Last week I had the incredible honor of being invited to photograph the picking of Paradise Ridge Winery’s Estate grapes. Those who know me know that I have a passion for wine and the wine making process. So, when I was presented with this opportunity, let’s just say I was in the car before the phone hit the desk.
As I was walking between the vines I looked down and noticed a feather laying on the ground with rain water clinging to it. I was unable to continue on with my day until I photographed this feather. It was a heavily overcast day so everything was for the most part flat. Fortunately I had my Canon 580EX Speedlite in my back pocket. What doesn’t everyone carry a flash in their back pocket? Anyway, I whipped out the flash and stuck a dome diffuser on it then switched the unit into manual and set the zoom to 105 and the output to 1/128th power and popped the shot.
I really enjoy this photo because of the wonderful texture of the feather and the magnified ridges from the water droplets. I hope you enjoy it a much as I do.
Paradise Ridge Winery located at 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive • Santa Rosa, California.
Camera specs: Canon 1-Ds Mark II with Canons EF 24 – 70mm f2.8 lens @ 70mm, 250 sec at f / 8, ISO 800, Aperture priority, Flash set to manual, zoom to 105, 1/128th power, with a dome diffuser.
