Rainforest intimate

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 7, 201087 views15 comments

Trying to move out of my comfort zone which has been moving water in diffused light. I ran across this huge cabbage leaf while hiking near Box Canyon in Mt Rainier NP early last month. I struggled with composition and settled for the leaf centered and vertical. Not very creative and somewhat boring I supposed, but off-center, diagonal or horizontal just didn't seem to work. After several attempts processing the image I like this version best. I found it difficult maintaining the smooth areas while still keeping the textures and droplets sharp. Larger version included. Comments welcome, thanks for looking.

D5000
Sigma 24-70 @ 70mm w/cp
f/14 @ 1/8 sec
ISO 160

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on August 7, 2010 at 3:01 AM

I like it, Bruce. The large scale of the leaf makes the huge amount of drops really look interesting and different from other leaf/drop shots. Definitely a keeper.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on August 7, 2010 at 9:37 AM

I love the creativity of this shot. The lighting and textures are great and those droplets are all nice and sharp.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Ben Horne on August 7, 2010 at 11:05 AM

For a subject like this, centered is very ideal. The vertical orientation emphasizes the leaf, and the centered composition emphasizes the symmetry. The water drops make this a very refreshing photo.

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on August 7, 2010 at 11:05 AM

I like the way you composed and put this together. The detail is beautiful.

- Dan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on August 7, 2010 at 11:14 AM

I like this. Good composition, as well as good texture, color, and sharpness. It's always nice to step out of your comfort zone and experience new things.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on August 7, 2010 at 11:15 AM

Nice design of image. Beautiful detail.

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

Comment posted by Tyson Fisher on August 7, 2010 at 2:11 PM

Your chosen comp works very well. I like this one! By no means is this the least bit boring.

Registered on September 17, 2008, 44 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 7, 2010 at 2:45 PM

The detail and color are just exquisite. Your intimate comp is very well done, too.

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

Comment posted by Kyle L. Krause on August 7, 2010 at 3:36 PM

Bruce,
Extremely well composed. Love the detail and light. Beauitful image!

Registered on June 15, 2010, 29 Posts, 605 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on August 7, 2010 at 4:30 PM

Bruce,

The vertical capture works just fine for the composition. In fact, you've got all the diagonal veins creating wonderful patters and so in the end I think you did a great job with your choice. The detail is wonderful with all the drops of water. Color is right on.

I do think this borders on Macro, but then you said a "huge" leaf...

NIce work

Lon

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on August 7, 2010 at 5:02 PM

Great detail and I like the comp. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 7, 2010 at 8:41 PM

Thumb definitely doesn't do this one justice, Bruce. The water is is real nice addition to this. Take it away and it's just a leaf.

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on August 7, 2010 at 11:52 PM

Thanks for the comments y'all.

Yes Lon, a HUGE leaf, a GIANT leaf, the biggest leaf I ever saw! Who needs to pack a tent with leaves like this around?

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

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on August 8, 2010 at 12:09 AM

The water droplets are what really grab me- perfect little round drops against all those lines in the leaf- a beautiful contrast.

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on August 8, 2010 at 12:41 AM

Gorgeous image Bruce. The symmetrical composition is perfect to me, and the textures, and those raindrops, and exquisite. Whatever you did in processing, after several attempts as you relate, was spot on.

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