Common Comfrey

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Common Comfrey
Photo Information
Copyright: howard shirley (gerbilratz) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 330 W: 0 N: 808] (2578)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG macro, Tiffen 58mm UV PROTECTOR USA
Exposure: f/22, 1/320 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Wild Flowers [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-04-29 13:12
Viewed: 346
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Common Comfrey, Symphytum officinalis, a hearty member of the "Borage" family. A fine family of plants these, interesting shapes, colours and habitats.

This one is thickly hairy, and grows up to 1.5 metres. The leaves are lanceolate in shape, dark green and heavily veined.The leaf wings project downwards along the length of the stem, giving an impression of them just hanging down to the leaf below, quite pretty..

The flowers(inflorescences) form in clusters in the axils of the upper leaves, these form dense clusters that hang to one side, very rakish!! The only down side, is that the flowers open, wither and die at differing times, making it difficult to get a "full" set of pristine flowers.

The calyx are 5 lobed, almost to the base, the corolla, also 5 lobes, 1.2-2cm long, tube shaped, and fused. It also has 5 scales in the throat between the five stamens. I hope to get a good macro of this asap. The style projects beyond the corolla.

They like damp meadows, river banks and fens.

This species also has variations in their colours, ranging from purple/pinkish violet (common), to an all white variety. Also common!!, perhaps that's why they call it "Common comfrey"

The flowers bloom betwix May/June.The seeds forming "nutlets"

This non too perfect specimen was captured in a damp meadow near a small babbling brook, chalk/limestone soil, and gravelly bottom.

it was in shade, but the minimal sunlight was directly to the side of it, I used flash (diffused) to counteract and fill in the light to give a more even distribution.

ISO 100
Shutter 1/320
F-Stop f/22
Mirror Lock, remote shutter used, manual focus and RAW.

Only PP was to crop around the overall image and slight sharpen.
matatur, gracious, nglen, Jamesp, boreocypriensis, maurydv, crs, Adanac, mariki, zulfu, goldyrs, Gert-Paassen, eqshannon has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To nglen: Common Comfreygerbilratz 1 04-29 13:31
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Howard,
Good morning to you from NZ!
Oh! This awesome posting makes my good day ahead, much appreciated for the sharing with thanks!
the lighting is the main attraction on those lovely Comfrey! also the soft-toned colouration makes this a great image
my compliment!
Tony

Such beautiful and colorful flowers illuminated and captured expertly Howard, they superficially resemble some digitalis flowers, but of course not related at all. The image is perfectly focused with enough DOF and very high definition. TFS my friend.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1180 W: 0 N: 4310] (12630)
  • [2008-04-29 13:22]

Hi Howard

Superb close-up - great framing and lovely detail.

TFS
James

Howard

A nice medley of mild colours in the flowers with a bristly leaf poking through in the corner. A lovely composition as always.

Jai

Hello Howard,
Very beautiful tones and original composition. Excellent sharpness too. TFS
Catherine

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 759 W: 5 N: 1886] (7191)
  • [2008-04-29 14:47]

Hi Howard,i'm back just in time to see this another great work,i'm never seen this flower,excellent quality in sharpness and colours as your style,thanks for share,Luciano

Bellissima composizione, eccellenti POV e DOF, straordinaria nitidezza, magnifici i colori, un uso sapiente e spettacolare della luce. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 109 W: 0 N: 154] (623)
  • [2008-04-29 20:29]

Hi Howard,

Good shot of this medicinal plant. You photo renders very well flower color tones. Good way of using the flash without creating unnatural shadows. DOF is good showing nice details of the flowers as well as the texture of petals.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1043 W: 1 N: 4025] (13236)
  • [2008-04-29 21:05]

Hello Howard,
The depth of field and the colors you have been capturing lately are amazing Howard. Beautiful just simply beautiful, thanks.
Rick

Superb macro capture of this beautifull common comfrey flower my dear friend Howard. TFS and also thanks for your kind comments on my 100th post.
Cheers,

Bayram

Hello Howard,

Superb presentation of these flowers. Excellent sharpness. Wonderful colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 401 W: 0 N: 65] (446)
  • [2008-04-30 5:18]

Hello Howard,
Superb macro capture of this beauty. TFS. Regards,
Mehmet

Excellent shot, Howard.
Flowers and you are a great combo!
:)
Goldy

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1825 W: 2 N: 4688] (17692)
  • [2008-04-30 10:17]
  • [+]

Hi Howard. They seem to get better each day . The detail and light in this one is first class. warm natural colours against the dark BG. you can see the hairs on the leaves . well done TFs. Interesting notes about flower and the way you used the camera .
Nick..

hello howard,

good of sharpness and much details.
This are a beautiful flower with also beautiful colors and good pov and dof.

Gert

A healing plant as you may know..Very relaxing if used correctly. Great image. I have seen it and used to grow it in a indoor environs!
Bob

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