Dick States  


Fern by Dick States

January 2020 - Fern

About the Image(s)

Took this picture several weeks ago. Its a semi-evergreen fern that grows by a boulder wall along side my patio. Some of the common things we see everyday takes on different look when we start looking at them close. This image is nothing special but I found there's something about the detail in the leaves and the patterns that made me take a second look.

This image is an 11 stack image taken at f-8, ISO 200, tripod, cable release, polarizer, 200 macro lens.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted




Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
(Groups 64 & 95)
Hi Dick,

I suppose one byproduct of the super DoF and sharpness of your stack is that it flattens the picture, whereas having looked carefully (wondering "why did he need a stack?") I think the branches are not planar, they are coming out towards us, but all equally sharp. The brain can be cussed!

The polariser seems to have done a good job of stopping any highlights from reflections.

A nice change from the typical macro, I think!   Posted: 01/13/2020 15:21:40
Dick States   Dick States
(Group 65)
I probably did not need a stack. The branches were pretty much flat. The entire leaf was leaning away with the bottom close to me. I guess I just like doing stacks.   Posted: 01/13/2020 18:41:35
Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
(Groups 64 & 95)
So do I! They are fun and an insurance policy. Alas my shutter count is increasing rapidly.   Posted: 01/14/2020 00:44:31



Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
As usual, Dick, your botanical images are near to perfection. We all enjoy the exquisite detail of your stacks - you set a very high benchmark for us.   Posted: 01/14/2020 14:33:25



 
Wonderful detail right down to the graceful flowing tips of the individual leaves.
'Hairs'? on the stem are an added attraction. The simplicity of the composition is pleasing and holds my attention.
I like it.   Posted: 01/20/2020 09:08:50



 
Very nice image. I suppose you have used a black piece of fabric for the background. I wonder the leaning is a casual one or you tried to break against a perfect diagonal of the stem? I like you caught whole the right down branch letting us to appreciate the form of the vegetal.   Posted: 01/23/2020 02:27:07
Dick States   Dick States
(Group 65)
The background is black fabric about 6ft. from the subject. That keeps any detail in the fabric out of the picture. I usually put things on a angle. I feel it gives the composition movement and makes for a more interesting image for the eye and the person looking at the image.   Posted: 01/23/2020 05:25:33



 
A great, clear photo with terrific background. I wonder about your choice of cropping. It bothers me that only one fern leaf is shown in its entirety. I can understand that this would be good for botanical identification purposes, but for a photo ("art"), I would have considered using just one or two entire fern leaves and showing the "hairy" stem, maybe at some kind of aesthetically pleasing angle.   Posted: 01/27/2020 18:45:46