Purple Comfrey

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Purple Comfrey
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: 2008-05-02
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG macro, Tiffen 58mm UV PROTECTOR USA
Exposure: f/18.0, 1/320 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Wild Flowers [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-06 6:16
Viewed: 354
Points: 36
[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 boggy border, alongside a lake, very lush growth, and forming a large border. the purple colours vary quite markedly, but the general colour is this soft lilac/purplish hue.

There was heavy shade and harsh sunlight passing through overhead tree canopy, making lighting difficult. Flash fill used (diffused) to counteract and fill in the light to give a more even distribution.

I did try a larger ISO number, but on inspection, some of the blooms had become too "grainy" As it is, there is slight course-ness to the buds at the top left. I may try a large diffuser screen next time to help even out the sun light and give a softer all round light infusion!!

ISO 100
Shutter 1/320
F-Stop f/18
Mirror Lock, remote shutter used, manual focus and RAW.

Only PP was to crop from the right about 20% and slight sharpen.
eqshannon, uleko, matatur, boreocypriensis, mariki, Gert-Paassen, bahadir, marhowie, gracious, Royaldevon, spalaxtr, mesquens, nirmalroberts has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Looks like a piece of fine classic art form Howard!!! Seriously..there is an authentic artistic quality to it...Seriously fine image.
Bob

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2297 W: 163 N: 6694] (21146)
  • [2008-05-06 8:02]

Hello Howard,
Great macro of these pretty Comfrey flowers. Excellent sharpness and lovely colours against a dark background. A fine composition too.
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

Aaah, again a perfect capture of a beautiful inflorescence of rich colours Howard, your manual focus is spot on my friend, delighted you shared this fine macro scene with us.
Mehmet

Hi My dear Friend Howard,
I have to admit that I am learning a lot of thing on botany thanks to you and some other talented TN friends. Your capture is excellent in all aspects. TFS my friend.
Cheers,

Bayram

Hello Howard,

Very good composition and sharpness. I like very much the "dégradé" of purple in this picture. Good lighting also.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hello Howard
I knew the "Symphytum " pale yellow , but those....
The colors are beautiful, clearness lets see the details : Cheer and...
Thank you
Laurent

Hello Howard,

beautiful capture of these medicin plant.
good of sharpness and pov.

Gert

  • Great 
  • Ishi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 85 W: 0 N: 401] (1580)
  • [2008-05-06 11:29]

Hi Howard,

Lovely macro, indeed! Beautiful colors and fine details.

TFS,

Ishi

Hello Howard, splendid macro capture of this beautiful flower. Regards, Bahadır

Hi Howard,
Love the color and the low key exposure is great.
Nice detail, DOF, POV, and composed well :)
Howard

Hello Howard,
This is another fine posting with the nice and soft colouration!
the image is sharp with good details also the useful notes
well done
cheers
Tony

Hi Howard, today we are neighbour:), elegant composition with fascinating flowers, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Howard,

I just love the composition of this shot!
Then, the sharpness and the colours are also fine!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Hi Howard,
Every level of purple, really very good. Exposure great, every details of the object definite. POV, DOF andcomposition very nice. TFS. Regards,
Mustafa

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1864 W: 2 N: 4738] (18250)
  • [2008-05-07 10:30]

Hi Howard.You are starting to make this look so easy which i know its far from that. you have become the master of wild flowers. Once again fine detail with good use of the flas to give natural looking colours. well done TFs.
Nick..

Hello Howard

Hi Howard,
Nice picture. TFS.
- Nirmal

Hi Howard,another beutifull work,i'm happy you're back to show us your flowers collection,your hands make a difference!!!Thanks for share,Luciano

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