The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Deep in the forest, with a creek roaring in the background on one side, and a talus slope rising on the other, this stunning specimen of Yellow Columbine found a home, safe under a canopy of Douglas Fir trees. Wild Roses and Red Twig Dogwood formed a secondary layer of protection under the trees. We had just finished watching a Beaver tend to its pond and then found Pikas scampering around on the adjacent talus field. It was a very special evening, except for the proliferation of Mosquitos that were just barely repelled by the heavy coating of spray I had showered in when I entered the forest!
Specific Feedback
Columbines are among my favorite flowers, but can be difficult to photograph with the focus stacking technique because the relatively large blooms on slender stems makes them move too much in the most gentle of breezes. Got lucky with completely still air the evening I found this one near a trailhead. I have enough shots to include the stem, but I found that a bit distracting. Do you mind the sort of floating flower look here?
Technical Details
Nikon D850
Sigma 105mm Macro
ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/25th
79 images stacked in Helicon Focus (Method C, smoothing 8)
Processed in Lightroom with several masks. I used the spot removal tool to remove a halo from focus breathing around a few of the petals.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Paul: This is just drop dead gorgeous and I wouldn’t change a thing, Leaving out the stem makes this a more artistic vs a documentary presentation and all the more better for it. Other than the mosquitos I envy your experience. Many kudos. >=))>
Sounds like a heavenly day apart from the bloodsuckers. I definitely feel your pain there. The stem dilemma is one I’ve had to mull over with a few shots of mine as well and I think you made the right choice. Most folks know what columbine looks like and that flowers have stems, so our imaginations can interpret what the rest of the scene might look like. Getting these to sit still is so difficult so kudos to you for taking advantage of the situation. The stack looks great for the most part, with a few halos and odd areas from the different areas of sharp and blur. Only weirdo macro junkies would notice.
Excellent, Paul. I like the modeling that the light produced. This has a very subdued look that is quite interesting compared with the blatant color explosions we often see in floral images. I didn’t pixel-peep the image, but the stack looks good to me.
I’m very late here – have been obsessing over cactus and Bluebirds, after the Soap Plant finished its thing – and have barely looked at things here for a couple of weeks. I think you have created a fabulous image, with lovely composition and lighting and a very nice stack. (I don’t think anyone ever got a perfect one.) The missing stem is not an issue at all and lets the viewer concentrate on the flower.
