I have always found ferns to be an interesting subject; especially during the autumn season when they turn this beautiful yellow golden hue. I found this file languishing on the external hard drive and thought it would be perfect for this weeks challenge. I spotted this lovely specimen while hiking Jessep Path in Acadia NP, ME. The conditions were perfect with the soft diffused light and almost no wind. All I had to do was wait for a lull in the breeze and trip the shutter. I liked the fact that some of the fronds were not perfect and were starting to fade just a little.
Feedback Requests
Overall I am fairly pleased with the image. Does the fact that a few of the fronds are starting fade bother you? Anything else you notice please feel free to mention it.
Pertinent Technical Details
Nikon D800, Sigma 185 macro, f 18 @ 1/15 sec, ISO 1000, CPL, cable release & tripod
This is a really neat image Ed. The position of the main stem running diagonally from the lower right to upper left, and the smaller stems branching out from it creates a balanced composition. The color and texture of the fronds is just right, and the few that have started to shrivel up are no problem. After all, nature is full of imperfections, and should be embraced that way.
Hi Ed, I love photographing subjects at the end of their life when fronds begin to wither or flower petals begin to wilt or even finding imperfection, to me, adds beauty. The few imperfect pinnules of your fern don’t bother me at all - in fact I didn’t even notice them until you pointed them out. Nature isn’t always perfect and what you created is a reminder that life is - it just is.
Many thanks everyone @Ted_Forman, @Diane_Miller, @Bill_Fach, @Youssef_Ismail, @heidi_walker and @Preston_Birdwell for your thoughts on this image; always appreciated. Many times we as photographers; myself included; are always looking for that perfect leaf or flower and we neglect the less than perfect ones and that is a shame because they are beautiful as well.
Ed, this is indeed lovely. The yellow/gold throughout is great. You’ve got fine contrast in the veins. The lack of perfection strikes me as showing how nature works. I agree that ferns are a fine subject, albeit a challenging one to get an outstanding photo of. This reaches that goal.
