Chrysalis Chiaroscuro

One more try...

This chrysalis was on my kitchen table with sidelight coming in from the window. I had blue paper behind it for the background and used several shots and Helicon Focus to get it all in focus front to back including the stick.

To get the chiaroscuro effect, I adjusted the levels sliders to make the midtones go dark and I used the HueSat adjustment to remove the blue color from the background which made it go black ( at least on my monitor). Then I softened it a bit with Gaussian blur since it seemed a bit harsh to me and still does. Not sure how to make it look softer without losing the sharpness. Any thoughts?

Canon 50D, 100mm macro, f11, 1.6 sec exposure, ISO 100

Patti, Here is a link to Fabs' orton effect in photoshop. You can put it on a separate layer and lower the opacity then add a layer mask and w/ a reduced opacity brush paint in some details. Hope that it helps you w/ the look you are after.
Intersting comp and I like the way you have illumated it.:)

Denise, Thanks! I didn't see the link to Fabs' Orton method, but I searched the forum and found the link in another of your posts. It's the same way I've done it before. I gave it a try and it helped, but I think it is the green color that is bothering me. I tried to desat just the green, but that looked washed out. I'll just have to play with it some more when I have some time.

Patti

Patti, I like the green color and the hint of branch at the top of frame. I think the level of sharpness is ok, as the lighting makes for a soft look anyway. I would probably want to lower the saturation of the yellows a bit. Nicely done!

Patti, Thanks for including the link. I guess I had a brain freeze and forgot it:confused: I think tweaking the saturation is a good idea.:)

Patti, I like the look - it reminds me of a moon in eclipse or a spaceship in outer space:) I think the yellow saturation tweak would be nice.