While not as dramatic as Paul’s flower images, the natural light shafting down on this Bent Trillium (Trillium flexipes) was too great to pass up. It was a really quick, down and dirty shot because I was with a naturalist group that was in a hurry to get up and out of this coulee and back to the cars for some reason. There were no trails so I didn’t want to get left behind and had to work fast.
Large-flowered trillium is our state flower and grows everywhere and in large numbers. These are confined to the southern part of the state and especially in the driftless area which is where I was. The cliff behind is sandstone and rises a few stories overhead. Bent trillium differs from nodding trillium in that the flower is above the leaves, not below.
Specific Feedback Requested
Any feedback is welcome.
Technical Details
Is this a composite: No
Lumix G9
Lumix G Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 @ 21mm (42mm equiv.)
f/9 | 1/160 | ISO 400
handheld on a squishy, steep slope
Lr processed to control highlights and bring the shadows down to emphasize the flower. Local adjustment brush to further bring out the texture in the leaves and burn the exposure in the upper surface of the one on the right. Extra burning in to reduce distractions in the undergrowth. Ps to remove a few distractions including a spider thread that I liked, but the image works better without it.
For a quick shot it’s very good. i like the separation you got, it’s enough to give emphasis to the Trillium and also to give context to the viewer.
The composition is spot on, the way the leaves create a wave like figure bring a great deal of dynamic flow to the image. Also the detail of the “veins” on the leaf is something to behold.
If there’s a thing i would change were to burn the lower grass a bit, nothing major as the subject is on zenithal light.
Thanks @João_Ferrão - I was really rushed, but I wasn’t the last straggler so I had a bit of time. These were just starting to bloom so finding one fully fanned out was lucky. The flower itself was absolutely fresh and perfect.
I did burn it in quite a bit, but can always do more if it needs it.
Your choice of position to take the trillium makes it look very tall. Is that the case. The ones here are at ground level and, as you said, the flower bends it head toward the ground. You captured great lighting which enhances the singular flower and stem nicely.
Thanks @Jim_Zablotny, @Allen_Brooks, @paul_g_wiegman & @Patricia_Brundage - phew. Sorry so late responding. These are relatively tall - 12-16 inches depending on the light. It helped that I was on a slope and was standing below where the flower was. I shot some nodding trillium yesterday and can post when I’m done so you can see the difference. Those flowers are generally shorter, but I found a couple giants on a boulder yesterday.
