Jim Wulpi  


Birth of a Bud by Jim Wulpi

February 2025 - Birth of a Bud

February 2025 - Jim Wulpi

Original

About the Image(s)

I've enjoyed getting immersed in wildflower photography as of late. This image proves that one doesn't have to travel very far in order to find interesting subjects. This was taken in my yard this past spring. I've since had it printed on metal and is currently in a members show at a local art center.
The title of my image is "Birth of a Bud". It is a Bearded Iris. The name comes from thick bushy "beard" on each of the falls (lower petals) of the blossom. (Google it for a picture).
I used my Canon 100 mm f2.8 Macro lens (IS/USM) to get a wide variety of images from a number of buds. I shot some at night with a flash, and many others at various times of the day. I had fun. I didn't have to do much to edit this daytime/shaded image but got rid of some of the slightly-visible background buds and used a slight vignette to accentuate the buds even more. I cropped it 2:1 for vertical effect.
Canon 6D Mk II, Canon 100 mm Macro lens at 100mm; f8;1/50 sec ISO 2000; EV +1.3 stops.
Your thoughts?


6 comments posted




Shirley Pohlman   Shirley Pohlman
Thanks for reminding me that we don't have to travel to get some shots.
I love the simplicity of this wonderful piece of nature. Great bokeh for your background. Since your flower is all the way to the bottom edge, I feel that about half the space from the top should be cropped. It may be my eyes, but I am seeing a softness to the flower. I will leave these opinions to Karen, our flower expert. I'd love to see the print!   Posted: 02/01/2025 23:09:20



Piers Blackett   Piers Blackett
You have captured beauty in the portrayal of nascence in the budding irises. I am fascinated by your approach to the subject and choices. My neighbor, a lawyer, has been given a "field" of irises by a client and I usually have permission to shoot in the spring! In past years the background has been a problem since it is a crowded situation and often quite windy, but you have retained a natural effect. I don't see the vignette, but would probably try to darken some of the background and add contrast to the subject.   Posted: 02/04/2025 16:38:29
Jim Wulpi   Jim Wulpi
Piers, Thanks for your comments.
In a "field" of Irises, I like finding one near an edge of the field to be able to better isolate it from the masses. I then have more options to choose from for a background.   Posted: 02/18/2025 03:34:39



Martin Newland   Martin Newland
Jim, this is a nice simple photo.
The texture and the intricate details of the petals and the bud wrapping are tack sharp. The veins and the hairs on the petals stand and are in contrast with the soft bokeh of the background.
The lighting is soft and diffused.
The bud is well-placed in the frame, slightly off-centre, and this creates a nicely balanced composition.
Well done
  Posted: 02/05/2025 05:19:17



Karen Botvin   Karen Botvin
Wow, Jim, what a wonderful portrait of an Iris! And my favorite colors together. The bokeh is lovely and at f/8, this Iris must have been somewhat isolated from the others, so good eye in being able to pick it out from the rest. Many times when you come upon flowers that generally grow together, i.e., Spring bulbs, poppies and the like, it's challenging to look for one that's isolated enough to give a nice, soft bokeh. As for Shirley's comment regarding too much top for the composition, I don't mine the top because you captured the light casing around the bud at the bottom, so to me, that lighter part at the bottom balances the top in equal parts.   Posted: 02/07/2025 13:35:28
Jim Wulpi   Jim Wulpi
Karen,
Thank you for the wonderful review and assessment of this image. This image was very intentionally chosen for all the reasons you identified...Separation from other surrounding buds; lack of other close buds, and the color combination you love with great Bokeh.   Posted: 02/18/2025 03:31:06



 

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