Donna Sturla  


Tulip bending after rainfall by Donna Sturla

May 2022 - Tulip bending after rainfall

About the Image(s)

I went to a lovely place called Crystal Hermitage gardens near Nevada City, 90 minutes from home. They open to the public once a year and the tulips are planted yearly - by the hundreds, brand new bulbs. It's amazing.
I took this with my Nikon D7000 and a Nikon 50 mm fixed lens, at F 3.2, 1/1000 sec., ISO 200. I loved the raindrops on the flower and the way it bent with the weight. The background was "messy" so I applied a green texture with a layer mask and then erased it where the flower is. Please offer any and all comments and critiques.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
14 comments posted




Rich Krebs   Rich Krebs
I like to composition with the flower bending over with the water droplets. Definitely a different look.   Posted: 05/18/2022 15:48:01



Robert Cordivari   Robert Cordivari
(Group 47)
I like the composition also and the water droplets are a nice touch. I only distraction I see is the upper third of the background. Otherwise, a really nice composition and finished product.   Posted: 05/18/2022 16:26:08



Doug Wolters   Doug Wolters
Nice shot. For me, the background is a little bright. Focus is also tricky. The sharpest place is the petal 2/3 up the flower; the brightst place is where it meets the stem. I would have preferred both those places being in focus.   Posted: 05/21/2022 16:09:19
Donna Sturla   Donna Sturla
Good point, thanks for that. I think I was focusing on the water drops. Which I did not put there, it had just rained.
focus, focus, focus. light, light, light. All so important .
Thanks !   Posted: 05/21/2022 19:18:01
Doug Wolters   Doug Wolters
What is a good tutorial to learn how to apply textures?   Posted: 05/21/2022 19:47:17
Donna Sturla   Donna Sturla
I took a class from Bryan Peterson School of Photography, teacher was Kathleen Clemons. You can also take a class directly from her, just google her name and look for her classes. You have to buy the textures or try to create your own (harder than you think) but her classes are great.   Posted: 05/21/2022 20:00:52
 
I took a class of Kathleen's at CreativeLive.com, which I enjoyed (...I watched it when it was free, and then bought it when it was cheap). I like her artistic eye, which is something that I struggle with myself.   Posted: 05/26/2022 14:31:05



Diana Duffey   Diana Duffey
Donna, nice shot! I agree with the suggestions given. The tulip is a little bright. I often have the same problem with the light when taking photos of my flowers. I keep telling myself "soft even light"- sometimes it works. A diffuser helps. I really like the texture!   Posted: 05/24/2022 13:35:37
Donna Sturla   Donna Sturla
It was cloudy that day so I didn't think I needed the diffuser. I guess I should have taken multiple shots with different things in focus and with a diffuser!   Posted: 05/24/2022 15:00:13



Mark Aksoy   Mark Aksoy
You've caught the feel of a tulip bending under the weight of recent rainfall. I agree concerning focus: the upper third is sharp but could be sharper where stem meets flower. I also find the image overall too bright, with too much white light reflecting off the petals. To adjust for this, try experimenting with Lightroom or Camera Raw filter sliders: Blacks and Highlights (move to left) and/or Dehaze (move to right). They don't always work, but they're worth a try!   Posted: 05/24/2022 15:18:09
Donna Sturla   Donna Sturla
I know how to use the sliders but I don't understand what the dehaze slider is for. I will go back into Lightroom and see what I can do with this image, and I really appreciate your suggestions !!
Donna   Posted: 05/24/2022 15:40:41
Mark Aksoy   Mark Aksoy
The Dehaze slider (as I understand it!) was originally intended to reduce haze in landscapes. But it also can add drama to overcast skies. And it can sometimes reduce diffuse patches of reflected (white) light on object surfaces!   Posted: 05/24/2022 16:58:33
Donna Sturla   Donna Sturla
Well, thanks ! I will try it more often. Much appreciated, Mark.
Donna   Posted: 05/24/2022 17:26:04
 
I agree with the focus, especially since the water drop right in front is not in focus. That said, I realize the challenge of short depth of field and getting all the important things in focus. I haven't yet been patient enough to try focus stacking in camera.   Posted: 05/26/2022 14:33:08