Milkweed

Grabbed this shot while out walking at Forsythe. Desaturated and played with color channels in Bibble. Then I did a quick mask to lighten the dark center section to get the detail back. I also darkened the backround a bit to bring out the pod. I liked the color version, but this has a more somber feel. Thoughts appreciated
40D, 1/10 sec, f/32, ISO 100 100 mm macro.

Hi Dave,
I like the capture, It feels a bit tight in frame...would also suggest in boosting up the contrast...:cool:

Dave, I love milkweeds and I think your capture is very nice w/ all the seeds showing-Agree w/ Gus it feels a little tight in frame and a contrast boost would really put this together well. It's great!!

Third time's the charm. I think the other two said it but wanted to add that the technique you used is very creative and I love the final result.

If you're good at cloning, might want to think about getting rid of the pod at the bottom left of the frame. I'm finding my eye is distracted by the intense color.

Thanks to everyone for the comments and guideance. It seems I still have this habit of either not getting in quite close enough, or just a touch too close. I need to work on that:). Do you think this would have worked if it were closer in to just include the seed pod itself? Sort of an abstract pattern of seeds type shot?

I took some images of these this autumn and found that getting right up on them almost from behind the pod looking at the "fluff" from the side is a nice angle. You used f32 and got a lot of blotchy BG in your image so back down on that and try to make it more of a localized focus and let the rest blur out.

Hey, the best part of photography is you always have next year!

Hi Dave Like it a lot and had some great suggestions Tightening the crop and bumping the contrast would enhance the image !!! I like it a lot !!!

Thanks again to all and I will certainly work with your suggestions. Funny that you should mention moving in on just the fluff because I have several files of just that shot from the same day. Maybe I will also work with one of them and post to get some more advice. Thanks again
Regards, Dave

I love milkweeds can't wait to see some of your other shots!!