View Full Version : Narcissus
Jonathan Ashton
02-02-2010, 09:51 AM
I think this is some kind of dwarf narcissus- but I am not entirely sure.
Canon 50D Canon 100mm macro Tripod ISO 100 +2EV 1/4 sec f16
All comments welcome.
Julie Kenward
02-03-2010, 07:15 PM
Jonathan, this is beautiful! You did a lovely job of exposing for the whites by adjusting your exposure compensation. I do have a few questions for you. Any flash or softboxes used here (because you didn't note that in your stats) - if not, how did you go about lighting your image? Can you tell us a bit about the BG as well - is it natural or did you set something up? Interested minds want to know!
Personally, I think it feels a bit tight in the frame - both at the top and at the bottom. To me, this screams for a vertical image with a bit more at the top and several inches of stem at the bottom. If left as a horizontal, I would consider a square crop here so there isn't quite so much negative space on both sides. Also, I think a bit of CCW rotation would be great here, grabbing the center of that top leaf and lining it up with the center line of the stem. It's just a bit tilted.
Again...lovely work. I can't wait to hear how you lit it and if you did anything special in post processing (pp..)
Jonathan Ashton
02-04-2010, 02:50 AM
Thank you for the feedback Jules, I didn't do anything special - mainly because Barney (7 month old curly retriever pup) insists on helping me!
The day was fairly dull and rather cloudy,I took the image in the porch so there was fairly even lighting. I taped a couple of pieces of white A3 paper to the window and sat the plant about 14 in in front. As space was limited I chose the 100mm lens as opposed to the 180mm, I guessed +2 stops would be about right and after exposing I checked the histogram - it was! I used live view and this automatically provides mirror lock up - (and I have to admit finding the cable release with Barney around is not an easy task!).
In Adobe RAW I adjusted the Blacks and checked the white balance. I sharpened the RAW image at 40, 0.5, 80, opened in Photoshop, cropped a little and Smart Sharpened at 100, 0.2.
I agree about making a vertical shot but I think my wife wouldn't have been too keen as I would have had to cut quite a few leaves and other stems to get a clean shot:eek:. I have to admit I rushed the composition as by this time Barney was impatient for a walk. I will ensure the next macro shot takes on board the feedback I have been given - thanks again it is much appreciated.
P.S. I have just had another look at the plant and the distracting foliage had moved as it were, so I will have another go taking into consideration your suggestions.
Anita Bower
02-04-2010, 08:02 AM
Jonathan:
I have the same ones growing in my windowsill. I think they are a Narcissus. I like them because their smell is sweet but not overpowering.
I like how that one green leaf seems to frame the center flower. Jules' suggestion of lining it up is a good one. Lovely exposure! White on white is not easy. You did a great job. Nice focus and details of these little flowers. A square crop would look good.
I find that natural window light on an overcast day and using a tripod for a long exposure produces lovely light for macro flower photos. I use live view all the time for my macros--allows me to get focus right and eliminates that pesky cable release that gives me trouble even without Barney.
Re vertical--I had the same problem--I couldn't get a vertical without cutting the flowers, which I didn't want to do.
Looking forward to more of your images.
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