Hydranga and Luecothoe

Gallery: FloraPosted June 19, 2010332 views17 comments

An experiment using a variety of 3 exposures. For this, I think it was...(1) f2 blurred w/1600 sec of the hydranga w/o the luecothoe branch (2) f16 sharper 1/80th or so, again, w/o the branch (3) then the last exposure of the l. branch on the plant @f11 and 1/60th.

I like trying to get separation of the top luecothoe branch. Seems to have a still-life quality that I am trying to capture. The brighter hydranga blooms and smudges are not as complimentary. And is it too dark? I like leading the viewer towards a requisite squint and lean forward to see more...followed by appetite to view and discover more in the large version.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on June 19, 2010 at 4:50 AM

I like this very much, it really appeals to me, I especially like the touch of red throughout the leaves and stem, also the composition and color are beautiful, If it were mine, I would print it big and hang it. Excellent work Ken.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on June 19, 2010 at 12:34 PM

Very interesting technique. I really like the softness of this image

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on June 19, 2010 at 2:01 PM

Ken: The thumbnail is NO indication of how good this is. And the large version is off the scale spectacular. Great concept, great photography. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Gallo on June 19, 2010 at 5:38 PM

Wonderful blend of flowers and leaves Ken, perfectly exposed..... fabulous presentation

Registered on September 14, 2005, 182 Posts, 1471 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on June 20, 2010 at 12:33 AM

Amazing piece of art Ken. Great job.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on June 20, 2010 at 3:05 AM

Great mood in this shot Ken. I love the softness and the glow. Very nice combination of elements. I like the different exposures.

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on June 20, 2010 at 8:01 AM

Ken,

This one is not my cup of tea. It may be more subtle than I can appreciate. When I look at it I expect the hydranga and the luecothoe branch to be clearly identified as the subject of the composition. However the other elements seem to me to blend with them and obscure the ground to subject separation. I really like the concept and I certainly admire your creativity. I'll be very interested in seeing these if you do more of them.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on June 20, 2010 at 9:48 AM

To all, thanks for the feedback! Glad this shot (esp large version) was likable to some.

Pat, thanks much for your comments. My guess is that you represent a large group of folks. In my experience, if someone clicks on a shot and doesn't like it, they leave nil comments...and the ratio of clicks to comments climbs. This shot lingered in that high ratio count for a while. Yup, this one doesn't align with everyone's tastes. I am OK w/that.

I have a couple more multiple exposure ideas coming that I hope to share. Looking forward to honest feedback, it is a treasure. Ken S

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on June 20, 2010 at 5:37 PM

Ken,

I'm glad you could make sense of my comment. It was still dark here when I wrote it and I apparently hadn't been awake long enough to write coherent English. I am looking forward to seeing the results of your additional ideas.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on June 20, 2010 at 9:00 PM

Ken, This one certainly is one of the varieties of Tea that I like

. I always like to look at something different and I like this. You have used artistic license to its fullest

. About the only thing that I would relook is to reduce the "patchiness" a little bit but I am not sure it can be done.

If printed on a rough paper (meaning paper with some good texture) I am sure this would pass as a nice painting.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 21, 2010 at 7:44 PM

Quite creative.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 22, 2010 at 7:59 PM

Unusual and very compelling.
Congrats on the EP!

Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Benner on June 22, 2010 at 8:51 PM

Really beautiful. Thanks for sharing the process and congrats on the EP.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on June 22, 2010 at 10:12 PM

Very Victorian looking... all thats missing is the lace. Unusual, creative and artistic image. Congratulations on a well deserved EP!!!!!

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by David Cobb on June 23, 2010 at 12:59 AM

Love all the layers, color, sharpness, and softness. Quite a variety of elements which all tie together so well.

Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Gallo on June 23, 2010 at 8:11 AM

Congrats on the EP Ken, well deserved

Registered on September 14, 2005, 182 Posts, 1471 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on June 24, 2010 at 2:29 AM

I am grateful to the Weekly Picks Gallery that allows me to admire this beautiful photo. I have lost it. A splendid mood, Ken. The play of lights and shades is the most impressive thing, for me. Bravo!
Cheers.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments