Alison Johnson
March 2025 - Libertyville Rose
About the Image(s)
Nikon Z6ii, Nikkor 105mm f/2, FL: 105mm, Matrix Metered, f/5, Aperture Priority
Shutter Speed: 1/1,250
Edited original in Photoshop (full/latest version)
Step in PS: Cropped, cleaned up rose spotting with heal/spot fix tools, slight sharpening, vibrance and saturation altered and levels moved to enhance shadows, took the exposure up and added exposure offset. Removed a tiny petal showing on back left.Softened edges. Darkened and blurred background.
Looks like a box from a Chocolate box from when I was a child. This was first time using new 105mm lens. Light was not good that day. Was in early fall. This 105mm lens is fantastic but takes no prisoners-you have to get it inch perfect all round.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted
ISO 1000 Posted: 03/01/2025 12:09:57
Hi Alison: For someone who is new to photography you are doing an amazing job using your Photoshop tools to their best advantage.
Tonality, sharpness, exposure are all spot on.
All photographers have their own view regarding composition and how they want to present their subject within the frame. I do not think the out of focus petals on each side of the rose flower add anything; I would consider cropping the sides to match the top and bottom. Another alternative is to use f/16 aperture, that F stop would add a lot of depth of field and probably bring the two outer petals into better focus.
Another possibility is to add a thin white or color border to frame your composition from the the black web page.
A good learning tool would be to look back at previous rounds and view the pictures and read the comments.
cheers... Posted: 03/02/2025 11:52:14
Tonality, sharpness, exposure are all spot on.
All photographers have their own view regarding composition and how they want to present their subject within the frame. I do not think the out of focus petals on each side of the rose flower add anything; I would consider cropping the sides to match the top and bottom. Another alternative is to use f/16 aperture, that F stop would add a lot of depth of field and probably bring the two outer petals into better focus.
Another possibility is to add a thin white or color border to frame your composition from the the black web page.
A good learning tool would be to look back at previous rounds and view the pictures and read the comments.
cheers... Posted: 03/02/2025 11:52:14
Will do that, Thank you.
Posted: 03/03/2025 16:16:14
Posted: 03/03/2025 16:16:14
And BTW the F stop you are absolutely right. I oftentimes get lazy and dont pack my tripod when I know it gives me more options in the macro! Posted: 03/03/2025 16:42:20
Back in the slide film days with low ISO ratings of 25 for K-25, and then Velvia 50 we had no choice but to use a tripod on many macro shots. I just got used to using one.
Today times have changed with most new digital camera bodies capable of using a far higher ISO rating. It is now possible to boost your ISO setting and hand hold some images. All of that being said I still use my tripod for many images as I can fine tune my composition better. You cannot see all four corners of the frame at the same time !! Take Care... Posted: 03/05/2025 22:07:18
Today times have changed with most new digital camera bodies capable of using a far higher ISO rating. It is now possible to boost your ISO setting and hand hold some images. All of that being said I still use my tripod for many images as I can fine tune my composition better. You cannot see all four corners of the frame at the same time !! Take Care... Posted: 03/05/2025 22:07:18
Alison, the colors are gorgeous, the petal pattern outstanding. Great image of a rose. I agree about getting rid of the petals out of focus. I use the 105mm lens for all my flower photography - its a great lens but agree that using a tripod helps when the flower or the plant has a lot of depth. Did the iso need to be 1000 given you used a shutter speed of 1/1250? Given the camera you used, could you have used a different combination, including a higher f-stop?. In some situations, I have often used several different combinations of shutter speed vs f-stop, letting the iso go where it needs to go, and then check out which combination worked best in post. Also, your camera offers focus stacking, which does require a tripod but provides a way to get the entire flower/object in focus after merging the multiple images in for example Helicon Focus. If you haven't used this method, I can provide more details. Ray Posted: 03/13/2025 19:45:33
This is easily one of the best pieces of feedback I have had since starting photography. I did not use photo stacking yet but I will be now! Yes i need to get more confident with the F-stop.Yes, ISO was 1,000 hence more grain. I want to learn the art of a crisp, well exposed and composed picture rather than rely on post, and your feedback helps me hone in on that. thank you Posted: 03/14/2025 14:42:21
Nice picture with color and light. Interesting comments to learn. Always useful to have other views and analysis.
Indeed in this situation, different combinaison of aperture allow the maker to choose.
I agree the out of focus leaves didn't add anything. In this case, as you have a circle with the leaves, why not to try a square format ? Just a suggestion.
Posted: 03/23/2025 10:18:29
Indeed in this situation, different combinaison of aperture allow the maker to choose.
I agree the out of focus leaves didn't add anything. In this case, as you have a circle with the leaves, why not to try a square format ? Just a suggestion.
Posted: 03/23/2025 10:18:29