Bill Foy  


Witch Hazel Bud by Bill Foy

July 2021 - Witch Hazel Bud

About the Image(s)

This image was made at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA a little over three months ago. Loved how the light through the tree was settling on this bud.
Processing in ACR - tweaking of highlights/shadows and a dab of added vibrance. Nikon D500, Sigma 150mm macro lens, f/8, 1/100, ISO-100, no flash, handheld.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted




Carol Sheppard   Carol Sheppard
You are right: there is something so appealing about the light falling in a dappled pattern on the subject. I would love to try this with a diffuser in place, though, to see how it looks without the sharp shadow lines. After watching a few webinars by Kathleen Clemons, I am starting to see the benefit of this--even though I had to really compare befores and afters to appreciate it. Another thing she said which hit home is to "avoid the blobs," so easy to get in macro work. Its those little niggling out-of-focus petals or limbs that occlude right from in front :-(. This same type of bud with less activity would be another thing to compare to.   Posted: 07/10/2021 17:11:56
 
Thanks, Carol. My first thought on reading your comments was maybe I'm going to have to learn to stack images.   Posted: 07/23/2021 14:12:33



Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
Well analysed and said, Carol. I looked at this yesterday before you commented and thought,"What can I say, I don't really like it but I don't know why", so I left it. Now I do know. That's not to say it's a poor picture, not at all, it is interesting, but it is the varying light and hard shadows that I find disquieting.

I've found Kathleen's web site and they are pretty! I don't know how some people can concentrate on a narrow topic, though. I guess that's why I'm a jack of all trades and master of none.

Definitely a category 2 macro!(see Tom's entry, this month)   Posted: 07/11/2021 01:51:49
 
Thanks, Stuart. I think we're in the "Chocolate and Vanilla" room when it comes to our likes/dislikes of this image. Of the categories you defined in your comments on Tom's image, the second is the only one that, I think, could be reasonably picked for this image.   Posted: 07/23/2021 14:17:17



Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
For me, this has a Medusa kind of effect, though it so far hasn't turned me to stone. d;¬{D

There is so much going on here that it's difficult to find a focal point. I took it in Topaz Gigapixel AI, then Topaz Sharpen AI, and finally an HSL adjustment in Affinity Photo to try and bring the heart of the bud into the limelight, so to speak. Thoughts?   Posted: 07/17/2021 13:42:18
Comment Image
 
Thanks, Tom. My thoughts? I'm saying this with a smile on my face - you made a mess!   Posted: 07/23/2021 14:19:34
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
I sorry d:¬{(   Posted: 07/23/2021 14:23:57
 
Ha! Reminiscent of my grandkids.   Posted: 07/23/2021 14:28:50
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
You must be old if your grandkids have moustaches. d;¬{D   Posted: 07/23/2021 16:38:17
 
The oldest, and only male, grandchild has a full beard - he's a few months shy of 26, and a few months are his birthday, I'll be 79. Is that old? I don't think so. A number of my relatives have lived into their mid-90's, and I fully expect to, at least, equal them.   Posted: 07/23/2021 20:53:02
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
There's hope for me too - my grandma lived to 104. d;¬{D   Posted: 07/24/2021 00:11:32