Diana Duffey
May 2022 - Rudbeckia Flower Bud
About the Image(s)
I went to the garden center this weekend and I found a Rudbeckia plant. It has several flowers already blooming.
I can’t wait to plant it in my garden. I took this photo inside. I used my Sony a7R4 and the Soft Focus II lensbaby. I used
one light, a reflector and a tripod. ISO 400, SS 1/10. I took the image into photoshop, duplicated the layer, selected the flower
and placed it on a separate layer. I blended the copy of the background layer using the smudge brush and the mixer
brush. I merged the selected layer and blended layer by doing a shift, option, control E. I appreciated your comments.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted
The flower looks nice but may be soft? If you did not do everything you did what would it look like? I guess I am not into multiple steps to create an image. Posted: 05/18/2022 15:59:39
My first reaction to this image was Wow !! I love the colors of the background and the bud itself is interesting. The light reflecting on the lower right leaf is a bit distracting, and I would have liked to see more "room" above the flower. I do like the softness of the image.
I have no idea what smudge brush or mixer brush are -- if that's Photoshop, then I need to learn more. Posted: 05/18/2022 18:25:39
I have no idea what smudge brush or mixer brush are -- if that's Photoshop, then I need to learn more. Posted: 05/18/2022 18:25:39
(Group 47)
I'm not familiar with lensbaby - you mention the ss and iso but not the fstop. I too think the image looks just a tad soft, but a nice composition and the colors compliment one another very nicely. Posted: 05/20/2022 08:43:59
Interesting, beautiful image. I'm not sure about the top of the petals being so close in tones & brightness to the background. I'm not sure about the leaves being the element most in focus. That may not matter since the flower is so much brighter, though I would like to see what would happen if the petals were the sharpest. When using the Soft Focus II, now I always stop all the way down for at least one shot. Sometimes, that is my favorite shot. Posted: 05/21/2022 16:22:55
You put a lot of work into taking and making this image! Overall, nicely lit and the leaves are exquisitely sharp. I do agree with others, though, that the flower is too soft. If it were sharper, it would stand out more from the background despite being a similar shade of yellow. Posted: 05/24/2022 15:24:49
I've tried Lensbaby lenses in a few workshops, but haven't bought one of my own. I suspect my hesitance is because it takes some practice to get the settings and focus just right, which I think you did well with the green leaves of the flower. They are inviting to look at and then seen the little details on the leaves. Posted: 05/26/2022 15:02:42