Murphy Hektner, APSA
April 2025 - Forget-me-nots
About the Image(s)
This situation presented an opportunity to use selective focus technique at a mid f/stop aperture. Using a small f/stop like f/16 with a lot of depth of field did not work here at all, as the background became very busy and distracting with the added depth of field. Using f/6.3 was adequate to have most of the flowers quite sharp, while allowing the background to be a well out of focus blur of green and blue which created a nice soft mood that fit the flower grouping well.
Forget-me-nots are found in moist forests across the Northern U.S. and also Northern Europe. It is the State Flower of Alaska.
Here I employed my tripod mounted Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm macro lens to collect this single image (1/160 sec, f/ 6.3, ISO 640), It was a cloudy day with no wind and I used a soft gold reflector. Post processed in Elements.
9 comments posted
Murphy...This is a lovely, dreamy picture of forget-me-nots. My latest photography endeavor is learning about the Lensbaby lenses and the beautiful softness they can produce. It's an art I have not learned but in the process and your picture could certainly represent one of their works of art. The colors are gorgeous and wonderful composition. Posted: 04/11/2025 18:27:21
Hi Barbara: Thank you for your positive comments on Forget-Me-Nots, very much appreciated.
Have not used the Lensbaby system myself, will look forward to viewing your flower images photographed with that system.
I love selective focus flower photography. It is a challenge to do well however the challenge is the fun part. Just keep practicing at it and soon you will be producing fine quality selective focus flower images. Posted: 04/12/2025 05:34:51
Have not used the Lensbaby system myself, will look forward to viewing your flower images photographed with that system.
I love selective focus flower photography. It is a challenge to do well however the challenge is the fun part. Just keep practicing at it and soon you will be producing fine quality selective focus flower images. Posted: 04/12/2025 05:34:51
Hi Murphy, A beautiful image! I like the color tone and soft lighting. I think the composition is not perfect, a little busy with subjects, and it is a little hard to tell where the view focus point is. If it is mine, probably I only shoot one bunch of flowers (Or using f4 only focus on one bunch of flowers). Thanks for sharing! Posted: 04/13/2025 15:38:59
In this image it is quite clear that the maker is attempting to create a nice soft mood that fits the flower grouping within. The maker also discusses the challenge of capturing sufficient subject detail without the capture of a distracting background. In this case the maker has accomplished both of these objectives. The color and grouping of the blooms are quite effective, and the background supports the presentation without being distracting. I do find though that the blooms begin to blend into the background a bit. Perhaps this is due to the similarity of the color and tones between the subject blooms and blue soft blooms in the background. Here I might suggest darkening the background a bit to achieve a tonal difference between the subjects and the surrounds. I fell that this could be done without sacrificing your vision of a soft moody presentation. Posted: 04/14/2025 17:46:18
Hi Murphy,
Thank you for a very fine example of a selective focus with relatively thin depth of field to create a "dreamy" image. Very well done.
I find it very difficult to perform this technique "just right".
I am also looking forward to see Barbara's images with the Lensbaby system.
Posted: 04/14/2025 21:27:00
Thank you for a very fine example of a selective focus with relatively thin depth of field to create a "dreamy" image. Very well done.
I find it very difficult to perform this technique "just right".
I am also looking forward to see Barbara's images with the Lensbaby system.
Posted: 04/14/2025 21:27:00
Hi All: Thanks for your positive input on For-Get-Me-Nots.
Pierre: You are so very right regarding your statement "Just Right". In order to have a successful selective focus flower image I have come to the conclusion the stars have to be in a 'perfect alignment' for it to happen. Everything has to be "just so" and if one star is out of perfect alignment just a little your picture will be compromised in some way.
My best success has been at home where I have more control of the background and etc. Posted: 04/16/2025 05:34:15
Pierre: You are so very right regarding your statement "Just Right". In order to have a successful selective focus flower image I have come to the conclusion the stars have to be in a 'perfect alignment' for it to happen. Everything has to be "just so" and if one star is out of perfect alignment just a little your picture will be compromised in some way.
My best success has been at home where I have more control of the background and etc. Posted: 04/16/2025 05:34:15
We also tend to spend a bit more time when we are at home (as opposed to being "in the field"). I find that in taking more time, my images tend to be a bit better. These images are generally not 'snapshots' and take time and effort to create. This is such an important point that many photographers overlook. Posted: 04/16/2025 18:08:48
This is a great suggestion. Posted: 04/16/2025 18:45:55
Murphy, what a captivating image of lovely Forget-Me-Nots! I love the flowers as well as the soft background. Posted: 04/15/2025 21:52:10