The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
A little double meaning to the title; these hibiscus buds are just starting to open and present themselves to the world and my first post of an image from my new macro lens.>=))>
Specific Feedback
It’s been a long time since I’ve done much work with a 100mm macro. I’ve owned one since 2000 and really got into macro with it but then graduated to a 200mm macro and only broke out the 100mm if I needed a shorter working distance. My old faithful 200 just passed it’s 25th birthday and doesn’t work great on my mirrorless camera using an adapter. I’ve wanted some kind of update/upgrade for a while but no one is making a 200mm macro for mirrorless. But then Sony brought out this little jewel which goes to 1.4:1 and will take a TC so I have the potential to get to 2.8:1 @ f5.6. I really haven’t done much with the TC aboard as I want to refamiliarize myself with working distance of the 100 for floral shots. I do miss the tripod collar but I have an L bracket on the camera and a heavy RRS ballhead so I can get to the odd orientations with a little effort. It also weighs a lot more than my old 100mm but it’s image stabilization is supposed to be so good that handholding may be possible. Color me skeptical about that but I’ll play with it some just to see what’s possible.
This is not really a stack, rather a blend of two shots with the focal points on the stigma on the open bloom and the tip of the bud. Does that work for you or would you prefer a full stack?
Technical Details
Sony A7rIII
Sony FE 100mm f2.8 Macro GM
ISO 1600, 1/125 @ f8, 2 shot blend in Helicon Focus
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Oh! Lucky you. New lenses are so much fun to get to know.
You’ve done a great job on the blend. Bill, I love the opened flower and the bud, but my eyes jump from one to the other. I like exploring images, but my eyes can’t settle on the entire image. Would you consider lifting the shadows a little in the centre?
Sweet! New lenses are so much fun and I KNOW you’re going to get another 25 years out of this one. Have fun with it.
No, I think the 2 image blend works. There is so much glorious detail in the bud and the flower that the fall off works well. We can fill in the details of the plant itself in our imaginations. Speaking of the plant, the contrasting greens are a treat - I love the sage-y shades most, but then the warmer tones liven things up a bit and they connect the bud with the open blossom strengthening the relationship and the transition from one to another. The bud is especially pleasing in its symmetry and folded beauty. Agree about shadows in the deepest bit of the open one.
A great first shot with the new lens, Bill. I like the idea of using a shallow depth of field just focusing on those two areas and the background is dark enough to make the blurs blend nicely. Very well done and I’m going to be keeping an eye on what you do with this lens as it’s very tempting.
Good job on blending the two images, Bill. Beautiful job in capturing the open flower and the bud gives a sense of anticipation. I like the composition as well and the background leaves frame the flowers and let them pop.
Hi Bill,
This turned out beautifully IMO and I have no problem with the DOF as I feel the most important parts are tack sharp. The hibiscus is such a beautiful flower and this one is no exception. I also like the color combination in this arrangement. I don’t know why lens manufacturers don’t make a 200 mm macro for mirrorless; it just blows my mind. I always loved the extra working distance when my Sigma 185 macro was paired up with my Nikon D800. Good luck with the setup.
