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Anita Bower
05-25-2010, 05:04 AM
I finally amended the garden soil enough for my one Peony plant to bloom. Joy!

Nikon D300, Sigma 105mm macro, indoors, natural light with foam reflector, 1/5 sec., f16, ISO 200, manual focus, manual exposure. tripod. PP: PS7.

Julie Kenward
05-25-2010, 07:52 AM
Is there anything better? LOVE peonies!!! Hate the ants but LOVE the peonies!

Nice detail here and the high key BG is nice against the deep red/pink of the flower. How did you light this, Anita? I'm wondering if a few reflectors wouldn't have opened up the shadows on the front petals a little bit more? Or did you use some?

Anita Bower
05-25-2010, 10:21 AM
Thanks, Jules! I only used a foam board reflector on the right, with window light coming in from the left. In pp, I initially lightened those dark areas, but then undid it--have mixed feelings about it. Here it is with shadows lightened in Elements 7. I also changed the color to more closely reflect the actual color of the flower. What do people think?

Fabs Forns
05-25-2010, 05:35 PM
Anita, I prefer the colors of the original, too much magenta on the repost.
I love the high key BG and the depth of field, thanks for sharing.

Christopher Miller
05-25-2010, 09:36 PM
Very nice details, Anita. I like the flower angle and high-key BG. Like Al, I prefer the colors in the original.

Ken Childs
05-26-2010, 01:37 PM
Anita, I like the colors of the original and the shadows lightened on the repost. Combine the the 2 and it will be perfect! :)

OvidiuCavasdan
05-26-2010, 02:39 PM
Very nice, like the DOF and color. I prefer the original.

Anita Bower
05-27-2010, 03:59 AM
Thank you, Ovidiu, Ken, Christopher, Fabs and Jules. I will take Ken's suggestion. Here is a dilema: The actual color of the flowers is closer to that of the second post than the first. I agree that the color of the first is more pleasing. What to do as a photographer?

Charles Wesley
05-27-2010, 05:45 AM
Anita,

I agree with Fabs on really liking the 1st post. The shadows IMO give the photo some depth.
Thanks for sharing...
____________________________
Charlie Wesley
St. Augustine Beach, FL
http://naturesphotographs.com

Anita Bower
05-27-2010, 05:58 AM
Thanks, Charles.