For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Sunflowers

I unexpectedly managed to get away for a few days down to the coast and will post the pictures later. On the way back yesterday I managed to get these two stuning pictures of a field of sunflowers but cannot decide which I like best of the two as they have just slightly different perspectives.

Which do you prefer? You can click on them for enlargements.

Picture 1.
Picture 2.

54 comments:

Tony nile life said...

Grown for the oil or seeds.

Max-e said...

Difficult choice Joan, but I finally settled on the first one. I left a reply for you on my site.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Tony, these are mostly for oil but with the recent droughts they are having in the area, the crops are in bad shape. These sunflower heads are not half the size of what they should be.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Max, I seem to favour that one too. Left another comment on your blog too.

No Blog said...

Difficult to decide Joan but I love the on at the top too.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Lawrence. I think the position of the buildings makes a difference.

Silvia Pato said...

First one, Joan. Good job!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Silvia. :) It reminded me of van Gogh's painting.:)

Andrea said...

Difficult to choose.
Maybe I like more the composition in the second.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Andrea. The composition of the second tend to be more towards todays modern thinking on photography.

Anonymous said...

Both are pretty good Joan but I prefer the first one too. They are probably grown for seeds and oil. =)

Jose's World said...

Easy, the first one, but where are the bees? Are you not a bug photographer?

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Ken. Sunflower oil is used quite extensively here so I am not sure what these were planted for.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jose. I was aiming at a bee but just as I pressed the shutter it flew off so this is all I was left with. :)

Diane AZ said...

Hi Joan, I like the first one best because it has more dark green in the foreground, and seems to invite the viewer into the image more than the second one.

Gaelyn said...

Joan, what a gorgeous view of endless sunflowers. Tough choice, but I like the first one best because it so clearly shows the building and mountainous background. Look forward to coastal shots.

Anonymous said...

This reminds me of driving through Kansas with the Rockies way off in the distance. Sorry, I'm no help here, I like them both.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Diane. That is exactly the same reason I prefer it. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Gaelyn. This was such a beautiful sight to see so early in the morning. Made my day start of with a smile.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! Thanks Steve. It is a tough choice anyway. :)

Craig Glenn said...

Number one by far! I love that photo J! Very well done.

Craig

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Craig. :)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: No choice involved, the composition on the first one is a winner. I love a field of sunflowers.

Becky said...

Tough choice! They are beautiful, sunflowers are my favorite, so bright and cheery! #1 I think!

Mary said...

I really like photo #1 When I enlarge it the house in the background is so perfectly placed to go with the beautiful field of flowers. The sort of thing you see on a calendar and go..."wow..wish I took photos like that!"

Unknown said...

Beautiful images. Happy new year to you...Thomas

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Tom. This was such a beautiful sight. Thank goodness I keep my camera with me wherever I go. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Becky. They are a wonderful, cheerful sight to see.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Gosh thanks Mary. That is very kind of you.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Thomas. A fantastic 2010 to you too.

Lunachance said...

I prefer the first image as it allows the eye to travel the entire distance of the farmland. The dark green foreground is a great resting point where the eye can start the journey around the image. The sunflowers dominate the photo and flood the picture with happiness. The tree stand and buildings are taller, and more important in this view, and they give the middleground a completion that the second picture lacks. I also like the subtle mountains that bring the eye to the sky and completes the total scene. Did you notice that your image is one section of the color wheel (blue, green, yellow)?

Cheers,
Lunachance
Redmond, WA

Anonymous said...

Joan, What beautiful photos!! Amazing. I think I like the first one, because that building is nicely centered, accenting the field. Wow, what a beautiful sight! Ah, this makes me dream of summer!

Päivin päivät said...

I love both of them! The 1. one is so beautifully set, so perfect.

But perhaps I like even more the 2. one. There is so much space and air in it, and the field seems even more endless than in the 1. one.
I get such strong vibrations of freedom and easy breathing and enough-space-for-my-big-dreams looking at it. So very lovely!

Päivi

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Lunachance. That is a very comprehensive description and much appreciated. No, I did not notice the colors until you remarked on it. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Stacey. Not to worry, summer will soon be here. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Päivi. I could make up my mind which one I like more. They give me a sense of being able to breath too.

FAB said...

The first one Joan. Don't ask my why...it's just RIGHT. FAB.

Anonymous said...

After the clicking bit and a lot of study I notice there are no bugs of any description on the sf plants
so I am going to say no 1 because the hills in the background are clearer . is it cable mnt??
knowing my guess It will be in a different continent altogether

Anonymous said...

These fields are always amazing for me to see. It does something to me deep inside. They both are beautiful shots Joan.

Rambling Woods said...

Oh beautiful....glad you could get away..I kind of like the first one, but both are great...Michelle

Wendy said...

*GASP*!! Joan!! How stunning!! Sunflowers are my favorite flowers, I would give anything to see a huge field of them like this! It's like they're all looking at you :) Both photos are beautiful but I do like the second one the best. Wow!

Becky said...

I guess I like the first one, maybe because the detail is clearer. Did you know Sunflowers follow the sun? They will turn their heads to the sun as it changes positions during the day.
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Frank. I always trust those feelings too.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Tony. You are right, no bugs in this one. :)

No it is not Table Mountan which is much more south. This is part of the Magalies mountain range which is one of the longest we have.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Bernie. Photograraphs never do proper justice to scenes like this as they are breathtaking to see.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I wish I could find a field of sunflowers like this to photograph. I am torn between the two shots, but has settled on the first one.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Michelle. A tough choice for sure. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You are so sweet. Thanks Leeloo. :) It was so wonderful to see so early in the morning and I can see why they are your favorites.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Becky. I am like the sunflowers too as I also follow the sun. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jonker. Great to have you back. Took this near Kroonstad but I can see they have not had enough rain there.

Unknown said...

Wow - these are both amazing Joan! I LOVE sunflowers, so thank you very much for sharing these with us!

Out of the two, I like the second one better. I like the way the background is framed, how the trees are over to the left instead of right in the middle. Of course the top one is gorgeous too. :o)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Penny. The second one does adhere more to todays rules of photography and Each person sees something different in a photograph so it is hard for me to choose a favorite. :)

myonlyphoto said...

The first Joan. But both of them are truly amazing. That is lot of sunflowers, I wonder if the fields are full of birds and rodents, and probably pray birds. After all very beautiful view. Thanks for sharing. Anna :) PS Happy New Year my friend.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Anna. This was such an amazing sight and could not pass up the opportunity to take pics of it.

You have a wonderful year too my friend.