Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

I got inspired by Billy's comment on another thread - "Getting people to contribute images will be a slow process as the bar was possibly set too high standards wise from day one. Normal images were almost discouraged by the headlong rush to be artistic." People are doing so many creative things with images, and I thought here I am just plodding along shooting my wildflowers.

I will describe what I have been trying to do this year. I am basically doing "record" shots of native plant species in bloom, so I want a good representation of the plant, but I have been experimenting with lighting and composition trying to not just record the plant but to pursue the vision I have of it in my mind. Jenny was talking about still life on a thread here, and from that I have been looking for settings that already are still lifes, so to speak. With the lighting, I want it to highlight the main subject, to separate it from the background, but get the light to fall off gradually onto adjacent leaves, and also get the focus to fade nicely into the background.

This one is the native Rose-ringed Blanketflower.

Mike

(Download)

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Well, I think you failed miserably. What you have presented here is a work of art, whatever your intentions. Not because of any special effects or manipulation of software, but by the sheer artistry of your vision. Please keep it up Mike. I'd love to see more of these .......

Someone once told me that if a painting looked too realistic (as if it were a photograph), then the artist wasn't a true painter. Are you kidding me!? To me it would indicate a painter of the highest caliber. Your photo would not be confused for a painting ..... but it serves as the inspiration for someone to see life as clearly as you do.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Thanks, Bob. Much appreciated. Your work with plant images has been a source of inspiration for me.

Mike

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Mike you have done this with abilities I aspire to acquire. I question why you leave the backside leaf on the left to distract form the goal you are after?

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Wonderful clarity and colors, especially in the (Download).

As a side, I clicked to zoom-in and love it cropped in twice as much.

Thank you for sharing and getting the game going! S-

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Thank you Frank. Do you find that one leaf distracting? Not sure myself.

Mike

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Yes but that's just me you know. To me it stands out like a sore thumb.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Beautifully executed, Mike!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

You aint plodding at all Mike. This is a wonderfully executed image that needs to be nothing other than than that. Its a wall hanger because you did a magnificent job of capturing the glory of a beautiful flower.
Im as guilty as most but hope this encourages more people to post images without the need to think they need to be strangled by Photoshop to be accepted.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Thanks. Let's try that...

Mike

(Download)

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Thanks, Linda.

Mike

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

May I try another? S-

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

That is mighty pretty, Mike. The composition with the full-bloom flower just above the little bud makes such a nice double circle design. . I am not in your league with flowers, but I find that they don't usually require much PP except for fixing a little intrusion here or there on toning down colors that my sensor got carried away with. They kind of come with their own PP included! The extra leaf could go or stay in my book, but I do think I like the one with it gone the best.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Absolutely.

Mike

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you and something like this. S-

Cropped

(Download)