Judith Lesnaw  


Flight Dreams by Judith Lesnaw

October 2024 - Flight Dreams

October 2024 - Judith Lesnaw

Original

About the Image(s)

Three days ago I spotted the last bud on the rose bush outside my family room window. I ventured outside to photograph it, and while lining up the perfect angle I noticed a feather affixed to its sepal. I could not help but think that this bud dreamed of flying off to a warmer clime before the winter arrived. I call the image “Flight Dreams”.

Camera: Canon R 5 hand held; Lens: Canon RF 100mm macro; Settings: manual, 1/500sec, f 8, ISO 10,000 (I had set the ISO to automatic).

Processing: I imported the raw file into Lightroom Classic and cleaned up the background with the new generative AI remove tool in LRC. Then I cropped the image. Finally, I adjusted the color in NIK 7 Color Efex.

Has anyone a recommendation for a tripod/head that would safely work with the Canon R 5 and Canon RF 100-500mm lens. The combination is heavy and I do not want to risk it on the tripod I have.


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




Mike Cohen   Mike Cohen
Creative, as usual. The image looked out of focus to me, possibly contributed to by the high ISO. I thought going overboard a bit might be fun. I cloned some of the feather to cover the brightest area and dodged the feather area to the right. I then ran a NEO filter I never used, trying for something overboard. I was trying to get the cover to be the subject more than the flower/feather. Not sure if I succeeded but the image is susceptible to all kinds of different approaches.   Posted: 10/08/2024 12:26:54
Comment Image
Judith Lesnaw   Judith Lesnaw
The many interpretations that an image can assume is fascinating to me. When I processed this image I loved the background, but did not consider highlighting it. It looks wonderful in your version. I am not familiar with the "Neo" filter. What software includes it? I want to experiment with it. I particularly like your processing of the feather; it brings it to life. Many thanks!   Posted: 10/08/2024 13:14:32



Mike Cohen   Mike Cohen
My typing needs work. I said "cover to be the subject" which I think you properly interpreted as "color". The plugin for the filter I used is from Skylum Software called Luminar Neo. I don't use it often but probably because it is a large plug in with a lot to learn. It has a sky replacement feature as well as the ability to place a sun in a picture and adjust the sun temperature and rays that I like. I think they are in Ukraine, which also makes me feel favorably to them.

I have a tripod and head I use both for travel and locally which I love. The tripod is a FLM CP30-L4 II. B & H sells them and they offer several models. It is very strong and relatively light. The head I use is a Flex Shooter, medium size, although I think the smallest size would be sufficient for all but the heaviest of equipment. I paid extra to get the quick release plate as I am always taking my camera on and off the tripod as I prefer in most instances to hand hold.   Posted: 10/08/2024 16:17:51
Judith Lesnaw   Judith Lesnaw
Thank you so much. This is very helpful!   Posted: 10/11/2024 18:32:31



Ann Brixey   Ann Brixey
A nice image, I confess the background, although creamy left me feeling the image was a little flat. I like do like the PP that Mike did in bringing up the the background. For me at least, it gave the entire image depth.

Iechyd da

Ann   Posted: 10/13/2024 17:12:51
Judith Lesnaw   Judith Lesnaw
Thanks.   Posted: 10/21/2024 14:41:50



Pamela Hoaglund   Pamela Hoaglund
A lovely flower and I like that you left the feather in it's place (I'm sure I would have removed it) and you added an imaginative title. At first look I thought the image was sharp but everything looks soft or out of focus except a small area on the front of the flower. This could be from handholding. I think it is an image worth working with and trying some creative edits.   Posted: 10/13/2024 19:46:24
Judith Lesnaw   Judith Lesnaw
Thanks Pamela. I will try some of the creative approaches suggested in our dialog. I think the wind also contributed to the focus.   Posted: 10/21/2024 14:48:20



Sharon Prislipsky   Sharon Prislipsky
Good job seeing something that is a bit unusual with this feather on the rose. The rose appears to be a perfect specimen and II like the slight diagonal of the stem. To me this suggests a crop that would be more of a portrait orientation rather than 1:1. I think it would more effectively draw the eye through the image. I wuld also add a slight vignette.
The image looks fairly soft to me. I think if it was mine I would try to create an effect that mimics watercolor. I believe it has artistic potential, but as it is feel the softness is a liability.   Posted: 10/16/2024 13:08:45
Judith Lesnaw   Judith Lesnaw
Thanks Sharon. I will try the portrait crop and vignette. I also love the idea of a watercolor effect.   Posted: 10/21/2024 14:52:51



Polly Krauter   Polly Krauter
I love the way you see things that I would miss. You might consider cropping down more. The downey edge of the feather might benefit with a little darkening. Sharon's suggestion of applying a water color effect is a fun idea. This is another lovely image. I have a ball-head from Really Right Stuff (BH-55 Pro), RRS tripod and a Canon mount adapter. It is a heavy setup to carry, but very stable. I mostly handhold my camera now.   Posted: 10/16/2024 17:22:44
Judith Lesnaw   Judith Lesnaw
Thanks Polly, and thanks for the tripod info. Even though most of the time I hand hold the camera for ease of angle, sometimes a tripod is called for and I fear mine would not be sufficiently stable.   Posted: 10/21/2024 14:57:07