This image was made a few years ago at the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. This flower only grows around the pond in the wetlands and it can be difficult to get close enough for a macro shot. Adjustments in ACR: crop, exposure, highlights/shadows, vibrance. Adjustments in PS: applied a small amount of burn to bring out the stigma and style, added a adjustment layer with a Difference blending mode to darken the background. I initially thought I would try to put enough bokeh in the background too keep some green, but I was unable to find a satisfactory way to do that. You should know that I'm very new to this "advanced" use of PS, so any help you want to offer will be gratefully accepted. Nikon D500, Sigma 150mm macro lens, f/11, 1/1000, ISO-400, aperture priority, handheld.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 7 comments posted
Stuart Caine
(Group 42)
Hi Bill! A very nice image. The only suggestion I have is to remove the hole on the right side. Posted: 09/11/2021 14:43:19
Thanks, Stuart. I went back and forth about removing that hole and I guess I should have. Posted: 09/11/2021 15:16:46
Stuart Caine
(Group 42)
Have a good weekend Posted: 09/11/2021 16:45:41
Stuart Ord
I love the texture on the petals, Bill. You've done a good job with the depth of field, too, just a teeny bit less sharp on the right. I quite like the crop, better than the small crop on the original. I don't know wht you mean by your comment about bokeh and green. Posted: 09/18/2021 15:36:44
Thanks, Stuart. In the original image, I thought I might able to do something with the background, when that proved to be unachievable I turned it black. Posted: 09/18/2021 17:01:14
Bob Crocker
(Group 57)
Nice capture, Bill. White flowers can sometimes be difficult in the 'wild'. No blow outs on you hilights; luv the lines in the petals, act as leading lines to the center. I like what you did with the background; never heard of using the Diffence blend mode in that way, nice ! The only thing I might think about is maybe boosting the 'yellows' brightness/vibrance on the Stigma/style a little more than you did with your burn. Posted: 09/26/2021 16:59:11
Carol Sheppard
Bill, this is a beautiful image; the texture and the sharpness you've caught on the (?) pistel are really wonderful and work well for this image. Also, not an easy feat! The crop troubled me somewhat, but that's just a weird thing of mine. I would remove that little black (bug?) dot on the right. You did a great job with this! Posted: 09/26/2021 18:49:39
