Mike Cohen
December 2025 - Flowers on Cypress
Original
About the Image(s)
I like to combine kayaking with photography and was recently in the NE corner of Texas as well as a central Florida lake shooting the Cypress Trees. At this particular lake many of the trees had flowers growing at their base. I was attracted to this one thinking I could use the darker background behind the flowers in an attempt to isolate them. As you can see from the original, besides cropping I primarily used the masking tools in Lightroom to lighten the flowers and darken most of the rest of the image. I finished it off in NIK to add some local contrast and adjust the colors a bit. Sony a1ii, 24-105mm lens @ 38mm, f/5.6, 1/40th of a second, ISO 100; handheld out of my kayak.
1 comment posted
Since moving to Arkansas a number of years ago I have learned to love the swamps and bayous. To me they are moody, mysterious and beautiful. That is exactly what I see in this image. These yellow flowers are common in the bayous in late summer and early fall. To me the story is how ancient the bald cypress trees are and how fresh and new the flowers are.
I think the crop you chose puts the focus right where the party is and eliminates the distracting bright spots above. Your post processing has produced a work of art in my opinion. Posted: 12/16/2025 19:18:37
I think the crop you chose puts the focus right where the party is and eliminates the distracting bright spots above. Your post processing has produced a work of art in my opinion. Posted: 12/16/2025 19:18:37