Dick States
May 2022 - Iris
About the Image(s)
My image for May is a selective focus image if an Iris. As everyone may already know selective focus is taking a picture, in this case an Iris, with the lens wide open. With the lens wide open and doing a close-up you have a very limited depth of field. I like to find a bed of flowers so there is some depth to the bed. You focus on a flower that's in the bed with other flowers in front and behind the main flower you are shooting. You maneuver the camera so that the flowers up front are part way in the frame, maybe 1/3 into the frame but not in front of the main flower or subject. These flowers are almost against the lens. The far flowers, the ones behind the main flower are to the right in this case. You manual focus on the main subject and with the shallow DOF the only parts sharp is the main subject. I hope this explains what I did here. This is fun to do but is not as easy as you might think. You have to play with this till it works some times it doesn't work. If you have questions please ask. I have used these for title slides for programs.
I used a tripod as I always do with a cable release. 200 macro lens with a polarizer, f-4, 1/100 sec., ISO 200.
9 comments posted
I also like very much the yellow/read area in the center giving some warm colors where it count most.
Well done Posted: 05/09/2022 13:01:36
With the lens wide open this is not all that hard with the wind. I like to shoot early morning or late in the afternoon. This is the time of day when the wind is calm if is going to be calm.
The hardest thing about selective focus is finding the three parts with the correct spacing going from front to back that line up in a pleasing composition. Actually, there have been times I have held the near part of the composition in my left hand almost up against the lens and move that part in and out while looking through the view finder until you get the look you want. This would make a great self-assignment everyone should try. It's fun to try something new and different. Posted: 05/09/2022 18:15:35
Thank you for sharing the detailed explanation of how you set-up this shot and approached it. Like, Georges, I love the colors of Irises, especially the royal purple ones, and think you have captured them beautifully. The choice of selective focus really highlights the one iris while revealing some context of the scene. I enjoy seeing the contrast of the softness communicated by the blurred background with the tack sharp focus on the details of the main subject. Also, showing a bit of the the flower stalk/stem grounds the bloom and reinforces the foundation for me. Thanks for sharing this beauty!
Posted: 05/09/2022 13:23:41
Read with interest your explanation and process of selective focus. I especially like the soft appearance of the blossom and the hint of red in the main blossom. The lower left-hand side appears to me to be a bit heavy and tries to call my attention away from the beautiful petals and wonderful detail in the center of the plant. Is this particular Iris what is called the Japanese Iris blossom?
Nicely done.
Janet Posted: 05/09/2022 14:52:02
(Group 48)