The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
The orchid society now opens the show early for photographers and I ventured out onto snow covered roads with my flashes, tripod, and the 200mm micro lens for the Z9. The 200mmgave me some excellent working distance so that I could photograph each flower without falling into the exhibit. Tripods were allowed which enabled me to get enough images of each flower for stacking. I used the top edge of the pouch as a way to get the flower fairly level in the frame. I under-exposed each exposure so that the flashes provided enough light for each exposure.
Specific Feedback
This view is a pretty cliche shot, but shows the best colors of this slipper orchid. How do you like the comp? The flash also revealed those hairs on the lateral sepals.
Technical Details
Z9 200mm f4 Micro (1/25 sec at f16, ISO 125, 3 flashes with diffusers set at -0.3, -1.0, and -1.3ev). Levels, Shadows & Highlights, added canvas on bottom, burned flower stem to reduce impact. I positioned the camera to hide the support wire which decentered tghe stem slightly.
I like it, Jim. The lighting looks good and the stack seems to be perfect. Interesting that it has those brown spots that look like they’re intended to simulate decay or some kind of predation. I think your setup was just about perfect.
Jim, the stack looks perfect with the flower standing out against the black. It’s an amazing collection of colors and shapes. Interestingly enough my “Paphio” is just sending out a bloom. I’ve photographed it several times and it’s quite a challenge because of the size and depth of the flower. I too find the “decay spots” fascinating.
Another beauty, Jim! Cliche for a reason - it’s the best way to reveal the intricacies of how the flower is formed and all the crazy evolutionary twists and turns. Compare to a daisy and it’s hard to believe they are basically the same thing. The colors are amazing - I’m not an orchid aficionado and so it’s unfamiliar. The mix of colors and where they are placed is interesting and I bet it would be even more fascinating under UV light. Poor ripped-off pollinators. The stack looks great as does the lighting, but possibly darkening the very tip of the top sepal (? bract?) would be a nice touch.
Jim: Hard for me to choose between this one and the earlier shot but what a spectacular flower brought out so superbly. Your lighting mastery is marvelous. >=))>
