Doug Wolters
July 2025 - Dangerous Sunflower
Original
About the Image(s)
Shot with a Canon R6 M2, Canon 100 RF lens, stacked in camera from 27 images, processed a in Helicon, 1/8 sec at f/ 8. My wife suggested that I make this a B&W. Processed first in LR, then PS, then Nick Silver Effects, then back to LR..
12 comments posted
It's an interesting image. Personally I'm not sure I like the blue tone and I'd also like to see some of the stem. I wish this had a stroke - very thin but enough to keep the sunflower from just floating. Posted: 07/06/2025 05:18:22
Your right -- if displayed against a black background, it definitely needs a stroke. If you blow up this image, there is a small stroke. Sometimes, though, I think a stroke distracts. Posted: 07/13/2025 00:50:37
I like the stroke for this one. Posted: 07/13/2025 00:53:48
A nice specimen Doug. I take it that the bonding of left & right sides makes the "Dangerous". I would not of used the blue silver vs white edges. I do however like the centers being brighter than the black/dark brown. Posted: 07/08/2025 01:00:15
Certainly looks dangerous! Really a creative way of expressing this sunflower, with its jaggedness and sharpness. There are times when going mono does the trick. Also, it looks like you put a blue tint on it, which I like. Well done. Posted: 07/09/2025 17:21:41
I love the textures in this image and your conversion to black/white enhances their effect well. I'm conflicted about the blue tone. It does make the portrayal unique, but I think a straight black/white without the blue tone would be worth exploring. I also like your original. The contrast between the yellow/orange and the green is very pleasing. Of course it's less dangerous.... Posted: 07/14/2025 16:32:49
Doug, you certainly know how to make a fading/dying flower blossom again. The mono version certainly is a good choice for this image as viewers are drawn more to the texture of the petals. I also like contrast between the outer, the petals and the inner part of the flower. Just not sure of the blue tone. Well done Posted: 07/21/2025 10:45:09
I like the blue tone because it makes it look more menacing.
What would you suggest? Sepia? Posted: 07/21/2025 16:01:36
What would you suggest? Sepia? Posted: 07/21/2025 16:01:36
Hi Doug, it's personal preferences. I respect and appreciate that you like the blue toning as it makes it look more "menacing".
I just think the blue toning is too even across the image. I used the gradient map with the perceptual method (b/w) and it gave more depth and contrast with good separation between white/grey and black. I don't think sepia would do.
I did use the blue tone as the basis for converting to b/w it might come out different with a colour image. Posted: 07/22/2025 10:51:08
I just think the blue toning is too even across the image. I used the gradient map with the perceptual method (b/w) and it gave more depth and contrast with good separation between white/grey and black. I don't think sepia would do.
I did use the blue tone as the basis for converting to b/w it might come out different with a colour image. Posted: 07/22/2025 10:51:08
Could you post the image? What is the "gradient map with the perceptual method (b&w)"? Posted: 07/22/2025 14:44:06
Hi Doug, as I understand you use PS. Gradient map is an adjustment layer in PS that you can use to re-colour an image. You can also use it to convert to black and white (b/w). In the properties menu there are "reverse" "dither" and "method" Under method there is a choice of perceptual, linear and classic. I generally use gradient maps to convert to black and white and often choose either perceptual or classic. Sometimes I use the Black and white adjustment layer in PS and then use the Gradient Map as well. Here is the example of your image.
Posted: 07/23/2025 10:38:45
Posted: 07/23/2025 10:38:45
Hi Doug,
Greetings my friend.
The final edition look surreal to me, after converting from the original. An amazing post processing, choice of color, background color, framing with creativity.
Simply superb.
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers,
Kamal. Posted: 07/21/2025 12:19:27
Greetings my friend.
The final edition look surreal to me, after converting from the original. An amazing post processing, choice of color, background color, framing with creativity.
Simply superb.
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers,
Kamal. Posted: 07/21/2025 12:19:27