Veratrum

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 5, 20091,142 views55 comments

Image of Veratrum or false hellebore made a few years ago in the Palmer Lakes area on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. These plants are just beautiful in the spring. Had this printed by WCI a few years ago but thought I would take a shot at trying to process a scan of the 4x5 myself and share it with everyone. Perhaps a bit of an abstract interpretation but I am quite pleased with the result. Hope it works.
4x5, 210mm Sironar S, Velvia.

Your thoughts, comments, suggestions are all welcomed.
Please view large image.

Thank you.

Comments

55 comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Glatt on June 5, 2009 at 12:56 AM

Wow, I'm speechless. This is by far one of my favorite images on NPN, ever.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 171 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on June 5, 2009 at 12:57 AM

The greens are so rich through every tonality. It's almost unreal how vivid this photo is, and I love it.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on June 5, 2009 at 1:10 AM

I new this was yours from the thumbnail - and that's a good thing. The greens and forms are just exquisite, really beautiful Vance.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on June 5, 2009 at 1:27 AM

perfect light and comp here... great image!

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cox-Leigh on June 5, 2009 at 1:28 AM

WOW! This is the most amazing colour photograph of these I've ever seen. They positively glow and the colour is so vibrant and radiant.

Registered on August 8, 2008, 25 Posts, 228 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 5, 2009 at 1:30 AM

Vance,

All I can do is echo Benjamin... speechless. Ok, I will try and muster some words because I can't leave this without saying anything.

Exquisite comes to mind. Bold, brilliant, and mesmarizing... actually words can't do this justice.

Very much reminds me of the leaf of the corn lily and gets me excited about photographing them in another month or so.

This is simply a jaw-dropper Vance.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on June 5, 2009 at 1:37 AM

I'd say that's flawless! Extremely beautiful abstract image.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Timothy Epp on June 5, 2009 at 1:46 AM

I've tried getting shots like this but never to this level of excellence. Well done!

Registered on January 1, 2009, 72 Posts, 333 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Dolde on June 5, 2009 at 2:13 AM

Oh my this is a real treat. Just awesome Vance.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 305 Posts, 3900 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Lawson on June 5, 2009 at 2:14 AM

Fantastic. Love the range of greens from light to dark. Great lines. The plants are perfect. I've seen very similar compositions, but this one is in a league of its own.

Registered on March 3, 2008, 29 Posts, 337 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on June 5, 2009 at 2:16 AM

Hello Velvia! Vance this is great. I know Veratrum only as a homeopathic remedy for stomach cramps and diarreah. SO now I know where that remedy comes from and will know not to ever eat any of these leaves....ever.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on June 5, 2009 at 2:53 AM

wow. I just love the glow here. I can only imagine the tranny on a light table...and the joy of viewing it.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on June 5, 2009 at 3:00 AM

works superbly.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Mat Malone on June 5, 2009 at 3:00 AM

Simply beautiful. I love the rich colors and dark tones. The shapes just "explode" onto the screen.

Registered on December 15, 2008, 91 Posts, 882 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on June 5, 2009 at 4:12 AM

Incredible composition. The soft light is perfect, it really brings out the texture and color. Stunning image!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments

Comment posted by Pedro Bento on June 5, 2009 at 4:38 AM

I can't stop looking at this one, just love it

Registered on September 2, 2007, 45 Posts, 761 Comments

Comment posted by Bruno Silva on June 5, 2009 at 5:49 AM

impressive comp! really beautiful image! love the colours and softness if this shot! well done!

Registered on May 6, 2009, 132 Posts, 1406 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on June 5, 2009 at 8:07 AM

Wow Vance, Im not known for my great love of plant shots but this one is soooo. Velvia - green is what it excells at and this is GREEEN. It is also incredibly keenly lit and glows the same way as the Antelope canyon shots do but of course in red. Very very well done.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Plant on June 5, 2009 at 8:12 AM

Vance, this is beautiful. Simple yet stunning

Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Paolo De Faveri on June 5, 2009 at 8:19 AM

A sculpture! Fantastic work, Vance

Paolo

Registered on August 29, 2007, 318 Posts, 1651 Comments

Comment posted by Frank Winters on June 5, 2009 at 8:42 AM

This is the deepest, richest green I can imagine. And I love the depth of focus and clarity of exposure -- a brilliant image to be sure. We call this Indian Poke but you've used its proper name. Very fitting too as yours look like they are all dressed up for Sunday or a wedding even. I took a photo of Indian Poke a while back but its pale green like early spring -- yours are definitely late spring like. Gorgeous image!

Registered on January 5, 2006, 123 Posts, 717 Comments

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on June 5, 2009 at 9:13 AM

I was thinking a topuch brighter tone for the lighter tones, but I like it as it is. The plant looks almost perfect - no blemish, no torn - and the green is very moody

Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments

Comment posted by Paulo A.Lopes on June 5, 2009 at 9:14 AM

better than this is impossible for sure. Im quite exigent in this type of images and this one is very well done, there isn't anything negative to point in this image. Just stunning.. perfect is a better adjective.

