Gaetan Manuel
August 2026 - From the garden
Original
About the Image(s)
I am sending the photo of a flower ( I do not know its name!) from my garden. I also attach a photo of the whole plant.
Tamron 90mm macro lens on Nikon D750 body, f/40, 1/200s, ISO 100.
6 comments posted
I don't even see this stem in the original! You must have pulled it out very carefully. I like the stark background but wish the buds were a bit sharper. Very interesting! Posted: 08/03/2026 14:41:00
The original does not show the complete flower, but only the plant without the flower. Posted: 08/04/2026 08:00:43
Hi Gaetan: An interesting flower stalk with what appears to be unopened flower buds.
You have a very large range of exposure on this flower stalk, the bottom is very under exposed and the top part is very over exposed. A good way to prevent this is to use a lighting diffuser, it would even out the lighting on the flower stalk to the point all parts would have correct exposure.
I would also consider using a thin white border similar to what Ed has used on his white lily picture.
Posted: 08/04/2026 02:40:42
You have a very large range of exposure on this flower stalk, the bottom is very under exposed and the top part is very over exposed. A good way to prevent this is to use a lighting diffuser, it would even out the lighting on the flower stalk to the point all parts would have correct exposure.
I would also consider using a thin white border similar to what Ed has used on his white lily picture.
Posted: 08/04/2026 02:40:42
I think this is a nice capture of the buds on the stalk as they are just starting to open. I like the vertical presentation and the way in which you have the stalk going diagonally through the frame.
I'm not comfortable with the lighting and I'm in agreement with Murphy. The light seems to be on the upper part of the stalk, but not all the way up to the top. For my taste it would be OK if you had the light starting at the very top and then slowly dropping off as you got down to the bottom of the stalk. If that didn't work for you then I'd go with Murphy's suggestion. I also think the image would work better with a sharper focus and depth of field. Posted: 08/12/2026 17:04:57
I'm not comfortable with the lighting and I'm in agreement with Murphy. The light seems to be on the upper part of the stalk, but not all the way up to the top. For my taste it would be OK if you had the light starting at the very top and then slowly dropping off as you got down to the bottom of the stalk. If that didn't work for you then I'd go with Murphy's suggestion. I also think the image would work better with a sharper focus and depth of field. Posted: 08/12/2026 17:04:57
I agree with the comments about the light (the border is a personal choice, but, personally, I also think it is better in some cases as this one).
However I really like the gradient of light intensity through the picture, and the composition even if it is simple.
The opened bud (on the left) is very interesting and catches may attention as the others are closed. Posted: 08/21/2026 10:19:38
However I really like the gradient of light intensity through the picture, and the composition even if it is simple.
The opened bud (on the left) is very interesting and catches may attention as the others are closed. Posted: 08/21/2026 10:19:38
Hi Gaetan,
I really like how the strong black background isolates the plant, turning the arrangement of the buds into a sculptural study of growth.
The diagonal curve adds a lovely dynamic energy to the frame, guiding the eye from bottom to top-from darkness into light. A uniquely interesting capture! Posted: 08/23/2026 18:26:34
I really like how the strong black background isolates the plant, turning the arrangement of the buds into a sculptural study of growth.
The diagonal curve adds a lovely dynamic energy to the frame, guiding the eye from bottom to top-from darkness into light. A uniquely interesting capture! Posted: 08/23/2026 18:26:34