The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
With one thing and another, I haven’t been out shooting as much as I usually do. Some of it is lack of inspiration, some is laziness and some is having other things on the calendar. Luckily though, the Indian Pipe came up like crazy in the yard (probably due to the unusually wet summer that the fungi these are dependent on like). This is one that was sitting alone and looking particularly perfect so I got out there with the tripod and the macro to see what I could do.
Transforming to B&W is a bit of a cliche with these flowers, but I liked it here since this particular one didn’t have a lot of color to begin with. It also shows the forms and textures quite well and so…
Specific Feedback
How does the stack look? Any other thoughts about processing? I dithered over this one a long time. You know how it is.
Technical Details
Tripod & in-camera focus bracketing
Lr for RAW conversion to B&W and work to improve contrast and clarity w/global and local adjustments to the flower & bg separately. Zerene for the stacking and retouched quite a bit using original source files & the PMax stack. This is a DMap output. Lr for a bit more massaging and then PS to do some work with evening out tonalities w/TK9 plug in.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Nice image of this one, Kris. The way you processed it gives the “leaves” a transparent look that I like. The stack mostly looks good, but I do notice that the lower part of the stalk goes out of focus which feels a bit strange with everything else so crisp.
Really nice Kris. To me I see a fancy lamp post. I also see the blur at the bottom of the stock, if I look close. But it does not draw my eye and is not enough of a distraction for me. These guys aren’t very big so I know you must have been close to the ground. Those shots are hard to get just right. I like it B&W with the lamp a little brighter than the BG. When I first looked at this, I wanted to crop a little off the Lt. side. Either way this is still a great B&W. Thanks
I’ve never seen one of these so find it fascinating. Lovely sharpness and detail, well worth stacking. And lovely silvery tonalities. The detail in the BG sort of bothers me but that’s just a pet peeve that I can’t defend. This might be one I’d prefer more blurry, but just a little.
Good to see you out with your camera again. It will start to feel neglected if you don’t take it outside every so often.
I do notice the blurry part of the stem, but it does not cause any distraction. If printed large it might stand out. Otherwise I really like this, especially that it is in B/W. I also like the little ghost (?) with the upside down heart near the bottom.
Thanks @Dennis_Plank, @SkipsPics, @Diane_Miller & @Jim_Gavin - interesting so many different interpretations and impressions of this flower. Never heard the lamppost one, but now I have, I won’t forget! And yes, tripod almost completely flat for this, sometimes I use a homemade beanbag I put together with bags of barley and a ziplock.
I could blur it more I suspect, but then it gets a bit plasticky to me so I didn’t go too nuts. Heart ghost?? Hm…? I’ll also look and see if I have a stack with more stem in focus. I don’t mind it though. Might get out with the camera this weekend with a friend coming for a few days. We always kayak or hike together and she knows my obsessions well!
Kris, I relate to the lack of getting out with the camera. Hoping that will change soon. I am doing better and the weather is supposed to cool down next week so maybe I can go up town to a couple of yards that have lots of flowers and shoot some. I already have their permission.
I like this a lot, especially in B&W. The tones and texture are very nice. I’m not familiar with the plant, but glad it was readily available in your yard.
Thanks @David_Bostock & @Shirley_Freeman - whenever I don’t feel like shooting I don’t force it. Nothing good comes from me doing that as I’ve learned the hard way. Sometimes I have to miss doing something to be excited about doing it. That happens with all my interests and pursuits. I have another stacked photo of a group of these flowers which I left in color and will post. Looking forward to seeing what you get in the garden, Shirley. I’m sure it will be a rewarding session in many respects.
Thank you, Kris. I just grabbed my camera a few minutes ago and took some shots of bees in my neighbor’s yard. Not sure if I have anything worth posting. Looking forward to seeing your shots of the group of this flower and in color since I am not familiar with the plant.