Registered on October 14, 2008, 122 Posts, 836 Comments

Comment posted by Steve France on June 5, 2009 at 9:17 AM

this is a beautiful image, and must look stunning in print.

Very Christopher Burkett :)

Registered on September 26, 2007, 89 Posts, 1477 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on June 5, 2009 at 9:36 AM

This certainly does work, Vance. I've never seen false hellebore done better.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on June 5, 2009 at 9:42 AM

exquisite!

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Karsten Wrobel on June 5, 2009 at 9:45 AM

Unreal greens, this is fantastic... must make for a killer print

Registered on November 1, 2008, 117 Posts, 851 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on June 5, 2009 at 9:47 AM

Amazing detail and textures. Tones of greens are beautiful! I could stare at it forever...

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 5, 2009 at 10:42 AM

Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Biggs on June 5, 2009 at 12:24 PM

Wow.. just wow!!

Registered on January 13, 2005, 310 Posts, 1257 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on June 5, 2009 at 12:25 PM

This is just AWESOME.

It's a really well done abstract and the light is SPOT ON.

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 5, 2009 at 1:34 PM

The depth and detail are beautiful Vance. Fantastic image!

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Igor on June 5, 2009 at 1:48 PM

Fabulous image, Vance. I actually like the smaller version just a tad more than the larger one (it's darker). Wonder what a small yellow flower or a ladybug somewhere in there would do to the composition.

Registered on February 22, 2009, 12 Posts, 618 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 5, 2009 at 1:53 PM

Thanks to everyone for the great comments. I was quite fortunate to photograph these in their prime before they got too tall and ragged looking. They were virtually flawless.
Lon mentioned the corn lilies. John Sexton's b/w image of corn lilies was partly the inspiration for this image. Guess veratrum is the Alaskan equivalent to corn lilies, at least photographically speaking. Made several images of these plants over my years in Alaska but this is by far my favorite.
Thanks again. Your comments mean very much to me.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on June 5, 2009 at 2:01 PM

I am shaking my head - I can't believe how good this is.

"hope it works" ? It kicks *** !!!

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on June 5, 2009 at 3:00 PM

It's all been said, but I'll add this...exquisite.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 5, 2009 at 5:20 PM

Wow is this yummy! The light, comp, color, are all just amazing!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent FAVRE on June 5, 2009 at 5:23 PM

This is a fantastic photo ! I love it.

Registered on September 2, 2007, 37 Posts, 213 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Stankiewicz on June 5, 2009 at 8:24 PM

I like the vivid green and the repetitive pattern. Beautiful shot.

Registered on October 26, 2008, 52 Posts, 462 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 5, 2009 at 9:29 PM

Well, Vance, like everyone else I like this image. Wonderful textures and light. You nailed it for sure.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on June 5, 2009 at 11:09 PM

Can't really add anything else. Just the best false hellebore shot I've ever seen.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on June 6, 2009 at 12:29 AM

Vance, you should be pleased. The softly glowing luminosity of this is amazing! Such a simple yet powerful image. Eye candy for sure! Kudos!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on June 6, 2009 at 1:18 AM

Spectacular. I love this.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Pramod Viswanath on June 6, 2009 at 8:46 AM

Everything is just perfect!!! Signature image from you! Just can't take my eyes off this frame.

Registered on December 4, 2008, 60 Posts, 697 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ryan on June 6, 2009 at 10:49 AM

Just gorgeous. Gotta be the editors pick.

Registered on June 29, 2008, 85 Posts, 636 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Vaughan on June 7, 2009 at 8:46 AM

What can you say, BEAUTIFUL!

Registered on April 29, 2009, 57 Posts, 670 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on June 7, 2009 at 9:58 AM

Wow ... this is awesome. I love it.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on June 7, 2009 at 2:04 PM

The glow is lovely but so are the deep rich blacks. Absolutely gorgeuous, Vance.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Christine Adams on June 9, 2009 at 7:05 AM

OK, I'll be the 50th commentor. This is extremely nice and congrats on your EP. Very lush! The varying shades of green and shadows and light are wonderful!!!

Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments

Comment posted by Pam Colander on June 9, 2009 at 12:36 PM

This image is SO alive Vance! To say it works is an understatement. Congrats on a well deserved EP

Registered on December 7, 2006, 210 Posts, 1062 Comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Glatt on June 9, 2009 at 2:47 PM

Congrats, dude! This is so awesome.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 171 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 9, 2009 at 4:37 PM

Congrats on the EP! Completely deserving for this magnificent shot!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Percival on June 9, 2009 at 5:26 PM

I find this a gorgeous image. Exquisite details and texture.

Registered on April 9, 2008, 7 Posts, 30 Comments

Comment posted by Isaac Bauman on July 8, 2009 at 10:26 PM

You bet it works, wow this is awesome indeed.

Registered on June 15, 2009, 22 Posts, 81 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Suro on July 9, 2009 at 7:22 AM

Excellent light and shadow; and the color - wow!

Best,

Jose

Registered on June 24, 2006, 267 Posts, 2273 Comments