Flower on Fire!!

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Flower on Fire!!
Photo Information
Copyright: howard shirley (gerbilratz) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 0 N: 916] (2938)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-06
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG macro, Tiffen 58mm UV PROTECTOR USA
Exposure: f/20.0, 1/250 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Wild Flowers [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-08 6:29
Viewed: 346
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Experiment!!!

Not too certain what species of flower is, but I think it is a forget-me-not or one of the family.

This is an experiment using different light techniques on small and poorly lit subjects.

This tiny purple flower, has a deep corola, very trumpet shaped in close up and using ordinary lighting techniques you get blurs and shadows that can sometimes hide detail.

So, for this I decided to back-light quite strongly, using a remote flash below and underneath the subject. I also had good natural light but I added an extra diffused flash in front to pick out the forward highlights.

As can be seen, the centre of the flower stamens and anthers have got an almost fiery glow whilst the rest of the petals and leaves have maintained their sharpness and clarity.

There is some over exposure, but I think I could refine this to make a useful addition for photographing small plants in close detail.

Image shot in RAW manual focus mirror shutter release and flash used. No PP apart from cropping and sharpening at 30% at 0.8 pixels. All this did was sharpen the "hairs" on the buds and leaf stalk. The picture therefore remains "as is".

ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/250
f.20

As this is experimental, any feedback positive or negative will be well received.
boreocypriensis, mariki, marhowie, Gert-Paassen, xTauruSx, Necipp, Jamesp, cysorz has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 981 W: 17 N: 2563] (9450)
  • [2008-05-08 6:44]

Hi Howard,
i wish i knew more about this type of photography to be able to give constructive advice or tips! From an aesthetic point of view, i think it's great. Back lighting has created some strong contrast and i particulalrly like the lit area down inside the petals! Details are very good and i like your POV too.
tfs
Paul

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1266 W: 103 N: 4311] (19463)
  • [2008-05-08 7:47]

Hello Howard! That's a very sharp macro my friend! Well composed and a very good technique! Thanks,

Mario

Hi Howard,it seems that your experiments are also excellen my friend:) Another superb macro capture and great composition. TFS. Cheers,
Bayram

Hello Howard,

Excellent sharp picture of this flower. You can say that detail is not hidden here. Textures are very well reproduced. Splendid natural colours too.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hi Howard,
I like this post and note on your technique here..
It's how we learn i.e. experimentation, trial, & error.
You did achieve an "inner glow" that looks great. Slight OE, but not by much.
I'll be looking for the sequel ;}
Well done,
Howard

Hello howard,

Very sharp macro with lots of details.
Beautiful colours too.

Gert

Hello Howard, superb details and very artistic capture of this beautiful flower. TFS. Regards,
Deniz

  • Great 
  • Necipp Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1150 W: 15 N: 2074] (12392)
  • [2008-05-08 15:44]

Hello Howard, very nice colours, light appears contrasty and shows details well tfs rgds Necip.

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 4449] (13290)
  • [2008-05-08 22:57]

Hi Howard

A beautiful macro with lovely colour and superb detail. Well observed and captured.


James

Hi, Howard!
Very interesting experiment, usually flower's interior is dark or even black, but your point of view shows us that flower can be exhibited on a quite different way! Good job!
Tadeusz

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