Karen Botvin
October 2024 - October Sunflower
About the Image(s)
This month’s image was made by light painting the sunflower. My camera was mounted on a tripod and the settings were; ISO 100, at 53mm, f/9, for 30 sec. I used a Coast G20 flashlight attached to a 1/4'’ pvc pipe (about 8” in length) that I had wrapped with black gaffer tape. Using a 12” diffuser, I made small circles around the subject making sure there would be separation behind the vase and onto the table. In post, I lifted the shadows and the exposure a bit. Comments welcome.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
Hi Karen:
I like the concept of the image. The focus seems a little soft to me. I'm not sure if you meant to have the shears cut out of the photo. I think the vase and the flower were enough and the other items may be slightly distracting. I do like your background and tabletop choice for the photo. Posted: 10/09/2024 17:30:48
I like the concept of the image. The focus seems a little soft to me. I'm not sure if you meant to have the shears cut out of the photo. I think the vase and the flower were enough and the other items may be slightly distracting. I do like your background and tabletop choice for the photo. Posted: 10/09/2024 17:30:48
Thank you for commenting, Lori. My vision for this image was to tell a story of how the sunflower got into the vase, hence the cut stem and the shears. So to remove them would not be the story that I intended. Perhaps a bit of desaturating the handle would soften them and not bring so much attention to the handles. Posted: 10/21/2024 13:41:37
I like it. Your light painting is great. Not sure about the red clippers. I think they distract from the flower. Maybe different colored ones. I too like your background Posted: 10/11/2024 02:37:10
Thanks, Ruth. Yes, perhaps a bit of desaturation on the handles would make them less distracting. Posted: 10/21/2024 13:43:04
Hi Karen - sorry this comment is so late. The image is beautifully handled in regards to lighting, especially with the highlight on the vase. The stem adds interest also. For me, I am a little uncomfortable with the shears. The scene is so serene but the cutter is like an unwelcome intrusion. I suggest a reshoot, with the shears gone, but the stem placed at the base of the vase at the same angle, but in front of it. Then a single petal just to the right of the vase. Posted: 10/15/2024 15:43:41
Melissa, thank you for commenting. As I said above to Lori, the shears are a part of the story that I am telling. I think a bit of desaturation will help the handles be less obtrusive. Posted: 10/21/2024 13:45:32
Hi Karen,
I also admire the lighting and think the sunflower is beautifully captured. To my eye the separation that you had planned to show the area behind the vase and the surface of the table was successful. I do like the idea of including the clipper and cut stem and their placement in the frame, because they suggest a possible narrative to me.
As others have mentioned the bold red of the clipper handles pose a distraction. Also, the neck of the vase is somewhat difficult to discern from the background, but perhaps this was your intent? Posted: 10/19/2024 21:41:45
I also admire the lighting and think the sunflower is beautifully captured. To my eye the separation that you had planned to show the area behind the vase and the surface of the table was successful. I do like the idea of including the clipper and cut stem and their placement in the frame, because they suggest a possible narrative to me.
As others have mentioned the bold red of the clipper handles pose a distraction. Also, the neck of the vase is somewhat difficult to discern from the background, but perhaps this was your intent? Posted: 10/19/2024 21:41:45
Thank you, Charissa, for your comments. Since the red handles are a distracting element, I feel a bit of desaturation of the red will help the image. Posted: 10/21/2024 13:48:22
Your technique is spot on. The use of "light painting" well done. I like the contrast between the subject's color and the dark background carry a great deal impact. The three objects really stand out. Very effective, I think it all works.
Now, the issue of the clippers. Had it not been for those clippers this image would not have been possible. The clippers complete the image for me. Sunflowers grow very tall and this late in the season the stems tend to bend from the weight of the bloom. This sunflower is standing upright and proud due that segment that was cut to better match the vase that had become its home. Posted: 10/21/2024 01:49:06
Now, the issue of the clippers. Had it not been for those clippers this image would not have been possible. The clippers complete the image for me. Sunflowers grow very tall and this late in the season the stems tend to bend from the weight of the bloom. This sunflower is standing upright and proud due that segment that was cut to better match the vase that had become its home. Posted: 10/21/2024 01:49:06
Thanks, Jim! Others seem to think either that the shears don't belong or the red is too strong. The shears stay as it is a part of my story, however, I did look at desaturating the red just a bit. To me, the sunflower is a bright color as is the stem that I cut off. To desaturate the clippers makes it a bit dull and out of place. Thanks for agreeing with my original image. Posted: 10/21/2024 13:54:39