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Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)


Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
Photo Information
Copyright: Niek Bouwen (SunToucher) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2227 W: 199 N: 2484] (9078)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-14
Categories: Trees
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 18-200 Zoom F3.5-6.3 DC, Tiffen 62mm UV
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/40 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Limburg 2007
Date Submitted: 2007-05-03 14:10
Viewed: 833
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I thought it was time again to post something else than a landscape. This photo was taken on the last evening of my stay in the south of th province Limburg. Just after I did my last attempt of capturing a sunset. I am certain that I will post a photo of that particular sunset soon since it has a wonderful tree featured in it.

On my way back to my tent I walked by this Prunus tree and noticed this single flower inviting me to capture it. I didn't bring along al my gear, so I had to use my 18-200 lens and my onboard flash. I was actually pleasant surprised about the outcome.

I am actually not 100% sure if this is the Prunus Spinosa. I know for sure it is part of the Prunus family, but I couldn't find the best data to verify my thought. So if one of you can confirm the ID, than please do so.

Anyway, hereby some information on the Prunus Spinosa (Blackthorn):
The Blackthorn is a large shrub or a small tree of the genus Prunus, botanically Prunus spinosa. Its fruit is called the sloe, or in the Scots language, slaes.

The blackthorn is native to Europe, western Asia, and north Africa. The common name is derived from its dark bark and skin, and from the thorns or spines that it bears. In Ireland, a straight blackthorn stem is traditionally made into a walking stick or club-like weapon named a shillelagh (pronounced "shi-LAY-lee").

It is covered in white flowers in early spring, and is often the first flowering tree in the countryside in its native regions. It bears a fruit called the sloe, which is similar to a small damson or plum, suitable for preserves, but too tart to eat (unless deeply frozen, as it is practiced in Eastern Europe); in rural England so-called sloe gin is made from them, though this is not a true gin but a liqueur. In Navarra, Spain, patxaran is a popular liqueur made with sloes. Sloes can also be made into jams and if preserved in vinegar are similar in taste to Japanese umeboshi.

The blackthorn is extensively planted for hedging and for cover for game birds. Some forms are grown for ornament and flower. The foliage is sometimes eaten by the larvae of Lepidoptera including Emperor Moth, Common Emerald, November Moth, Pale November Moth, Mottled Pug, Green Pug, Brimstone Moth, Feathered Thorn, Brown-tail, Yellow-tail, Short-cloaked Moth, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Double Square-spot and the Black and Brown Hairstreaks.

The expression "sloe-eyed" comes from the fruit, perhaps derived from the description of Meg Giry in Gaston Leroux's novel The Phantom of the Opera.

WIKI did it again

The tech talk and PP talk in this photo is really simple. Shot in RAW, adjusted exposure with +1/2 a step and adjusted white balance for a slightly warmer tone. Converted to JPEG. Small levels adjustment, USM, frame, resize and USM.
SkyF, JoseMiguel, Shoot_Score, claudine, XOTAELE, ramthakur, asiivalceni has marked this note useful
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To JoseMiguel: shadowSunToucher 1 05-04 01:59
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Niek,

I like the simplicity and sharpness of this shot. The fill flash was effective in giving you a black background to set off your white blossom. It's interesting that we both posted a centrally placed subject today. I think they both work.

Thanks for sharing
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • Bass Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 101 W: 0 N: 115] (467)
  • [2007-05-03 21:25]
  • [+]

Hi Niek,
simple, nice, delicated. The composition is great, I only would like to say that the leaves don´t look too good, they take out the importance of the flower.
TFS
Regards
Brenda

Hi Niek,
Good to see this uncomon post from you.
I like the composition made all along the frame, and the clear details on the flower.
Is the shadow of the lens the dark part seen in the down petals?
Well done and thanks for share it.
Best regards,
JM

Hoi Niek,

Ja, dit is inderdaad iets anders... Vind het wel aardig, maar toch zou ik liever zoiets zien in normaal licht. Vooral als er dus delen in het donker blijven. [ Flits is voor mij nooit ideal. Vooral niet met witte bloemen. ]

Smiley for trying! Good note too! < NIKI did it again > Tfs, Jay

PS Probeer een volgend maal eens de blommetjes te vangen in het late middag- of avond-licht, he?

Hello Niek,
Good composition and lovely details in this delicate flower!
Well done on close-up work, subject is nicely isolated!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hallo Niek,

Is een mooi artistieke shoot van een mooie bloem. Heeft wel iets speciaals. Met name de bloem met z'n mooie hartje komt goed uit de verf. Je hebt weer je best gedaan.

Groeten Bob


Hello Niek,

Nicely artistic shoot of a beautiful flower. It has something special. Particularly the flower with his beautiful hart comes well from painting. Well done

Regards Bob

Una presentación estupenda.
Bellos colores y buen BG.
Un saludo, JL.

The beauty of this shot lies in its wonderful presentation, Niek.
You have shot and edited it in such a way that the entire attention is focused on the flower itself. Nothing else distracts. The mere hint of leaves around it gives it a natural touch, but the rest of the dark BG enhances the appeal of the white flower manifold.
TFS.

Hi niek, elegant composition with lovely flower, wonderful focus, great sharpness, very well done, have a great week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2007-05-04 17:00]

Hello Niek,
wonderful diagonal composition, and I like the dark BG a lot. It shows off this spring beauty perfectly. A lot of nice details and the sharpness is great.
Sky

Hi Niek ,
very nice image.
good BG and well composed.
thanks and regards
Saeed

Wow Niek!
What a beautiful composition. I love this lightning and subject! This dark BG is superb and I even like those little flairs left, they look like little diamonds shinning in the dark :) You used your flash in such an esthetic way, congrats!
Claudine

hallo Niek..
Sher schones Bilder..
ganz toll..
l.g. ella

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3094 W: 234 N: 5897] (19892)
  • [2007-05-07 3:13]

Hello Niek,
A beautiful composition, very simple, yet with a lot of visual impact.
The dark BG really shows off the white blossom.
You captured it with excellent focus and light.
The DOF is perfect as well.
TFS. : )

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