Michael Ross  


Weeping Willow by Michael Ross

May 2021 - Weeping Willow

About the Image(s)

I was trying to capture the earliest signs of spring here in the Massachusetts area. As I watched the willow go through from bud to its "pussy" to flower and seed I was intrigued by this progression and found this particularly beautiful when closely examined via macro.

Here I used my Canon 5D Mark III. 100 mm macro lens, with ring flash. ISO 100, 1/200 sec. F14. I wanted to maximize DOF, and found that this provided a black background which brought all of the attention to the willow itself. Other than minimal cropping no major post processing.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted




Charles Ginsburgh   Charles Ginsburgh
(Group 63)
There are many great things about but this image. The simple composition, color and clarity of the subjects many this a compelling shot. However it still leaves me a bit flat, and I feel that it can be so much more. You have captured the dichotomy between the soft fuzzy buds and the detail within, but there is so much more interesting detail to reveal here. There is texture and dimension in the buds, and interesting detail in the stem, that this presentation only hints at.

If this were my image I would selectively boost the contrast, clarity and sharpness to deliver more of the inherent detail within. I have included a version of this image with these modifications to illustrate my thoughts better. See what you think.
  Posted: 05/10/2021 14:34:04
Comment Image
Thanks: I do like the increase in clarity, sharpness: my initial concern had been that this may have been too contrasty, but there is a surprising amount of detail that I had missed.   Posted: 05/10/2021 15:00:31



 
Michael, Charles raises good points. I agree that the composition is very pleasing to the eye. I would like to see more contrast (particularly a boosting of the orange/red) and greater sharpness. There's potential for a great image here.   Posted: 05/21/2021 07:48:22
Thanks! Appreciate the feedback   Posted: 05/24/2021 08:22:00



 
This is a nice image that has so many interesting facets to it. Your composition is well done and I'm glad to see the stem not coming from the corner. Some are a fan of this, but for me, not so much. Your stem coming from the bottom and slightly to the left (for me anyway) helps it stand alone rather part of the image edge. I think the increased contrast and sharpness does enhance what you've captured.

Strange that the pussy willow blooms (?) are so soft now that I see your rendition of the buds. As a kid we had a giant pussy willow in the yard, but I never thought to look at the buds. Glad you shared - good eye!   Posted: 05/22/2021 12:33:01
Thanks. I am intrigued by your point re stem being slightly off the corner: I had not thought about that previously. Interesting also how flower blooms take on so many different forms as they progress through their life cycle.   Posted: 05/24/2021 08:23:57