I've had problems getting some of my cameras to focus properly on red subjects over the years. I don't know why. You still got a great result in the end with this poinsettia. 😊👍

Thanks for the nice words Elizabeth.

I actually like how it looks now though, because I have another poinsettia picture I posted (the other one you saw) where the leaves are pretty much in focus, although those ones have green in them, so I dunno if that had anything to do with it. But now I've got one where it's not focused, and one where it's way more focused.

Another problem with photographing reds, which may make the shot look unfocused, is that reds seem to overwhelm digital camera sensors. I don't know how much, if any, post-processing you do, but I routinely find I can get a better result with my shots if I darken or even slightly desaturate the red channel. It allows details to come out that you can't see in the original. Even slightly underexposing a shot that is mostly red when you take it might help.

I think we all love poinsettias, and seeing your two shots got me in a holiday mood today, which is very dark and rainy here.

Some digital cameras are pre programmed not to photograph red, usually to off set red eye. My iPad same issue. I go into settings and change the settings and turn off auto.
I had that problem when taking pics of the red sun during the fires and smoke in my area.

Elizabeth ~ I have a Nikon and sometimes use that, but most of my pictures that you'll see in the database are from my iPad. When using the Nikon, I'll keep what you said in mind. I actually am beginning to like how the poinsettia picture looks though, because it kind of looks like an overwhelming sea of red with barely any other color.

Bea ~ I didn't know you could do that with iPad, thanks for the info.

bumplbea said:Some digital cameras are pre programmed not to photograph red, usually to off set red eye. My iPad same issue. I go into settings and change the settings and turn off auto.
I had that problem when taking pics of the red sun during the fires and smoke in my area.

Bea, thank you for that information. This was a smoke-filled valley during the fires also, and the sun was deep red, but came out like this in this cellphone shot. I couldn't figure it out.

Wow Zoë, that's great for a cellphone! Kudos to you for getting that shot.

Thanks Johannian. The photo was taken June 21 and I have since destroyed that phone and just got a new one this week. I also just ordered a DSLR, so I'll be good to go for photo-taking options.

All pics were taken during the day. Smoke cancelled out the sun. Shot of fire and smoke coming up the canyon behind us.



Zoe that's a really nice shot even though the sun leaves a hole in the sky. The combinations in the pic is very well balanced.... 👍A lot of my shots were exactly like that too. Hope your all safe now.

Bea I hope all is well with you. I was nowhere near danger; we just got the smoke. I have family and friends on the west coast and dreaded every new fire update. I can't imagine how terrifying it was for you to see flames that close.

Oh my goodness I didn't even know the fires were still going! That's horrible! I really hope you all stay safe.

But wow Bea, those photos are stunning. In the first one I see dark yellow, dark green, and then orange.

Zoe your right it certainly was challenging. We had to block the vents in the house so smoky in the house and ash covering all the plants. We didn't have to evacuate came close. Took in a couple of very frightened horses and dogs until the owners were located. This has happened before as climate change has began to effect so many especially the last 5 - 8 years.
Very glad to hear you are safe.


Happy Holidays! 🎄

Johannian.. .The pics of the fires were taken last Summer . When the rains finally came the fires were then contained.
1.1 million acres burned in Western Oregon at a cost of $609 million and over 4000 homes lost.
Sending healing blessings to all those who lost so much. 🙏🏽

bumplbea said:Johannian.. .The pics of the fires were taken last Summer . When the rains finally came came the fires were then contained.
1.1 million acres burned in Western Oregon at a cost of $609 million and over 4000 homes lost.
Sending healing blessings to all those who lost so much. 🙏🏽

Oh ok that's good that the fires aren't going anymore, but wow that's a lot of property burnt.

I remember before we moved to here in SD, when we were still in CA, at one point the only thing protecting us from the fire was one hill and Anderson Lake. We just saw the billows of smoke. I hate all the fires we got in CA, because we were in Morgan Hill for 6 years, and in all that time we saw four fires. The first one was because someone's car blew up, the second was because of firecrackers on the night of the Fourth of July, the third was from something else blowing up, and the last one was from all the lighting strikes. Man, fires are scary, and really damaging.

Johannian said:

Oh ok that's good that the fires aren't going anymore, but wow that's a lot of property burnt.

