Air of Mystery

Gallery: FloraPosted August 8, 201069 views13 comments

My self-imposed task was to see if I could see sufficiently well to shoot manually through the viewfinder on the D700 with the 60mm lens.

I wanted to select one tiny area with just enough of the flower so that the subject was recognizable as a flower; I wanted to create as much illusion of depth as I could.

Other settings:
Spot meter,
Tripod
ISO 800
f/3.2
1/320s

It wasn't until I had completed processing the image that I realized I also have an abstract bird out of the white edge of the Stargazer lily I selected. Unfortunately I clipped part of the OOF petal edge but I think I can rectify that my choosing a horizontal frame rather than a square frame and working with the shadows in the BG.

My work is cut out for me and I would be really interested in hearing what folks think of my shallow DOF.

Thanks.

Carol

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on August 8, 2010 at 5:27 PM

This is a very pleasing image and i like your focal point. I also like the DOF.

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on August 8, 2010 at 5:54 PM

Carol: Nicely crafted image well conceived and executed. The POF/DOF choice looks great to me. >=))>

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on August 8, 2010 at 6:24 PM

A very strong image Carol. I love the dark reds and the black verticals. A very interesting abstract. No suggestions.

Pat

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

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on August 8, 2010 at 7:21 PM

I've changed the format of the image and done a bit of work to further define the edge of the petal/bird's wing.

Next job:

To see what the Leica P&S can do with a similar view. Keeps me busy and off the street, so to speak.

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Windom on August 8, 2010 at 8:33 PM

I think I prefer the first version....IMO the main subject is the petal tip in the lower right; in the second version there is competition (for my eye) with that tip and the one in the very upper right corner. Regardless, nice work!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 176 Posts, 2302 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on August 8, 2010 at 9:39 PM

Nice work with both versions. Equally good.

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

Comment posted by Mike Reid on August 9, 2010 at 1:06 AM

love it....great comp and dof/pof choice. Awesome light

Registered on February 28, 2009, 37 Posts, 122 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on August 9, 2010 at 7:34 AM

Carol, I like them both, also. But I'd stay with the original for the punch of color.

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

Comment posted by Doug Benner on August 9, 2010 at 7:42 AM

Very different and very nicely done study here. Creative and interesting.

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on August 9, 2010 at 9:14 AM

Carol,

I like both but the first seems richer and darker to me and I consequently prefer the mood of it more.

Pat

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 9, 2010 at 10:02 PM

I agree with Pat. Especially the darker mood having more impact, at least on me. And the rich colors are great.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on August 10, 2010 at 10:45 PM

Hi Carol

love the mood of this abstract. The bold lines and color are great. i too prefer the first version

Albert Darmo. canada

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on August 11, 2010 at 9:41 AM

Honestly whenI first opened it I didn't like the dark feel I got but then it absolutely grew on me and I feel it makes a great abstract

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments