David Terao
October 2024 - Abstract Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus)
Original
About the Image(s)
When I started photographing this hibiscus, I was planning to shoot through its red petals looking at a flower in the distance. But the lens was focused at a much closer distance from a previous shot, and I saw this version on the back screen that I liked much better. It's kind of an abstract flower image. I liked how the dark pointed extrusions (not sure what they're called) contrasted against the backlit, red petals. Shot with a Nikon full-frame camera with a vintage Nikon 70-180mm macro zoom lens. Processed in Photoshop and Lightroom to increase contrast and vibrance. I also toned down and removed distracting highlights. Exposure was 1/500 sec @ f/5.6 and ISO 100.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
A great shot with great impact. Love the red with the yellow against the dark background. Love the unique angle you shot this at to get this view. This is what a good macro lens will do for you, but you have to see this shot first and picture it first in your mind. A shot like this is not a snapshot it's well thought out. I might crop off the bottom I don't feel the bottom contributes to the image. Great shot. Posted: 10/07/2024 01:35:58
Thank you, Dick. It's one of those shots you don't see with your eyes; only through the camera viewfinder. I've been debating whether to crop off the bottom as well. There is nothing of interest there, and it's blurry, but it seems to add a sense of balance to the image. Posted: 10/07/2024 11:41:33
Strong impact! The vibrant red and yellow petals and inner glow create the look of flames in a fire. Well done, David. Posted: 10/10/2024 21:10:38
Thank you, Barbara. I don't usually shoot abstract flower images, so I was quite pleased with this one. Posted: 10/10/2024 22:59:55
Impressive! Hibiscus can be difficult to photograph. You captured it well. I like the composition and point view. Posted: 10/16/2024 02:50:14
Thank you, Diana. I usually don't photograph hibiscuses because they don't speak to me. I was trying to "shoot through" the red petals when I saw this shot. It was purely serendipitous. Posted: 10/16/2024 10:46:08
Hi David, I really like your composition in this image and how the light illuminates the flower, creating a beautiful semi-transparent effect. This is a very strong visual image.
Posted: 10/26/2024 08:17:35
Posted: 10/26/2024 08:17:35
Thank you, Maria. The vibrant red color and curving "arms" create a strong, abstract graphic image. Posted: 10/26/2024 08:49:35
In this photo there are many "things" to deal with, beginning with the brilliant red petals and the dark strips underneath the bloom... If it were mine, I would crop off the bottom a bit more, as Dick has done. Good job otherwise. Posted: 10/27/2024 00:09:40
Thank you, Shirley. In the end, I did crop off the bottom of the image about half of what Dick suggested. Posted: 10/27/2024 09:08:47