Greg Molyneux Photography

Tag: bokeh

  • World Between Worlds

    World Between Worlds

    100mm macro photograph of a black swallowtail caterpillar set atop dill.
    World Between Worlds — 100mm | f/4 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/400

    What of the caterpillar? The two act play in a life lived twice. First bounded to a potted dill long gone to seed. Nothing more to do than eat. Eat and pray—pray your striped camouflage is enough to ward off prey. Birds whiz hither and dither somehow tricked by the ruse or warned off by its bright colored reticulated pattern. Color often means danger in the many corners of the animal kingdom, though I’m not sure that is the case here.

    Still I pause to wonder does she know what comes in act two? Should she endure to soon spool up into her silken cocoon to wait and to transform. A miraculous metamorphosis awaits. A death to one life followed by transformation and rebirth into another. Resurrection to new life. A wonder to behold.

    How would such a complete change of our physical being affect our lives and our self-awareness? What would it mean to become so fully remade? What then would it mean to be human? What then would the caterpillar think of us?

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  • Peony Leisure

    Peony Leisure

    35mm portrait orientation photo of a single bright pink peony blossom. Shallow depth of field and smooth bokeh frame out a pollinating insect flying to the flower.
    Peony Leisure — 35mm | f/1.4 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/1250

    may peonies spring
    bright puffs to float you away
    to the home right here

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  • Heaven Scent

    Heaven Scent

    35mm dreamy photograph of pink lilacs fresh bloomed and glowing in silky smooth bokeh.
    Heaven Scent — 35mm | f/1.4 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/1000

    flowering lilac
    our fragrant welcome to spring
    atonement breathing

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  • The April Fool

    The April Fool

    Moody 35mm photo of a yellow daffodil blossom shot wide open with a bokeh rich shallow depth of field.
    The April Fool — 35mm | f/1.4 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/320

    The April Fool tramples his path
    Running roughshod through this world
    Joyous conceit
    Close-minded and haughtily assured
    Gilded, unperturbed

    Dazzled masses froth over such trappings
    The success, the power, the sprawling paper card manse propped up on the hill
    How do I get mine?
    Follow the April Fool
    For he knows not he knows nothing

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  • Autumn Intonation

    Autumn Intonation

    35mm photo of a quick fire hydrangea bathed in rich golden light. The autumn pinks, yellows, and oranges of the flowering bush explode in a panoply of autumn color backdropped by smooth bokeh.
    Autumn Intonation — 35mm | f/1.4 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/1250

    Autumn colors burn with such righteous intensity it’s as if we can breathe it in and hear its glow serenade at the core of our heart. The last golden ember of a great fire poised for transcendence. As a symphony to all senses it plays true to a cultivated soul. It’s a paradox, of course, nature revealing the esoteric mystery of life’s fated dance with death while veiled in a golden cloak of unspeakable beauty. The death of life colored in celebration for its promised rebirth. Autumn intones this ministry to the world. A miraculous offering made for those with the keen sense to receive.

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  • Walled Off

    Walled Off

    35mm sepia photograph of an old wooden structure marked by leading lines, knotted wood, and a rusted iron locking loop.
    Walled Off — 35mm | f/1.4 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/160

    And now for something completely different. I made my way to Batsto Village on Sunday. Autumn peak is still a ways out, but the short jaunt made for a solid photowalk regardless. Temperatures were warm with mostly masked park goers aplenty. It was one of those dress for all seasons kind of days. Toasty in the sun, cool in the shade. As my friends played about with their tiny humans, I meandered listlessly about the old iron works village. Some noticeable changes since my photowalk in 2014, including the loss of some large maple trees. Such is the passage of time.

    I spent ten minutes with my camera making photos of a building I once described as a weird barn-esque pseudo covered bridge type building sided in evenly spaced, repetitive wood slats. The leading lines speak to me. There is an old, weathered door with a rusted iron loop which once made part of a locking mechanism. Above is the photograph, treated in sepia to lend visual to the structure’s age. I’m not certain what to call this kind of photography? Street? Architectural? Nonsense? I suspect this is one of those photos I enjoy but doesn’t land well with the masses. But that’s OK!

