Southern Magnolia Leaves
Southern Magnolia Leaves
The soft curved shape, the contrast of the brown/deep green, the almost perfect light green/yellow edging, the glossy surface, the deep shadows and contrast — those are the things which drew me to this image of Southern Magnolialeaves. If I’m being truthful my attention was initially the few Magnolia flowers that dotted this tree, but they soon became secondary to the attraction of the leaves themselves.

In yesterdays reading, Ray Ketcham featured a link to Josh Bradley’s blog which I thought I’d pass along. Josh has an interesting project ongoing called “Pen and Pad” (see tab at top of Josh’s blog) where he’s exploring minimal equipment for photographing, blogging and writing from the road. His equipment list includes: a 64GB 3G Apple iPad; an iPad camera connectivity kit; an Olympus E-P2 camera and a few lenses; whatever photo editing program(s) he chooses from the apps on the App Store; and a Stylus.

I dare say looking at the posts and photos from this project the viewer would never know they were created any differently then any other photo blog. This project probably strikes a cord with most photographers because we’ve experienced the drain of dragging around too much or too heavy equipment. Who among us hasn’t wanted to travel light without the distractions the logistics of equipment often brings?

10 Comments

  1. Beautiful . The same plant I have in my home . I love it .

  2. I got curious how you call this plant . Here, in Canada they call it – Indian Plant , while back in my ex-country we call it – FICUS :))

    • Hi Mariana, This is a Southern Magnolia tree in the photo and is very different then a Ficus tree. These Magnolia leaves are 6-7 inches, (15-18cm) long, very stiff and have a wax like finish. The Magnolia tree can grow to be 50-80 feet (15-25m) tall. Very large.

      A FIcus tree is a much smaller with small and softer leaves. I have a Ficus tree on my front porch that is perhaps 7 ft (2m) tall.

  3. I read the post by Ray and visited Josh’s site also. I am intrigued by his project and it definitely resonates with as I travel so much. I’ve shopped for the small point and shoot cameras but since I already have money tied up in my SLR equipment I stay there. In fact my SLR equipment is small and simple. I wish they made the camera kit for the ipad for compact flash.

    And, the Magnolia leaves have this Christmas feel to them with the red and green.

    Do you suppose Paul will buy the ipad now to go along with his S90?

    • Monte, I believe traveling light, or heavy, is all about compromise anyway. I’m sure you can shoot with a smaller format camera and post with an iPad, but would it be something you’d want to do all the time. You may be able to get 90% of the quality lightly equiped but that last 10% comes at some cost…often more/heavier equipment.

      I didn’t see the Christmas thing with these leaves, but understand how you got there.

      Paul didn’t seem very interested in an iPad. The S90 may hold him until he decides about making the jump to the M9…or should that be better described as a leap! :-)

      • Actually I’m pleased with what I have, so purchasing anything else is probably not going to happen. And, I agree, it may be a huge leap for Paul. :-)

  4. This is a wonderful image, bravo to you. Did you process it very much? What did you shoot it with?

    • Hi Chris, Thanks. The photo was made with my Nikon D700 and a 105mm f/2.8 macro lens. The post-processing included small adjustments with Topaz Simplify & Detail plus NIK Color Efex to give emphasis to the overall shapes and color contrast of the leaves.

  5. Very beautiful, indeed.