Flowers of Spring

In my last entry, I posted some photos of ladybugs that I took a little while back.Personally, I really like them.I would have liked it better if I could get a larger magnification.You know, like get a close up of a fly's eyes or something.Maybe I'll do that when I get myself a decent macro lens or even a decent enough extension tube that will keep my AF-S lens functioning.

Anyways, in this entry, I'll be posting some photos of flowers that I've taken this past few weeks.

This is personally my favorite photo of a dandelion that I've taken so far.I even use it as my facebook profile picture

Another dandelion.But the focus isnt very accurate.I think it's becoz the dof is too shallow when I use the close up filter.and I didnt use a small enough aperture.

Dandelion from the side.Fortunately,most of the flowers are in focus.I had to practically lie on the ground to get this shot.Things that I'd do to get the shot that I want.

I believe this amazing looking yellow flowers is called Forsythia.At first I thought the shrub was covered with yellow leaves.But it was entirely cover with beautiful yellow flowers.

View of Forsythia from the ground up

Tulip bud.It's not yet in bloom

My favorite tulip shots.It shows tulips in 3 stage of blooming.A bud, half bloom and fully bloomed

The tulips are all bent in a weird angle.It's becoz we had a very strong 54km/hr wind the day before

Apricot blossoms just outside my apartment

A few days shy of full bloom

Beautiful bloom

More apricot blooms

Bugs of spring.

Nature fascinates me.There's no way around that.After a few months of experimenting with different types of photography,i've finally found my niche.I'm really into nature photography.I especially like doing macro shots of bugs and flowers.

But,yeah,i'm still shooting with my one and only Kit Lens.I bought some cheap-macro equipment a few months back.I've an extension tube,a reverse mount ring and a set of close up filters (+1,+2,+4,+8).I didnt like using the cheap extension tube i got off ebay.I lose the ability to autofocus and change aperture.I didnt use the reverse ring much because i dont like taking off my lens outside.Also,there's the problem with focussing and having to hold the lever for the aperture-i was afraid i might break it.So,that leaves me with my favorite close up filters.I use them all the time.I know my brother uses a macro adapter for his macro shots.But they're kinda expensive.I might buy them when i go home this summer.

Anyways,here are some photos taken a few days ago.It's Spring.So there's plenty of flowers and bugs around.But in this entry,i will just post photos of bugs.Photos of flowers will be posted later.

The small tree that I found this bug on was infested with its kin.

Some of these bugs are very good at posing.While others simply fly away when I point my camera.

I dont know what this bug is called.I saw it just hanging around on a leaf.This fella seems cool enough.

The same bug from a different angle

Another 7-spotted red-backed ladybu

Ladybugs mating

Kit Lens

When i first bought my DSLR,i didnt really know what type of photography i really wanna get into.Landscape photography was kinda cool,so was macro.But most people expect photographers to be able to take great portraits.I honestly didnt know where to start.Also,i didnt know much about photography back then,either.

My Nikon D5100 came with a 18-55mm kit lens.I'm quite thankful of that fact.The kit lens is truly a good beginner's lens.You get to experiment with all sort of photography and find your real interest.
Yes,kit lenses are quite crappy when it comes to quality.It's terrible in low light situation.But in properly lit scenes,it performs quite well.

I'm still a novice photographer. I've been taking photos for less than a year.The equipment that i use is really modest.I dont even own a prime lens at this moment.I know other photographers had said this before,but your equipment truly doesnt matter.It's the way you use the equipment that you have.I do not deny the fact that i feel inferior whenever i go out shooting and meet other photographers armed with their full frame DSLRs and awesome telephotos zoom or prime lenses.But,the kit lens is what i have with me and i guess i just have to use it the best way i can.

Just because my camera is modest,doesnt mean my photos are total crap.I am quite proud of some of the photos that i've taken.

