I often find these delightful, brilliant-red Cobwebb Thistles – aptly named – along the Abbott’s Lagoon trail in April and May, Point Reyes National Seashore. The blooms are a beautiful complement to the slate-blue plants.
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I cropped this tight and added a white vignette to emphasize the geometry. But I’d like to know if others enjoy shooting thistles and how. I like how they start out clean and orderly, then deteriorate as they cycle through the bloom to seeds and finally, to windblown dry husks (great for B/W). Another thistle composition I’ve used emphasizes the chaos of the prickly plants with the blooms providing the only nips of color in the frame.
James: Thistles are great subjects and you caught one in its prime. I like your tight crop but my <1 cent nit would be the one tip touching the right frame edge. A few more pixels there or a careful cloning trimming would elevate this to a pure 10 vs a 9.999. Really well done. >=))>
I guess this is one of those cases that ask 20 photographer and you will get 25 different views. I like the detail and the bold red colors contrasting with the whitish webby material. I wonder what it look like if there was more space around the flower? Nice image, enjoy viewing it.
Thanks Bill !
A guy can’t be a floral macro moderator without a deep appreciation of subjects and closeups such as mine.
Makes think, however, about the issue of composition in closeup and macro. We reveal the wonders of the micro world but must be subject to the rules of great images, yes?
I’m going back to Abbott’s Lagoon with a 14MM to seek greatness in macro composition on the Cobweb Thistle !
Wider or tighter best? One way to find out.
