I photographed this Maximilian Sunflower during my last visit to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. I was not planning to photograph this flower but a friend of mine that was there photographing wildflowers as well found this flower and offered me the opportunity to photograph it. He had chosen such a great subject that I could not pass it up. The background is the horizon silhouette and some tall native grasses growing just behind the flower.
The Maximilian Sunflower is a Texas Native prairie perennial. It is a very desirable range plant as it is consumed by livestock. It produces a heavy crop of seeds, thus it is also a valuable plant for wildlife. It was named for the naturalist Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, Germany, who led an expedition into the American West in the 1830s.
This image was taken with my Sony A7R II Digital Camera using my Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro Lens. The camera was set on Aperture Priority mode with the aperture set at f/8, shutter speed at 1/30th of a second and the ISO set at 400. I used a tripod for camera support and Wimberley Plamp to support the flower. I used only natural light to light the subject. I used the Kirk FR-2 Focusing Rail to capture six photographs and brought them together into one image using Photoshop and the Focus Stacking technique. I finalized the image using Lightroom and Nik Color Efex Pro.
This image is best seen large. Click on the image to enlarge it. Can you find the mosquito? Also, you can access the profile for this plant by clicking here. Please use the section below to post your comments, questions or suggestions.
© 2016 T. Kahler Photography
The mosqito’s name is Waldo. Are we sure she/he is still among the living? Or perhaps chose an idyllic locale to enjoy his/her last moments.
Nice shot. Good on your friend for finding the composition.
Thanks Lucas. I don’t think “Waldo” lives. I zoomed in a few times on the six photos and it was not changing position. So it chose a good spot for sure.