Springtime started to show its light in late February 2024. When March rolled around, we began seeing the first Bluebonnets, the State Flower of Texas. My social media feeds are full of photos of that and other wildflowers. That is inevitable. As in previous years, ICM photos of Bluebonnets have been absent from my social media feeds. Not anymore! I captured a scene with Bluebonnets just in time for this month’s ICM Photo Challenge (ICMPC). That’s the first photo in this post.
Taking advantage of Bluebonnets everywhere, I took a short walk in my neighborhood park, Copperfield Nature Trail, in Austin. Besides getting the “traditional” shots, I always look for new views of this common wildflower. Some color varieties include light blue, pink, white, and even an engineered maroon lupine! You can see those in this post.
This first image shows a camera’s vertical, intentional movement. It was captured with a shutter speed of 1/15 seconds at f/6.3 and ISO 125. The original scene is on the left.
I obtained two additional images with ICM: a cast-iron plant in our backyard. Sometimes, just the lightest movements allow the viewer to see what is being photographed. However, the allure of a full ICM can lead to so much more. Please look at these two photos and let me know which one you find more intriguing and pleasing. In the first image, the movement was very subtle. I used a shutter speed of 1/10 seconds at f/6.3 and ISO 125. Motion is more pronounced only toward the center of the image.
However, in the following image, I used a shutter speed of 1/8 seconds at f/16 and ISO 50 with more vertical motion.
I hope you have enjoyed this month’s ICMPC entry. The ICMPC rules are in Kathleen’s blog. Her most recent post is here.
Anne Sandler
Great ICM Egidio. I like the second one!
Egídio Leitão
Thank you so much, Anne. I’m glad you like the ICM.
Wind Kisses
Breathtaking. I think you have mastered the technique. I like the Emerald Flames.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you very much, Donna. ICM can be addictive. I often try to capture one every time I go out with my camera. Some end up being worth editing and publishing.
SoyBend
Your second image looks so cool, Egidio!
Egídio Leitão
Thank you so much, Siobhan.
Khürt Williams
Clever.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you.
margaret21
A glorious gallery! Though my favourite is actually the lush greens of the Cast Iron Plant.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you, Margaret. You are not alone in liking those lush greens. I often photograph the cast iron plant precisely for that reason and its textured leaves.
margaret21
An easy plant to love.
Dawn M. Miller
It is the interesting thing about photography, there is always something new to discover and try.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you, Dawn. You comment is perfect about photography.
Kathleen Jennette
I am not sure if my response went through either but if not, these are stunning, and you must just love the Bluebonnets there. That is one flower I haven’t seen here. Your ICM is just so soothing and beautiful, and as always, very inspiring!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks again, Kathleen. If you don’t mind my asking, what part of the world are you in? Maybe there’s a lupine variant in your neck of the woods.
Kathleen Jennette
Southern California. Very dry hard soil. Poppies are what we have and some lupines. Garden is harsh with the weather. Finicky.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Che simpatiche elaborazioni! 👍📸
Egídio Leitão
Grazie mille, Luisella.
Kathleen Jennette
Stunning! I wish we had Bluebonnets here, they are so pretty. You ICM is, as always, inspiring!
Egídio Leitão
Thank you so much for the compliment, Kathleen. Don’t you have some lupines in your area?
Rebecca Cuningham
Fantastic bluebonnets, Egídio! Bravo!
Egídio Leitão
Thank you, Rebecca.