Raymond Tice
September 2023 - Sunflower
Original
About the Image(s)
Sunflower variety - Nikon D850 with 105 mm lens, 1/40 sec at f/4.5, -2 EV, iso 320, 150 stacked images taken using a tripod in my workroom, loaded into LR, run through Helicon Focus using method C. Back in LR, cropped, cleaned up in PS with a different color background added.
When I looked at the original, my eyes were drawn to some of the leaves so I tried different crops and decided on this one. I was also drawn to the large leaf in the original on the right as a possible stand-alone object. Sometimes, you take a photo and find many different versions depending on how you crop.
9 comments posted
Hi Ray: You have provided an image with very dramatic lighting which creates a lot of impact with the way you have set up your lighting; then with your 150 stacked images, sharpness is simply as good as it gets. You have chosen the perfect darkened background color as it blends so well with the flower petals. It would be my personal preference to see the entire flower within the frame instead of being cut off in the middle.
Posted: 09/05/2023 01:58:05
Posted: 09/05/2023 01:58:05
Excellent technical skills demonstrated Ray. I agree with Murphy as I like the original crop and processed with your creative genius. Posted: 09/06/2023 13:39:05
Sure there is a lot of work here! The sharpness and background are fine. But I would like to see the whole flower! Posted: 09/07/2023 10:54:46
For me, the focus is on the light on the leaves and if I included the entire flower, it would have diminished that focus but I understand your view. Posted: 09/07/2023 11:02:51
Hi Ray: Sometimes photographing flowers is full of "compromises", if you fix one situation to improve on it, then you mess up another part of the image so it is not what you would prefer. cheers Posted: 09/07/2023 14:09:08
Hi Ray: Have viewed this stunning flower image for a couple of weeks now and still amazed at the dramatic lighting and tremendous sharpness. The comments on composition by various members is interesting, we all have our points of view. Would like to add another two cents regarding cutting off the flower in the middle. I do not think it is vital to have the entire top flower in the frame, I would experiment and back off just a little and perhaps have 3/4 of the top flower showing instead of being cut off in the middle which seems kind of abrupt. Of course, just my own personal thoughts. Regards...
Posted: 09/21/2023 23:09:37
Posted: 09/21/2023 23:09:37
Murphy - I will see what having more of the flower showing feels like to me. I enjoyed the comments as they point out that different opinions are to be expected. Posted: 09/22/2023 20:28:39
On my screen top half of flower is missing I would include entire flower head if crop was intended
Nice and sharp I like your choice of colors and lighting Posted: 09/09/2023 21:20:18
Nice and sharp I like your choice of colors and lighting Posted: 09/09/2023 21:20:18
What can we say/write? Just great! Congratulations.
The light and sharpness on lower leaves is incredible. As mentioned, good choice for the background.
Good idea this composition.
I have never done that, I think I should try. Posted: 09/18/2023 02:20:48
The light and sharpness on lower leaves is incredible. As mentioned, good choice for the background.
Good idea this composition.
I have never done that, I think I should try. Posted: 09/18/2023 02:20:48