    Music and the world lost an icon and virtuoso today. Rest easy, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen. The stardust of the riff master has returned to the universe.

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  • Dahlia Dreams

    Dahlia Dreams

    100mm macro photograph of a pink dahlia blossom with soft focus and smooth bokeh creating a dreamy look.
    Dahlia Dreams — 100mm | f/3.5 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/125

    Serving up a soft focus dahlia on a Friday afternoon. Smooth and inviting this flower grows to soothe. When viewed through a macro lens we come close to the tiny tubular petals emblematic of the dahlia. These petals are numerous as they are fascinating. There must be 50 our more making up each full flower. This late season dahlia came to me by way of another splendid Eastlin Floral Design bouquet. As ever, Erin expertly plies her craft.

    I am going to miss photographing flowers. As we pivot to autumn the opportunities grow fewer. As is the way of things. As I reflect back on this years floral work, I am satisfied with some of the photographs I have made. I have said it before and will again, were it not for flower macros I would never have learned to handle myself with a camera. The broad, sweeping landscapes would have never come to be. It is good to stick to roots that bear fruit, and I am happy to stick with my floral friends. Looking forward to honoring you again next year.

    My heart grows a little bit softer remembering the inexplicable tragedy that struck 19 years ago today. May we all find a little more ease in troubled times.

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  • Lilium Inter Spinas

    Lilium Inter Spinas

    100mm macro photograph of an unidentified yellow lily. 6 stamen with prominent anthers circle about the flower in an even pattern, blended by smooth bokeh.
    Lilium Inter Spinas — 100mm | f/3.5 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/400

    The lily among the thorns. As it is in Latin it is in life. Beauty bounded in time. The glove of power sleeved in subtlety. The self-governed restraint necessary for functioning freedom. Dualities of life shaded in paradox. Polarities bring balance. Gifting equilibrium to produce a harmonious stasis. Yet there is discord. An episodic if unpredictable dissonance that plays in temporary favor to tip the scales. Here there is emotion, often times uncomfortable and burdensome. It is here we are watered. It is here we learn to grow. I caution you yet, resolve not to reduce everything to a binary—it will prove a crutch. For life is seldom so simple.

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  • Bloom Squad

    Bloom Squad

    85mm photo of several purple coneflowers spread in full bloom. Smooth bokeh and shallow depth of field move the eye in and out of the picture.
    Bloom Squad — 85mm | f/1.2 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/6400

    I happened myself into an opportunity to shoot a Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens for the first time on Saturday. Ho boy is it something else. This beast is the size of a grapefruit and weighs in at a hefty 2.26 pounds. You feel this lens. It’s a fine piece of engineering, and the chunk of glass within its blackened frame is prodigious. Everything about this lens means business. Cupped in your hands you feel every bit the seasoned photographer.

    Its large size and weight is a well matched companion for the equally robust Canon 5D Mark III body. The pairing works well for me because I have large hands and enjoy extra weight as a preference. Smaller handed people not looking for a workout beware, as the heft may portend a limiting factor. I was in my element with both the weight and the ergonomics of the camera and lens combo. Though an hour plus of intense shooting left my right hand barking.

    The image quality is where this beefy bad boy holds it down. I spent the entirety of my time shooting wide open, and I am beyond impressed with the results. Tack sharp, even wide open, killer bokeh, minimal barrel distortion, and fantastic color reproduction. Here you are only seeing a test photo made of my purple coneflowers, but this lens earns its reputation as a portrait lens. Rented for such a purpose, I used this lens on the beach to make birthday portraits for my dear friends’ one year old. We could not be more pleased with the results. Now I am left sitting here thinking I need this 85mm lens. Shut up and take my money, Canon.

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