Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I like this picture. In May I upgraded from my Nikon P7800 to a gently-used Sony RX-10 for its larger sensor (it was a steal ). This picture was made during the Sony's first test run, outdoors, overcast skylight, hand-held, aperture priority f/5.6, 1/160 sec, focal length equivalent to 150mm, processed in Lightroom CC.

My intent was to focus attention on that single 'white' leaf (I think it is actually the back of an immature leaf). It really popped out at me. I wanted to keep the rest of the plant, show the sawtooth edges of the leaves, but emphasize that brighter leaf that caught my eye in the first place. It may be that I should have shot it at f/4 or even wider, but I still like the background falloff better than with the smaller sensor Nikon, and this was my first outing with the camera (still getting used to it).

Bob inspired me to post with his NIGHTSHADE, pointing out that the human eye is drawn to brighter objects. Mine certainly was.

(If you download both and toggle between them you can see what I did in Lightroom.)

The final version.

(Download)

The SOOC raw (jpeg from zeroed out copy of the file)

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

There is a very appealing richness of color in the download, as well as textures. I like the bits of black that help add depth. Beautifully composed and photographed, IMO.

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Thanks, Linda! I posted this before in FYC but Bob suggested I do it here too. In LR if I turn on the shadow clipping there are some blues around the edges, but I added a vignette centered on the bright leaf. I added quite a bit of vibrancy and more overall saturation but I don't think I overdid it.

Snap Shot Loc: California

Nicely done Chuck! Your finished image successfully accomplished your goal! My eye went exactly as directed... that's good work!

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Thanks, Bill! Very much appreciated!

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Thank you for taking me up on my suggestion Chuck. I liked this the moment I saw it at FYC and wanted the DA folks to see it as well.

For what it's worth ------ sorry Chuck, this is not about your image, but a teaching moment inspired by your choices in processing this image: a plug for the NIK filter Color Efex Pro 4 (it's free now so no reason not to have it in your toolbox), specifically the [Darken/Lighten Center] preset. It's in the same family as a vignette, but a whole lot more subtle. It allows you to move your center spot by clicking on "Place Center" button, and has three controls; Center Luminosity, Border Luminosity, and Center Size. I often change the luminosity to be a little bit less bright and borders to be a little less dark. What's fun to do is to experiment by changing the center spot. You would think that placing it over the "White Leaf" in this instance would be the natural thing to do, but by moving it off-center, it creates a dramatic lighting change; and those changes are accomplished by a gradient mask that blends the light values very, very nicely. Highly recommended.

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Thanks Bob! Ya pushed me into it. I have the NIK filters, got them when they suddenly went free, but I have yet to actually use them. I still tend to do things the way I would have in my darkroom. I love the way Lightroom works, but I only subscribed to CC in March (I think it was). Before that the only program I used was PS Elements. I got up to 11 before I switched. What I would have done with PSE would have been to take the burn tool with a big very soft brush and vignette it by hand. In my darkroom (in B&W only - I never did color) I'd have taken a paddle dodger after the base exposure and made a second exposure while lifting the paddle toward the enlarger lens to do what I called a 'rim burn.' I still think in those terms, so I have to break that habit and try what you suggested. I may be away for a few days but I will try it as soon as I can, and thanks again.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Very well done, Chuck! I like the simplicity of this. Excellent work!

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Thanks Treepusher! I appreciate that. I don't often "see" this way so that means a lot.