MMDC Iris

[Roman Kurywczak]

OK all...here it is! I had this idea ever since my happy accident while doing some flowers earlier this week; http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=36756
So I decided to try my 3.5 in this direction. Last of my mom's Iris's. I purposefully overexposed the entire image by 3&1/3 stops and used the flash in manual mode at 1/8th power to bring out the details. I did many versions of this......including f11 as I was doing this outside. Late afternoon light with the Canon 1D Marklll and the Sigma 180mm macro at f3.5 for 1/60 sec. and ISO 100 hand held. I have converted this to B&W as well as different amounts of sat/contrast.......depends on mood as to which I like best. I am really liking this technique and may play around with it some more this weekend.........besides, I already own a BPN hat......strange enough it says "Darth" on it.
Just want to give you all a few ideas to experiment with.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Here's the B&W version

[Anita Bower]

I love both of them! Each has a different feel to it. Being a color person, I'll go with the first. Fabulous soft colors and simplified shapes. Looks like a watercolor.

[denise ippolito]

Roman, I think you are onto something! I really like the soft color palette of the first one.

[Richard Lovison]

Roman,

As with Anita, I like both of them. What I find interesting is that the softness of the first, due to less contrast, lessens the effect of the limited depth of field. It is more noticeable in the B&W that the front petals are soft. But that doesn't detract from the image... they both are stunning.

[Kaushik Balakumar]

Absolutely lovey image. Very creative lighting Roman. And simply love that B&W conversion - it is a stunner.

[Julie Kenward]

I really prefer the softness of the first colored version. I drew a purple iris once in school - literally the only artistic thing I ever accomplished until I picked up a camera - and this very much reminds me of that drawing. It's quite stunning in its simplicity and the muted softness says "iris" to the nth degree.

[Fabs Forns]

You should quit landscapes and take flowers :) :) :)

Delicate and artistic, I'd print it give it to your loving wife!

[Christopher Miller]

My vote goes to this one! THIS IS THE WINNER!

[Richard Lovison]

After reviewing all the entries, I narrowed my favorites to three. But every time I come back to take a look at this image, one thought comes to mind... a photography technique that was extremely well executed. In my opinion, THIS IS THE WINNER, whether it be the color version or the B&W.

[Kaushik Balakumar]

THIS IMAGE IS THE WINNER.
My Vote !

[Dave Mills]

Hey Roman, Very different and beautiful. THIS IS THE WINNER! My Vote

[John Lowin]

Hi Roman, Congratulations, I understand we tied for the favorite image in this competition. Your Iris image is amazing and I'm eager to experiment with your technique. The look you achieved is so painterly and delicate. I am now waiting for our Iris to bloom to try it out. The weather here in WI has been so cold and wet that it may be quite a while until that happens. Once again, Congratulations. I think that you should have won outright!

This web site has been such a great learning experience for me, my thanks to all of you that have brought me to this point - John

[Mike Moats]

Hey Roman, I have to admit I totally missed this shot when veiwing all the entrant. Love it and congrats.