Mark Bamberger  


Summer's Sad End  by Mark Bamberger

October 2025 - Summer's Sad End

October 2025 - Mark Bamberger

Original

About the Image(s)

This is the same flower as in last month's photo (after laying on my counter for a month). I think flowers not in their prime (or dead) often exhibit beautiful detail. Photo taken inside against black backdrop using LED lighting. A stack of 10 pics using Helicon Focus; edited in LrC and then background added in PS.

R6II; RF 100mm macro; f/5.6; 1/6 sec; ISO 200


6 comments posted




David Terao   David Terao
I can appreciate the art of wabi-sabi in photography, especially in flower photography because the beauty of flowers is so impermanent and degrades so quickly. You captured a good example of wabi sabi with this sunflower with all its fine, wrinkled details. Actually, I prefer your original image because it has more details in the stem, and my preference is a black background in this case. I would also suggest adding some brightness to the dark center to bring out some detail. Excellent work!   Posted: 10/02/2025 14:30:36



Mark Bamberger   Mark Bamberger
David, thanks for your comments. The older I get the more I appreciate wabi-sabi :)! I struggled with the background, so thought I throw this out to the group for suggestions. I tried to lighten the center, but I agree it could use some more brightness. Sometimes the photo looks brighter on my monitor in LrC than when I export. I have similar issue when printing and often have to increase exposure 1/3 stop or more. Again, thanks for the suggestions.   Posted: 10/02/2025 16:11:06



Dick States   Dick States
I like this very much. Like your composition. For my eye I like the background. Nice sharp details in the petals. I agree with David about the center. Great image.   Posted: 10/05/2025 20:38:04



Barbara Asacker   Barbara Asacker
Love this old beauty. It dried beautifully. Dried flowers have so much texture and character. Nicely composed with sharp details. I like the teal background complementing the red sunflower. Well done.   Posted: 10/06/2025 13:06:12



Denise McKay   Denise McKay
I also appreciate aged flowers and you captured this one very well. I like the curve of the stem with the flower head slightly bent down, adding to the impression of what can happen as one gets older.

I'm torn between the green or black background. I like them both for different reasons. The green compliments the red flower and picks up some of the other green tones in the stem and back of the flower. But the black adds a "sad" mood to the image as well. So, I think either can work.   Posted: 10/06/2025 18:33:23



Mark Bamberger   Mark Bamberger
Thanks for your suggestions. I appreciate. I attach an image with the black background.   Posted: 10/07/2025 15:13:11
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