Gerard Blair  

Fallen into a leaf by Gerard Blair

September 2023 - Fallen into a leaf

September 2023 - Gerard Blair

Original

September 2023 - Gerard Blair

Original 2

About the Image(s)


There is a new PSA analysis (?) group starting out this December : "still life" which is like the existing portrait or creative groups to which one can send two pictures into three sessions and get feedback (and points, and points mean prizes!). So I wanted to start gathering some images together to see what I might enter.

This image was taken indoors - with natural and additional light (by a window with an LED to augment). The camera was fixed on a tripod pointing straight down on subjects over a slate table mat.
My goal was to exploit the texture in this hosta leaf while contrasting it with the smoother petals and shapes of the flowers.
I include both a color version and the original for your viewing - with a plea for guidance: if I enter this image to the competition, should it be color or B&W?

f/18.0 0.5 ISO320

Canon EOS 6D Mark II - TAMRON SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD

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

Peter Elliston   Peter Elliston
Gerard, this is an interesting arrangementof flowers on the host leaf a d i think you have achieved the contrast you were seeking. But i find the mono version somewhat bright and the petals on the flowers on the left look a little blown out. So from the point of view of the competition I would say that the colour version would do better as there the muted colurs on the petals are more apparent. But if you use that I would take out the slate bubbles top right on original two.   Posted: 09/08/2023 11:19:24
Gerard Blair   Gerard Blair
to clarify for others. The original 2 is what came out of the camera - original is what I would consider to be the "color version".   Posted: 09/08/2023 19:27:43
Barbara Asacker   Barbara Asacker
Hi Gerard,
Creative and well presented flowers on a leaf.
Your original 2 sooc image is tack sharp and well exposed. Perfectly captured. I like the contrast of the sharp, colored flowers against the matte grey background. I agree with Peter to remove the water droplets. The color of the flowers in your original 2 looks great. My vote is the original 2. Your original colored version is my second choice. Color is definitely a better choice. It looks like a ceramic plaque. Nicely done.



  Posted: 09/09/2023 09:07:42
 
I used the second image and made it into a black and white. I made the image little larger to give the leaf more room. I also selected the background and made it softer. I used Photoshop and Camera Raw. I painted the part of the leaf on the right to bring down the hi lights.   Posted: 09/09/2023 18:37:04
Comment Image
Kathleen McCrary   Kathleen McCrary
Gerard, I would use the b/w image for the competition. It emphasizes the forms and textures more which is what makes the shot interesting to me. It would be fun to do a series of flower/leaf combinations like this. Very nice!   Posted: 09/25/2023 16:13:17