I have to say guys, that I confess to being a real sucker for bokeh. I don’t usually go looking for it, but once in a while when I’m composing it just appears. So this is one of those that caught my eye. This was on a cool breezy morning a few weeks ago at a nature area in SE Mississippi. I was there after the Pitcher plants and other such carnivorous flora, but windy conditions precluded anything decent. Because of my interest in tree trunks and the effects of a pleasant bokeh, at least I was able to salvage something I thought interesting.
In post I worked on color balance in separate layers for tree and BG. Would be interested to know about color balance.
EM1 Mk II, Zuiko 50-200 on tripod, ISO 200 f/3.2 0.0EV. I set the wider aperture for the bokeh I wanted.
You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.
I find the juxtaposition of “texture”, if you will, rather intriguing, Bill. I must confess that the difference in the lightness between the BG to the left of the trunk and to the right of the trunk threw me off a little bit so if I may offer a suggestion, I think it would help to lighten up the darker area to the right of the trunk. To give you the idea of what I am talking about:
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What a clever idea Bill, it’s certainly a great way to come away with a good shot on a windy day. The sharp vs. soft contrast is very eye-catching. I do like what @Adhika_Lie has done with increasing the exposure of the OOF background, it adds more vitality to the image. If you decide to to go with processing similar to Adhika’s rework, I might consider adding a slight vignette to the four corners, but keeping most of the background brighter. The tree certainly has nice texture, but I think your emphasis of the large dark area of the bark creates a lot of visual interest and contrast with the background. In terms of a 50/50 “horizon” I also think this shot is the exception that breaks the rule successfully. What species of tree is this? It has wonderful colors and texture, I particularly like the repetition of the green color on the bark in the background “bokeh”.
Bill, this really a nice change of pace from what we normally see! Well done. I do like @Adhika_Lie suggestions. The colors of the subject and bokeh work really well together!
Good eye!
@Adhika_Lie, a big thanks to you for your rework, clearly shows me the err of my ways. Goes to show you that’s what I get for tunnel-visioning the separate layers while losing sight of the whole, and yours looks MUCH more realistic. In fact I might even brighten it some more. @Ed_McGuirk, a vignette is an option, though I have never tried it. Interesting that you ask about species, and I have that very same question. Need to call the management folks and ask. Appreceate the input.
Bill,
Wow, if you love bokeh, well then you’ve got one here with plenty! Great circles too!
I really like the juxtoposition of the trunk and it’s great patterns against the softer, oof background. You’ve added “just enough” space on the left. No sure if having more room would be beneficial; I think probably not. I also didn’t really pay attention, but after seeing Adhika’s edits, I think that’s a great call. Personally, I wouldn’t go any lighter.
The only other suggestion I have would be to reduce the magenta and maybe a little blue using a standard Hue/Sat layer. There’s a bit of magenta both in the trunk and the bg. To me some of the circles end up a little purple, which are slightly unnatural - at least in my own perception of the scene. Minor, but thought I would mention.
Great find and great job working the scene to capture that bokeh!
Lon
Thanks, @Alan_Kreyger and @Lon_Overacker to you as well. I have different ways I can take this because of its simple geometry, which makes layering pretty much a no brainer. Since this is my first attempt at this concept I’ll bookmark it for other locations.
Your effect made a nice background to that trunk with all its character. I almost never think of bokeh, typically chasing focus in a rabid way. I should be more open to it.
