Murphy Hektner, APSA
September 2023 - Teasel Group
About the Image(s)
Teasels are a wayside weed from Europe now widely established across the United States in wayside areas. Teasels can make interesting pictures.
Here I used my Nikon D700 with Nikon 200 mm macro lens on tripod (1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 640). The Teasels were backlit with morning sun while the background are evergreen trees in shade (no wind at all).
This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted
What a fun display of these "blooms" (if one can call them that). I like how you got level with the blooms and captured them from the side view. To me this gives them equal prominence with the viewer, and enhances their presentation. The rim lighting setts these guys off nicely against the clean unintrusive background. The composition is especially effective in that there is little overlap between the subjects and each bloom has its own space horizontally speaking (i.e., they are not evenly space horizontally). The cleanliness of this presentation really set off the unique structure of each of these guys, something that is not fully captured within. There is so much detail that I wish I could enjoy more than what is shown here, but it might be difficult this give the distance required to capture these five blooms. I am not suggesting that I could have done better, but I do find myself wishing that a bit more detail was apparent within the head of each bloom. A small point and the overall image is quite impressive. Posted: 09/17/2023 11:27:42
Hi Charlie: I tried adding a bit of light to the shaded side of the Teasel seed heads, however to me the scene lost some impact without the high contrast. Posted: 09/18/2023 10:12:52
Understandable. It was worth the attempt though, try different things with our editing. Posted: 09/18/2023 10:19:35
Hi Murphy. An interesting "weed" with sharp focus as is the plant itself. Theasel make for a nice addition to a fall bouquet. I like how you found a straight line grouping of five. The lighting is superb on each specimen from top to bottom. Between the two of us we have differing opinions on the width of strokes around the frame. I feel as though this stroke is too narrow. Barely visible. I like the image with the plain background placing emphasis on the uneven number of subjects. Good work! Posted: 09/17/2023 13:55:40
Hi Priscilla and Charlie: Appreciate your input on the Teasel grouping. A lot of work went into this image and I will do my best to explain how this picture came about.
Width wise I am stretching Charlie's limits on width (a loaf of bread) by a small amount. Was very fortunate to find a grouping of 5 that was growing in a pretty straight line, I did not move any of these plants or place them in a container either, they were photographed as found.
However in order to make a successful composition I had to fasten a plant tie to each stalk just below the seed head and pull them into a perfect straight alignment so I could have perfect sharpness on each seed head which is vital. I pushed a large nail into the ground to fasten the plant tie to.
As you can well imagine this set-up took some time and a lot of patience to accomplish "just so". Cheers!
Posted: 09/18/2023 00:22:12
Width wise I am stretching Charlie's limits on width (a loaf of bread) by a small amount. Was very fortunate to find a grouping of 5 that was growing in a pretty straight line, I did not move any of these plants or place them in a container either, they were photographed as found.
However in order to make a successful composition I had to fasten a plant tie to each stalk just below the seed head and pull them into a perfect straight alignment so I could have perfect sharpness on each seed head which is vital. I pushed a large nail into the ground to fasten the plant tie to.
As you can well imagine this set-up took some time and a lot of patience to accomplish "just so". Cheers!
Posted: 09/18/2023 00:22:12
Hi Murphy, Thanks for explaining the methods of obtaining your "very successful" image of the teasel. I can appreciate the time and energy you have invested. A lesson for me! Patience makes perfect. Thanks for your explanation and sharing your great images.
Charlie, Thank you also, for being our administrator and giving all the informative comments and suggestions on our work. Posted: 09/18/2023 09:59:03
Charlie, Thank you also, for being our administrator and giving all the informative comments and suggestions on our work. Posted: 09/18/2023 09:59:03
Murphy...I like your Teasels display! Very nicely done with lighting that accentuates the detail in the Teasels. I have never heard of this plant variety but it is interesting. The time of day you selected to capture this picture was good planning on your part. Posted: 09/23/2023 21:44:51
(Groups 41 & 44 & 46)
visiting...
I love the lighting and texture on this. The backlighting and the dark background really work well here! Posted: 09/25/2023 10:16:12
I love the lighting and texture on this. The backlighting and the dark background really work well here! Posted: 09/25/2023 10:16:12
Hi Lisa: Thanks for your kind comments on the Teasel picture. Have missed having you in Group 63 the past several years and your helpful comments. cheers !! Posted: 09/25/2023 21:49:18