But i will be buying a prime lens at the end of this year.I havent decided whether i'll be getting the 35mm or 50mm one.But i'll cross that bridge when i get there.:)

The River Volga

I currently live in the Russian city known as Volgograd.It's not a very popular place.I doubt many people have heard of it.Anyways,it's a peaceful city located along the River Volga,which is actually the longest river in Europe.I believe the river begins in the North,near Moscow and flows south,draining into the Caspian Sea in the South.

My current apartment is located a mere 200 meters from the riverbank.It's one of my favorite place in this city.Whenever the weather permits,i would make my way down the hill to get down to the riverbank.
I wouldnt say that the view there is spectacular in any way.It's just a river.But it still is interesting.There's hardly any people there.It can get pretty dangerous,i have to admit.I just try to go there when i think i'll be safe on my own.Usually very early in the morning.

Pedestrian crossing sign.Russians drivers can be very reckless,but one thing that i've noticed after 4 years,is the fact that they always stop for pedestrians to cross the road.Very,very rarely,they keep on driving and ended up running over someone.

It's a boat located on the riverbank.I dont think it works anymore.I took a closer look and discovered that the engines have been removed.When the tide rises,the boat will look like it's sailing.Even though it's actually nailed firmly on the ground

A portrait view of the same boat.Look at the very deep blue water.the river was flowing very very fast that day.It was actually that blue.Very minimal post processing used here.

Yes,i'm obsessed with this boat.That's why i have 3 photos if it.:P

A pole of some sort located on the riverbank.I think people used to put up flags here.But obviously,they arent using it for that purpose anymore.The pole is rusted beyond repair.
NB! I do have an obsession with blue sky.Throughout my blog posts you will see similar photographs.

A view of my favorite boat,up close and personal.

After half an hour of googling,i'm pretty convinced that this bird is called "Black-Headed Gull".Any bird lovers out there?Please correct me if i'm wrong.
Armed with only a modest kit lens,this is the best shot that i can get of a bird in midflight.Even at this size,you can see how noisy the photo is.
It's my first attempt at wildlife photography,i aim to get better at it.

I guess that;s all the photos that i'll be posting for the time being.I go to the riverbank regularly.But i dont always bring a camera with me.And even if i did,not all my photos turn out good.I guess i'll be posting more on this subject later.Thank you for reading :D.

Back to Blogging

I had stopped blogging for almost a year now.I cant really say why.Maybe i was too lazy to write,maybe i just didnt feel like blogging anymore.I dunno.Anyways,i've decided to start writing again.

Well,i actually wanna tone down on the writing part.I simply wanna post some of the photos i took.
I love photography,i always have.But until recently,my photos were limited to those taken using my modest point and shoot and sometimes,my cellphone camera.I bought my first DSLR last December.
It was not a hasty decision.I have had my eye on the Nikon D5100 for awhile.For 2 years,to be exact.I just didnt have the money to actually buy it.Long story short,i bought the camera finally because this year (2013) is my fifth year living in Russia.Next year,i'll be graduating and it is rather unlikely i'll be returning back here.

I had always been fascinated with the people,the nature and everything about my surrounding.The Russian-ness of it all.I wanna record it.I wanna make all this memories last.For the past 4 months,i had been shooting photos like crazy.I even went out to take photos on a blistering cold -20'c days.Yeah,it was a bad idea..my camera didnt have weather-proofing and all that cool stuff.But what matters is that i got the shot that i want.

Will be writing more about my journey learning the bells and whistles of a DSLR later.

A week ago,i bought myself a new smartphone-a Samsung Galaxy Note 2.It was long overdue.I have been without a smartphone for ages.It was terribly hard to stay in touch with friends and family.So,camera-wise..
the Note 2 camera is pretty decent in my opinion.Will be writing more on that later..
Well,some of the photos that i'll be posting here in this blog are taken using the Note 2 camera.You'll see just how sharp the images are.

Well,i think that's pretty long for an introductory blog entry.I really,really wish i could write a little less.
But i simply cant help myself.
Thank you for reading.Enjoy the photos that i'll be posting.