Susan Bailey
August 2026 - Gladiolas
About the Image(s)
I brought home a bouquet of gladiolas and the sun backlit this bloom and I added a small light to the front of it in my sunroom.
I used a tripod with am ISO of 400. My lens was a 90mm Olympus macro on my OM1 camera. Settings wre 1/8 second and f/5.6
7 comments posted
Hi Susan: I love your composition, it is very artistically done.
Good exposure on the white Gladiolas flower, you have kept the mood in place without blowing out the white.
Using f5.6 as your aperture was a good starting point as you have attained good selective focus. Another possibility would be to experiment with various f stops like f/8 --f/11 -- and even f/16. Each of these f stops would give you a different look.
Posted: 08/04/2026 02:53:31
Good exposure on the white Gladiolas flower, you have kept the mood in place without blowing out the white.
Using f5.6 as your aperture was a good starting point as you have attained good selective focus. Another possibility would be to experiment with various f stops like f/8 --f/11 -- and even f/16. Each of these f stops would give you a different look.
Posted: 08/04/2026 02:53:31
Thank you, Murphy. I did experiment as it was such a close shot, but next year might do even more with the gladiolas. Posted: 08/04/2026 11:47:13
Your photo has a dreamy look. I feel something like a gentle softness, a glowing light bloom, nearing abstract ..... Posted: 08/04/2026 17:24:24
Thank you Gaetan... that was what I felt creating this image. Glad you enjoyed it. Posted: 08/04/2026 21:02:42
I think this is a very nice shot and I agree with Murphy as, for me, the artistic elements are what make it. I like your composition and how you have made the stamen's the main interest point along with the touch of contrasting color that they bring to the image. Your choice of back lighting is, in my opinion, very successful. I also like the way you worked the lighting. Posted: 08/16/2026 17:49:43
The beauty of simplicity, softness, light, the white and a flower. Really well done Susan.
It is also artistic.
We (include me) are "afraid" to use a small aperture (high f) to increase the DoF. As mentioned by Murphy, different pictures allow us to choose. Posted: 08/21/2026 10:26:31
It is also artistic.
We (include me) are "afraid" to use a small aperture (high f) to increase the DoF. As mentioned by Murphy, different pictures allow us to choose. Posted: 08/21/2026 10:26:31
Hi Susan,
Combining the natural sunlight backlighting with a subtle front fill creates a stunning translucent glow. It feels almost like looking at a delicate watercolor painting or layers of silk. Truly poetic and ethereal, great job! Posted: 08/23/2026 18:34:15
Combining the natural sunlight backlighting with a subtle front fill creates a stunning translucent glow. It feels almost like looking at a delicate watercolor painting or layers of silk. Truly poetic and ethereal, great job! Posted: 08/23/2026 18:34:15