It looks as though Ana's decided to give us a miss. True, things can change, but as of this morning Hilo's looking at only rain and moderate winds.
In April we planted a pair of clove trees at the zen garden's border. We always try to use native plants, but the growth form (and rate) of cloves were what we needed at that end. Crush a leaf . . . smell cloves! I'm not sure when they'll actually put out buds.
This morning I thought the clove leaves had fine HDI-worthy color gradations. I shot a few against the sky, but (sorry) those shots were boring. Leaves against contrasting background again, woo hoo. So I tried to look differently at the little tree (6' or so tall). I saw that I could get positioned looking straight down a branch, focusing on the top leaves and letting the others radiate as they would. I used a variety of apertures and this one was the best compromise between having the distant leaves and stems completely out of focus, and having them more or less in focus. I really didn't like the in focus shots.
Composing and focusing was difficult because the camera's screen was pointed to the sky. I had to whip off my shirt and make an impromptu "dark cloth." Fortunately, the only neighbors who can see me making the HDI know what I'm doing. Otherwise, the sight of a man taking off his shirt and putting over his head . . . well, you can imagine.
When I got inside I started googling "dark cloth/focusing cloth." View camera photographers absolutely need them. There's a lot to choose from. Then I found this. It made me wonder if I could lift up my t shirt, leave my head in, arms out . . . that would be a sight to see. I bet it would work, though. Maybe I'll try it and have Ruth shoot me doing it.
A few of the raindrops offer a self-portrait. Someday I'll really work at that. It could be amusing.