Moth Mullein

Gallery: FloraPosted July 26, 201092 views10 comments

Found this model growing just on the edge of where our lawn meets "jungle" - the untamed part of our property. I did not know what it was at first and went through my two Michigan Wildflower Identification guides to no avail, as well as an on line ID site, again to no avail. I sent it to a friend who owns a wildflower farm who replied quickly. I checked my two guides and suree enough - it was in them. My mistake - it is listed under white wildflowers. I thought it was yellow. It can be. And around here it is yellow.

5DMII w/100mm F/2.8 L IS USM Macro lens; RAW; ISO 50; Manual - about 1 stop under; focusing via Liveview with the aide of a Hoodman Loupe w/3X magnifier; Mirror locked up; Tripod w/cabel release

RAW files processed in Lightroom 3.0, tweaking black, clarity, and luminesence

Photoshop using nik filters - Skylight (multiple applications - selective areas brushed in at varying opacities); Polarization; Midnight; Darken/Lighten Center (multiple applications - selective areas brushed in at varying opacities); Brilliance/Warmth; and a sharpen action as well as some retouching

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 26, 2010 at 5:21 PM

Why am I thinking of lime sherbet? lol..
Love the bright colors, subtle greens, and whole comp, as well as the presentation.

Sandy r

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

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on July 26, 2010 at 5:34 PM

Nice find Steve, love the colors, and I especially like the way the purple stands out on the yellow, nature sure has a way of blending colors. Beautifully seen and presented.
John

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

Comment posted by Mike Gallo on July 26, 2010 at 5:44 PM

Fabulous color of this flower Steven, the lighting and bg are spot on and the comp is great

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

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on July 26, 2010 at 8:01 PM

Steven:
Nice colorful flowers expertly captured with your signature top notch flora portrait. IMHO, there are 2 minor nits. The blueish coloration of the stems in the upper part is unnatural looking. The main stem near the lower edge is partly covered by the shadow from the upper of the 2 small buds. These are really minor and overall this is still top notch.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on July 26, 2010 at 8:52 PM

I like how the blooms seem to be selectively spot lit. Nature provided a pleasing combination of purple & yellow and you took full advantage of it. Nice work Steven.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Southard on July 26, 2010 at 10:07 PM

Nice shot Steven. Comp, light, color, detail all look great.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 258 Posts, 3892 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on July 27, 2010 at 8:22 AM

Cool shot, i really like how things stand out from the dark bg! To my eye, the blooms seem a tiny bit overexposed, where you're losing some of the detail in the petals.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on July 28, 2010 at 9:43 PM

hi Steven

A splendid capture of moth mullein.

The color and detail are beautifully done.

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on July 29, 2010 at 8:05 PM

Steven: Wonderful lighting for you is routine. Superb portrait. >=))>

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

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on July 30, 2010 at 9:11 AM

Wonderful colors and excellent crafting. Most unusual shades of color and a beautiful capture.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments