Dick States
May 2021 - Bleeding Heart
About the Image(s)
I have several bleeding heart plants in my landscape. They are in bloom at this time of the year, early spring.
Taken with my 200 mm macro lens with a polarizer. Shot at f-4, 1/60 sec, ISO 400. Natural overcast light with a small reflector. Tripod, cable release.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted
Hi, Dick.
Beautiful image of the Bleeding Heart. I like the subdued background color tones and leaves on the left as they reflect that the image was taken outdoors in your garden. The capture shows lots of details such as tiny leaf growth, the two little budding hearts and the curving of the stem with the weight of the hearts. I can't seem to grow Bleeding Heart in my yard as the soil is too sandy so it is a pleasure to see them.
Janet Posted: 05/04/2021 15:44:44
Beautiful image of the Bleeding Heart. I like the subdued background color tones and leaves on the left as they reflect that the image was taken outdoors in your garden. The capture shows lots of details such as tiny leaf growth, the two little budding hearts and the curving of the stem with the weight of the hearts. I can't seem to grow Bleeding Heart in my yard as the soil is too sandy so it is a pleasure to see them.
Janet Posted: 05/04/2021 15:44:44
(Group 65)
Thanks Janet for your comments. When I took this, I shot this at f-4 knowing I would have a very limited DOF. I didn't care that the leaves would not be sharp and maybe even a couple of the hearts. I was hoping for the middle heart to be sharp. Was pleased to find all four of the last four hearts sharp. The two little budding ones was a bonus and I feel important to the image. Posted: 05/04/2021 16:58:43
Because I tend to take lot of Nature shots I have come to realize that often one has to balance the "good with the bad" if one wants the shot. It seems to work out to my satisfaction most of the time especially when I take multiple shots.
When I go to take a "planned set-up" shot I'd like to have it come out as close to perfect as I can achieve. I guess I am more forgiving when dealing with Nature.
Posted: 05/04/2021 17:37:12
When I go to take a "planned set-up" shot I'd like to have it come out as close to perfect as I can achieve. I guess I am more forgiving when dealing with Nature.
Posted: 05/04/2021 17:37:12
Hi Dick, This is a beautiful capture of a Fuchsia. I love the dreamy background and the composition is suburb. My only suggestion would be to consider darkening the few leaves off on the left and maybe even removing the one on the very top left edge. My eye keeps drifting over to the left side and I want to linger on the branch with the hearts! Well done. Posted: 05/06/2021 15:27:16
(Group 65)
Thanks Karen for your comments. I agree with you the leaves on the far left could be removed. Sorry this is not a Fuchsia, this is Bleeding Heart. They are two different plants not even in the same family. Posted: 05/06/2021 16:58:43
Nice picture, Dick. I know that the challenge for doing such a picture is facing the wind. I presume you took that photo under a no-wind condition.
It is a real risk when taking such photo at wide aperture (f-4) as it is limiting severely the DOP. But in this particular case, the flowers are lined up perpendicular to the camera lens, so it works well.
I find the light very well balanced with no burned area and no underexposed area.
There is a good harminy in colors between the main subject and the background which is nicely out of focus to avoid being distracted.
I am wondering if you framed this photo to follow to golden ratio rather than the rule of third ? I like the way the branch starts from the lower left corner and form a pleasant curve.
Posted: 05/06/2021 23:15:32
It is a real risk when taking such photo at wide aperture (f-4) as it is limiting severely the DOP. But in this particular case, the flowers are lined up perpendicular to the camera lens, so it works well.
I find the light very well balanced with no burned area and no underexposed area.
There is a good harminy in colors between the main subject and the background which is nicely out of focus to avoid being distracted.
I am wondering if you framed this photo to follow to golden ratio rather than the rule of third ? I like the way the branch starts from the lower left corner and form a pleasant curve.
Posted: 05/06/2021 23:15:32
Hi, Dick,
The dreamy look conveyed by this image makes me smile. Shooting this at f/4 and getting all four of the last four hearts to be sharp is wonderful. I think Georges's explanation helps me understand this better. Those sweet budding blooms suggest the promise of new growth and enhance the emotional content of this image for me. I enjoy seeing the harmonious blending of colors and gentle light in this nature image. Posted: 05/12/2021 10:57:19
The dreamy look conveyed by this image makes me smile. Shooting this at f/4 and getting all four of the last four hearts to be sharp is wonderful. I think Georges's explanation helps me understand this better. Those sweet budding blooms suggest the promise of new growth and enhance the emotional content of this image for me. I enjoy seeing the harmonious blending of colors and gentle light in this nature image. Posted: 05/12/2021 10:57:19
When I opened this, I only saw the photo, not the title. I immediately thought -- what sad-looking flowers! And then I read the title. I see how they got their name. . . I love the clarity of the flowers and their stem. The little buds offer hope (or more sadness?). I like the softening of the leaves and the background. Posted: 05/24/2021 18:45:30