The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Windy and extremely hot and the wind always strengthened when I brought my camera out for some flower photography. To get around the wind problem, I waiting until dusk and picked a flower that was the most sheltered from the wind.
Specific Feedback
I used a large flash diffuser to soften the light and was wondering whether this type of lighting reduced the shadows too much. Please let me now what you think.
Technical Details
Z9 105mm f2.8 Micro (1/25 sec at f10, ISO 500, Fill set at -0.7ev) 46 image stack PMax, Levels, increased strength of shadows, crop for comp…Jim
ps.: All of those yellow dots are pollen grains and result from the high winds that blast the flower each day.
Critique Template
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Such deep color and texture in this. I can hardly believe it sat still enough for you to do a stack! Most of the time for me, if I get the macro lens in sight of a flower there’s a monsoon.
Light wise I think it’s nicely even, but looks a tiny bit flat to me. Could be raising some mid tones or possibly just adding some clarity or texture could help with that. The color gradation looks so amazing in these flowers - from the edge to the center - they must be a riot all together. The pollen grains don’t bug me at all - I rather like the contrasting color.
I love the pollen grains all over the flower, Jim. It tells a great story in my opinion with or without the wind included. The detail is superb throughout and despite all the overlaps I see no stacking artifacts. The light doesn’t seem too flat to me. I think there’s enough structure in this plant to bear the flat light.
Gorgeous subject and a wonderful stack! I think the pollen on the petals is actually a nice feature because it stands out so remarkably clearly on the stamens. It evokes party confetti!
Some subtle shadows could be a nice goal for next time but I can’t complain about their absence here. I also have no idea how anyone could manage a stack in the conditions you describe.
Murphy’s 32nd corollary: Air movement begins with the acquisition of focus and its velocity is proportional to magnification. The 33rd corollary: Animals flee immediately when autofocus is acquired.
Thank you @Kris_Smith , @Dennis_Plank , and @Diane_Miller . I will be posting another clematis stack of two images and let the Nikon Creative Lighting System work its magic. I agree with your assessment about the need for shadows. Shadows add depth and let the observers eyes work in 3D…Jim
Jim, I really love the colors and the textures and the details you captured. Amazing for stacking in windy conditions. I agree with what the others have said as well. The only thing that caught my attention, and it is just a matter of preference, is that I would prefer the cluster of tentacles to be more to the right in the frame than the left. This is a great image.
