Emil Davidzuk
August 2026 - Cornflower Still Life
Original
About the Image(s)
It has been very hot here in the St Louis area ??“ 120+F heat index so staying inside was the prudent course of action. I decided to try a few still life shots to stay acquainted with my camera. I have a light box, flowers in the back yard and few vases.
Workflow: I found a NIK Silver Efex preset with dark border for the BW and opened up the center area a bit. I added more canvas at the top so there was more breathing room. I selected the coneflower in Lightroom and added texture & clarity on the petals.
Camera: OM-1 Mk II Olympus 12-100 f4 lens at 15mm. 1/15sec f11, ISO 6400, -1EV
9 comments posted
Emil - great flower arrangement and great post treatment to bring out the details of the flowers and vase against a neutral background. Did you consider using a slower shutter speed ( on a tripod) to reduce the ISO?
Cheers
Mike Posted: 08/02/2026 18:40:52
Cheers
Mike Posted: 08/02/2026 18:40:52
Michael,
You make a valid point about ISO, my inertia kept me from getting my tripod. I am going to set up a dedicated space in my basement that will have a tripod etc so this process is more efficient.
Thank for your kind words
Emil Posted: 08/02/2026 19:44:17
You make a valid point about ISO, my inertia kept me from getting my tripod. I am going to set up a dedicated space in my basement that will have a tripod etc so this process is more efficient.
Thank for your kind words
Emil Posted: 08/02/2026 19:44:17
Hello Michael, I'm new to this group and when I first looked at your image, I said "OOH, I wish I had taken this picture!" I love it. I might try to bring down the highlights in the vase, but other than that, Wow.
Donna Posted: 08/09/2026 22:16:26
Donna Posted: 08/09/2026 22:16:26
Hi Emil another beautiful still life. I can echo your and Mike's thoughts that the picture might benefit from a lower ISO choice. Br, a Posted: 08/12/2026 12:52:44
Emil, it's an absolutely gorgeous photograph. I love the composition and your handling of the background. I agree with Donna about the bright streak in the vase, so I played with your image a bit in Camera Raw. While I was at it, I made the "spikey" plants a bit brighter. Whatda ya think?
Posted: 08/14/2026 14:29:36
Posted: 08/14/2026 14:29:36
Pete,
Well done The subject pops and vase does not
Emil Posted: 08/14/2026 15:16:26
Well done The subject pops and vase does not
Emil Posted: 08/14/2026 15:16:26
Emil - This is a very nice still-life image of coneflowers. They are one of my favorite summer subjects because of their interesting texture and shape.
I like how you arranged the still life and the lighting you used. The only change I would suggest is to the stems behind the flower. Try to keep them consistent with the rest of the flower instead of letting them fade into the background. To me, the fading makes the mask more noticeable.
I am not sure whether Photoshop or Lightroom Classic can handle this cleanly, but you might try removing those stems from the mask. Posted: 08/22/2026 12:38:13
I like how you arranged the still life and the lighting you used. The only change I would suggest is to the stems behind the flower. Try to keep them consistent with the rest of the flower instead of letting them fade into the background. To me, the fading makes the mask more noticeable.
I am not sure whether Photoshop or Lightroom Classic can handle this cleanly, but you might try removing those stems from the mask. Posted: 08/22/2026 12:38:13
Chris
Good input on the grasses that are the background for the coneflower. I am not as meticulous as I should be at times
Thanks for your comments
Emil Posted: 08/23/2026 16:32:24
Good input on the grasses that are the background for the coneflower. I am not as meticulous as I should be at times
Thanks for your comments
Emil Posted: 08/23/2026 16:32:24
Hi Emil,
Greetings my friend,
A great still life arrangements, with your corn flowers setup. I loved the outcome from the original; including the monochrome conversion. Our freind Pete has also tweaked a bit on your image, I also loved his version of the edit too.
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal.
Posted: 08/23/2026 13:39:44
Greetings my friend,
A great still life arrangements, with your corn flowers setup. I loved the outcome from the original; including the monochrome conversion. Our freind Pete has also tweaked a bit on your image, I also loved his version of the edit too.
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal.
Posted: 08/23/2026 13:39:44