I have wanted to photograph dandelions for some time and decided with the “lock down” it was a good time to practice. I gathered up a bunch of dandelions from my daily dog walk and went to work. One challenge was how to shoot a dandelion different from all the others you see posted. I don’t know that mine is different but I chose to shoot straight down from the top and to use focus stacking. I believe this is a six image stack. I shot the image in the house with the dandelion clamped in a “plant clamp” using ambient light, Sony 7RIII, Canon FD 100mm macro lens attached with an adapter. Manual settings ISO 640, 1/1000 sec, f/16. As I looked at these setting I asked myself why I had the ISO so high while being inside and on a tripod. I think the answer is I got caught up in the composition and process and forgot about how I was setting the camera. I looked at later images and I had decreased the ISO to 100 and shutter was 1/40 sec. I used ON1 RAW 2020 for post processing and the focus stack action. I was also working on a high key project last week so converted the image to B&W and added a white vignette.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 8 comments posted
Mike Cohen
This is outstanding. I'm a nit picker and can't find a nit to pick. It looks perfect to me. Posted: 05/07/2020 15:28:30
Pamela Hoaglund
Thanks Milke. Your comment means a lot. Posted: 05/15/2020 23:05:41
I do like what you have done. I like the center spikes, and they look like they have been spotlighted. You said you used ambient light. Was it just above the dandelion? Your stems are clear, and the dandelion lends itself to monochrome. I like the choices you have made. Posted: 05/07/2020 15:46:24
John Roach
(Group 64)
Lovely. You have created something that you must be very pleased with. I have no suggestions except to say, you have shown a higher key example then I probably would have used because I probably would like a tad more contrast, but it shows me an alternative way. Well done. Posted: 05/14/2020 13:10:21
Sharon Prislipsky
I am a big fan of high key images, and this looks to me like an excellent example. If it were mine I would print it on canvas as large as possible and hang it on my wall. I like the perspective and the sharpness. It's beautiful in my opinion. Don't change a thing. Posted: 05/15/2020 13:55:05
Pamela Hoaglund
Thanks Sharon. I have been thinking of printing it but had not thought of what format, canvas, metal, or something else. Posted: 05/15/2020 23:07:35
Wonderful image. I as well have nothing to add. You have a great image and I agree with Sharon that it should be printed with any of the print formats you mentioned it would look fantastic. Posted: 05/20/2020 10:09:29
Judith Lesnaw
I love this image. It looks crystalline. The stars in the center look like reflections in a diamond. The symmetry is stunning, and the contrast, detail, sharp focus, and high key effect all combine to give a spectacular image. The perspective has indeed produced a totally unique image. How did you achieve the background? Did you carefully remove the stem and place the flower head on a white background? Posted: 05/27/2020 12:24:10
