Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Calla lily

  1. #1
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    586
    Threads
    35
    Thank You Posts

    Default Calla lily

    Last summer and fall I experimented making close-up images of various flowers, generally with magnifications greater than 1-to-1 and, in most cases, shall DOF. In most cases, the flower completely fills the frame and extends beyond it on all sides. This calla lily was one of my first attempts. Here are the technical details:
    • Canon EOS 5D with Canon 180 mm macro lens, Kenko extension tubes, and tripod support;
    • 0.4 seconds at f/3.5
    • ISO 100
    • Manual focus, shutter spead, and aperture
    • RAW capture converted with flourescent white balance
    • Potted plant in an office building under flourescent lighting



    Although not planned when making the exposures, I found that I had two similar compositions that I prefer stitched as a vertical panorama. Combining the two only extended the image a small amount, but allowed me to blend the sharp portions of both to generate an image that is sharp everywhere I want it to be while retaining the shallow DOF I was after (I had other exposures with smaller apertures, but they brought too much of the image into focus). The only other Photoshop work other than the RAW conversion was a some cloning to help the two images blend together and to fill in a narrow vertical rectangle in the upper right because the upper image was a little to the left of the lower and I did not want to crop from the right. The colors are faithful to the calla lily.

    This is the first image I am posting on BPN and I am curious to receive feedback (negative and positive). Non-photographers with whom I have shared it have generally really liked it or really not. Thanks!

  2. #2
    Brendan Dozier
    Guest

    Default

    Like the soft, abstract image you created, Mitch. It has a pleasing simplicity to it. Nice balance of subtle colors, and a balance between the two shapes created by the line of the in-focus portion. Way to see new possibilities by combining two images. I tend to like exteme close-ups, especially if they can create a pleasing design. Great as is, but I might also experiment with making the transition between the focused and blurred areas just a bit more gradual. Well done!

  3. #3
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    INDIA, RAJKOT
    Posts
    563
    Threads
    91
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like BG with with simply soft shade of cool colors. nice one.. great close up.and composition

  4. #4
    Julie Kenward
    Guest

    Default

    Super soft and very nicely done! I would think about toning down the white area along the edge of the right frame - maybe add a very light yellow over the top to keep the eye from being pulled out at that point. Otherwise, super job on this. Soft in most places with a good strong edge - just what you need to pull these images off!

  5. #5
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Mifflin, TN
    Posts
    2,799
    Threads
    379
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hey Mitch, it's great to see you posting images. If this is an example of what you've got to offer, I'm looking forward to your future posts!

    Jules nailed my critique exactly so there's no reason to repeat it. Well done!

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Beautiful colors!! Nice sharp edge with softness all around. The very light areas along the right frame and a bit on the left distract me a bit. I wonder if you can fill them in with color. Looking forward to more of these super close-ups.

  7. #7
    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bemidji, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,801
    Threads
    818
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Mitch. This is a very nice abstract and a good first post. The sharp edge of the petal curving diagonally through the frame really makes this one work. You already have some good suggestions above for tweaks that could make the image even stronger. Keep them coming.

  8. #8
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    586
    Threads
    35
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks for all the kind words and suggestions. I'll try to find time this weekend come up with an updated version to repost.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics