Friday, November 22, 2013

The Garden in Motion

Today, I'm trying something different...so hopefully it works!

I'm always talking about how one of my favorite aspects of my garden is that it's always in motion. I can sit for hours and just admire the swaying grasses in a gentle breeze. Of course, you can't really capture that in a photo. As luck (and fate) would have it, I recently had to buy a new camera. While I'm a bit poorer, as a result, the new camera has the ability to capture video as well as still images. I haven't had as much time to play with it as I'd like...but thought I'd give it a try.

I can't get the video any bigger in the Blogger template, so make sure to click on "fullscreen" to see it best. Enjoy!


48 comments:

  1. Lovely grasses, beautiful accompaniment. Makes me nostalgic for autumn (not easy for this spring lover to do!)...Motion really is under-rated in gardens...Bravo!

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  2. Beautiful! You did a great job with your new camera. Of course I knew you would! I could look at the grasses in motion all day too. The view down the walk is especially mesmerizing.


    What is the grass with the blooms that look almost like ostrich feathers?

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  3. How peaceful! I think my blood pressure just lowered a notch or two watching this :)

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  4. Very cool! You'll be a pro with that new camera in no time.

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  5. Thanks, John…it took me a while to figure out how to use the video function, but it's not too confusing once you get the hang of the basics :-)

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  6. Thank you Scott! I'd love to find that one.

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  7. Beautiful, Scott. May I ask what camera?

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  8. Thanks, James! It's a Canon Eos Rebel T3i

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  9. Wow you're video has put me into a blissful trance. I want to do the same thing! Judy and I were just talking about whether she should buy a new camera with video for herself or just a video recorder for me.

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  10. That's a tricky one, Jason…I've never purchased a dedicated video camera before, so can't really give a comparison. I will say that if you have money invested in camera lenses already, you can exploit them for the videos as well. I like the big aperture, shallow DOF look…which I was able to accomplish with this lens.

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  11. Good job capturing that motion. The other thing in the garden I try to catch (unsuccessfully) is light and shadow.

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  12. absolutely, Jeannie…the play of light and shadow is fascinating…but always difficult to capture…still, we keep trying, right!

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  13. Adding a new skill set to your already impressive arsenal...you're a dangerous man behind a camera.

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  14. I always assumed that the photos you took of your deserted streets were down to timing and/or patience. Now I realize that you somehow live on a very quiet street. Very nice!


    Actually though, I'd prefer to hear the natural sound of your garden instead of music. It may not be "perfect" (there goes another darn airplane!) but it gives such a better experience of the space. Next one, right? :)

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  15. What a lovely, meditative video. I was lulled by both the images and the music. Unlike Alan, I like the music better than I think I'd like natural (or unnatural!) sound accompanying the film. The Miscanthus 'Malepartus' is wonderful - almost like a pampas plume. Do you cut it back completely each year?

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  16. Haha...exactly, Ricki...what's the saying, jack of all trades, master of none!

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  17. Haha...then even this video is a bit deceptive, Alan! Our street is fairly quiet, but we're just a block away from a very busy street. There is actually construction going on constantly now for the new light rail line going in on that street...so the ambient noise from those videos was a total cacophony of construction noise! If I can find the original video files, I'll post them to YouTube this weekend :-)

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  18. Haha...I agree, Jane...since the actual ambient noises weren't birdsong or whispering winds...but backhoes and jackhammers! Yes, I cut back the Miscanthus completely to the ground in mid-February (or whenever I see that first bit of green new growth at the base).

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  19. A very calming video Scott, I feel relaxed now after watching it! Great work on top of your fab photography skills. Love the way grasses sway gently with the breeze and your video captured them in motion perfectly.

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  20. Thanks, guys…glad you enjoyed it, it was really fun to put together!

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  21. Wow, Scott! Not only are you an awesome photographer; you are also amazing at making videos! I don't even know how to put music to one, or make those transitions from place to place like you did!

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  22. A perfect interlude for a cold grey November afternoon. Thank you Scott. Music details please :)

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  23. Scott, my 18-year-old son came in and said, "You're literally watching grass grow." I said, "Yes, isn't it beautiful?" It is very beautiful. Good job!

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  24. Very beautiful video. I never used my Nikon for video since I have a separate video camera, but the convenience of using the DSLR is tempting. The Canon does a great job and the idea of using different lenses is an inviting option. I like the music and it made a nice addition to the video.

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  25. I tried to comment earlier and had some issues with Disqus. :-/ Loved your video, especially the second scene with the backlight. Still lusting after your Tiger Eyes.

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  26. Beautiful and soothing. Never heard of this Disqus business; am used to being able to comment via my Wordpress identity.

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  27. Beautiful ! Where was Boots ?

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  28. What a magnificent work of art!

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  29. Donna@Gardens Eye ViewNovember 24, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    Scott I loved this...living pictures of your gorgeous gardens.

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  30. Thanks, Donna...glad you enjoyed my little "film" ;-)

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  31. Wonderful! I loved the musical accompaniment. You've upped the ante on creative posts!

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  32. Love this video, what is the bright yellow tree we see in some of the shots?

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  33. Thanks, Kris...I try ;-)

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  34. Thanks, Jen :-) I think you're probably thinking of the 'Tiger Eyes' Sumac.

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  35. Great video, Scott, I love the music. I like the coral colored grass, I hope it's Little Bluestem since I am trying to grow it next year.

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  36. Hi Hannah! Yes, it is indeed Little Bluestem! They get the most amazing fall color, don't they!

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  37. Love the grasses and the Pride and Prejudice background music. My favorite movie ever. Very peaceful!

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  38. That's awesome...I love that movie too...the soundtrack is one of my faves :-)

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  39. Scott - what an amazing video! I would love to have it on constant loop while I work during the day. The colors are stunning. Phenomenal job, as always.

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  40. Thanks, John…glad you enjoyed it…I find myself endlessly fascinated by grasses in the wind.

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  41. Very nice Scott! I love the grasses & use them extensively in our TN garden. Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  42. Thanks, Paul...so glad you liked the video :-) Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

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  43. Thanks! Glad you liked it :-)

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  44. That was very nice and gave a different perspective that I normally see. I hope your neighbors enjoy and appreciate your efforts.

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  45. That was so relaxing. Maybe your video could convince my Mum that grasses are ideal for when she's older and wants to garden less and enjoy the view more.

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