The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I found this small grouping of what I think are Ink Cap Mushrooms and found their long stipes (aka stems) alluring. As I set up the composition, I noticed how the three at the top were starting to wither while the two golden caps at the bottom were still vibrant. It was not until after making the first exposure and examining the DOF to determine if I needed to do a focus stack that I noticed the two little ones at the very bottom of the frame just starting to bloom. Well, needless to say I needed to make sure to get all of them in focus so a focus stack was in order so that I could capture the progression of time in this still image.
Specific Feedback
Two queries:
Does the progression of time come across in the photo?
Do the green redwood leaves distract or add to the composition?
Any other feedback appreciated.
Technical Details
Nikon D850, Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Macro Nikkor, at f32, 5 sec, ISO 100. 9 frame focus stack. Edited in ACR and then into PS for stacking and final edits.
This is a lovely image Youssef. I really like the muted tones and simple colours. To me, the compostion is great although I would probably have erased the uppermost mushroom.
The progression of time comes across perfectly well to me, and I think the upper green leaves are very important to the composition..they add life to an otherwise near-monotone colour image.
It is good to see a D850 used and showing its prowess. I also use a D850, despite its heft, and just wish my lighter Om-1 produced images with such detail. Cheers.
Ooh this is so nice! What a lovely little conga line of what I actually think is a species of mycena. Generally inky caps have thicker stipes and tend to fruit in more connected groups and clumps. The older, drier ones toward the back aren’t breaking down like inky caps do either. Those will literally turn to black drippy goo, hence the name. Anyway… The harmony with the color palette is quite nice so that’s why I vote no on the green, but that’s just me. The varying states of fruiting is nice and yes it does represent time quite well, from fresh to…not so fresh. Great use of stacking to get everything sharp and the light is killer!!
Oh and I have attended workshops and have about 10 guides and the Internet and I still can’t ID mushrooms a lot of the time, so it’s totally par for the course. This year I’m concentrating on waxcaps and have a book dedicated to those species, so maybe I’ll make some progress. There’s hope!
A beautiful image. The brown tones are stunning, and wouldn’t be half as nice without the contrasting green. Perfect light and the detail is interesting throughout. Nice!
Thank you @Kris_Smith for helping with the identification. Mycena it is then. I will try again to identify them. My cousin is a mycologist and I might be able to get a message to him to ask on the species.
@Phil_G, Its funny that you think the D850 is heavy. In my 35mm days, I used a Nikon F4s and it weighed over 3 pounds without any lens on it. Then I transitioned over to large format for 20 years using a wooden field camera that weighed 5.25 pounds not counting the lenses. The D850 is a mere 2.2 pounds so to me its the lightest camera I have ever used.
Youssef: What a great little family and a terrific capture. The light is marvelous and I like the green leaves framing the oldsters. Good find and a superbly crafted final result. >=))>
What a lovely image, Youssef. I find the overall lighting quite striking and, from my perspective, I appreciate the splash of contrasting green. On my initial viewing I did not pick up on the “time element”, though I think it is quite apparent, with a closer look. Well done!
The D850 is a good workhorse and I still use mine on occasion. Your choice of settings provided enough data for the stacking program to generate an excellent image of this complex scene. Rhe comp is good and the mushrooms generate a lot of interest for the eye. This micro landscape is a pleasing image for examination. Well done…Jim
Youssef, the time line of the mushrooms shows very well. I especially like that you have to look a bit to see the two youngsters at the bottom. Yes, the bit of green at the top sets off the golden of the fallen leaves and the mushrooms very well.
Thank you @Phil_G, @Bill_Fach, @Kris_Smith, @Jim_Zablotny, @Allen_Brooks, and @Matt-at-Rocky for your feedback It is much appreciated. It is strange this year how late the mushrooms bloomed in my area. They are always fun to find and photograph, I’m just not a limber as I used to be doing tripod yoga in the most awkward positions to compose the image. Again thanks.
The color and optical quality is wonderful, Yousseff. I don’t see the “time” progression but love how the green redwood leaves provide a perfect texture to highlight the caps!