I remember before we moved to here in SD, when we were still in CA, at one point the only thing protecting us from the fire was one hill and Anderson Lake. We just saw the billows of smoke. I hate all the fires we got in CA, because we were in Morgan Hill for 6 years, and in all that time we saw four fires. The first one was because someone's car blew up, the second was because of firecrackers on the night of the Fourth of July, the third was from something else blowing up, and the last one was from all the lighting strikes. Man, fires are scary, and really damaging.

Johannian.. Are you glad that you are out of that area of Ca.now? Morgan Hill is a beautiful area. Sounds like you experienced enough out of control fires for a lifetime. I agree it is extremely scary experience. I have relatives in Santa Barbara and one year the fire was so hot and close to their home that the paint bubbled on their cars and home.

Last year fireworks were totally banned no sales stands ...due to fire risk and corona. That was the first year my horses and dogs weren't stressed out from fireworks . I spent many 4th of July's babysitting the horses trying to calm them . By the end of the night the horses were as sweaty as if they had run for miles just from the stress of fireworks .

Let's hope and pray that next year there will be no fires.🙏🏽

bumplbea said:


Johannian.. Are you glad that you are out of that area of Ca.now? Morgan Hill is a beautiful area. Sounds like you experienced enough out of control fires for a lifetime. I agree it is extremely scary experience. I have relatives in Santa Barbara and one year the fire was so hot and close to their home that the paint bubbled on their cars and home.

Last year fireworks were totally banned no sales stands ...due to fire risk and corona. That was the first year my horses and dogs weren't stressed out from fireworks . I spent many 4th of July's babysitting the horses trying to calm them . By the end of the night the horses were as sweaty as if they had run for miles just from the stress of fireworks .

Let's hope and pray that next year there will be no fires.🙏🏽

Are all horses like that?

Yes, I'm definitely praying that there will be no more fires next year.

Johannian said:

Are all horses like that?

Yes, I'm definitely praying that there will be no more fires next year.

Johannian...Hope to answer your question.
Most horses are fearful of fireworks unless they have been desensitized by them. Horses are fearful from the strange noises from fireworks and the light at night from them . The light almost blinds the horses. Horses eye reflect light at night hundreds of times more than our eyes. In order to see night predators. They are also color blind and see the tiniest movements much more than we would ever see. The have evolved form the wild herds when stocked by predators their response is fight or flight. Since they are essentially blinded by the fireworks light and the sounds are deafening to their ears their first response is to run.

They also have been known to eat my flowers and other delicacies in the garden . They see me coming they run too.

bumplbea said:

Johannian...Hope to answer your question.
Most horses are fearful of fireworks unless they have been desensitized by them. Horses are fearful from the strange noises from fireworks and the light at night from them . The light almost blinds the horses. Horses eye reflect light at night hundreds of times more than our eyes. In order to see night predators. They are also color blind and see the tiniest movements much more than we would ever see. The have evolved form the wild herds when stocked by predators their response is fight or flight. Since they are essentially blinded by the fireworks light and the sounds are deafening to their ears their first response is to run.

They also have been known to eat my flowers and other delicacies in the garden . They see me coming they run too.

Thanks for the detailed info, Bea. Much appreciated. I've learn everything I can about horses since we might be getting some over here. Definitely cattle.

If we do get any farm animals, we're keeping 'em away from the gardens!

Johannian..... I hope you can get a horse. They will teach you so much about yourself. I have Arabs and Tennessee walkers. Had horses all my life.
If you are interested in a first horse many are available for adoption and need good homes. Or check a barn near by that rents horses to purchase.
A good breed for a first horse is a Paint , Morgan, Mustang, Friesians or American Quarter horse are all known for easy going personalities.

Happy Trails

bumplbea said:Johannian..... I hope you can get a horse. They will teach you so much about yourself. I have Arabs and Tennessee walkers. Had horses all my life.
If you are interested in a first horse many are available for adoption and need good homes. Or check a barn near by that rents horses to purchase.
A good breed for a first horse is a Paint , Morgan, Mustang, Friesians or American Quarter horse are all known for easy going personalities.

Happy Trails

Thanks for the suggestions Bea! I've bookmarked your post so that I can check this message if/when we do get a horse.