BananaRama

Gallery: FloraPosted September 4, 2010209 views21 comments

Sony A700
Minolta 200mm macro
ISO 400, 1/320 @ f8, -.7EC

I indulged myself with a jaunt to the Mercer Arboretum today to look for some sunny shots. I got some really good water lily shots (stay tuned) but probably had the most fun shooting this ornamental banana flower. The light was filtering through the canopy and the leaves were moving just enough that the light striking the flower was different on every shot. The BG is the deep shade behind the bloom. I spot metered the flower when it was in shade and then just watched the show and fired away. All comments welcome.>=))>

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Andrew Finlayson on September 5, 2010 at 12:00 AM

The sharpness, detail and simplicity...just wonderful. Particularly like the detail on the stalk for some reason, fascinates me.

Registered on July 29, 2010, 26 Posts, 404 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Windom on September 5, 2010 at 12:04 AM

I like everything about this, the lighting in particular. Nice work!

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

Comment posted by Ken Smith on September 5, 2010 at 12:50 AM

You started with a uniquely shaped flower and striking colors. The application of light and pov adds much to show its qualities. Really, nicely done!! The black b/g works quite well. One of the best parts is the strong light on the tall portion and the fade-to-black on the right side. Cool!

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on September 5, 2010 at 2:25 AM

Your description of the process sure does sound fun! A most unique flower, lovely color and another fine capture. Masterfully done.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Miro Susta on September 5, 2010 at 6:02 AM

Beautiful light. The black BG match perfectly to the flower. Excellent work Bill.

Registered on August 18, 2006, 719 Posts, 3736 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on September 5, 2010 at 8:11 AM

This one got my attention Bill. Love everything about it. Striking image and perfect presentation. I particularly like the detail in the larger version.

Pat

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on September 5, 2010 at 9:39 AM

Outstanding Bill. The light is perfect and I like the way it fades to shadow, The segmentation of the stem is very cool. No nits, beautifully done.

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

Comment posted by Muhammad Zaid Wani on September 5, 2010 at 10:16 AM

Fabulous image, Bill. The detail is amazing in the larger version.

Registered on August 18, 2005, 23 Posts, 1406 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on September 5, 2010 at 11:22 AM

I too find the detail on the stalk to be the most fascinating object in this image. Great detail, Bill, as always. It would have been nice to capture the lower petal/bract with a bit more light.

The Arboretum must have been a fun trip.

Cheers,

Carol

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

Comment posted by May Haga on September 5, 2010 at 12:54 PM

Wow, interesting flower, stunning presentation.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on September 5, 2010 at 1:20 PM

Bill

- Did someone lecture you about Lighting before you went to the Arboretum

? Awesome subject and some killer lighting there

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

Comment posted by Benjamin Olson on September 5, 2010 at 2:13 PM

Beautiful, what a unique flower! I love it, the light on the flower is superb.

Registered on April 7, 2007, 169 Posts, 725 Comments

Comment posted by Brigitte Lorenz on September 5, 2010 at 4:44 PM

Great shot!!!!

Brigitte

Registered on January 10, 2009, 187 Posts, 1507 Comments

Comment posted by jamie pringle on September 5, 2010 at 4:47 PM

I like the shape and color of this flower, as well as the light that is falling on it. The stem(?) adds an additional point of interest.

Registered on August 10, 2005, 323 Posts, 1216 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on September 5, 2010 at 9:09 PM

Bill:
Before reading your comment, I thought that this is a studio shot and wish for a bit more light on the right petal. But after reading how this image was made, the difference in illumination sure makes it more interesting. The well illuminated stem certainly seems to steal the show. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Philip Southard on September 5, 2010 at 9:39 PM

Excellent in every way Bill. Color, light, comp, detail, BG all coming together superbly. What an interesting flower also; I've never seen one of these.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on September 5, 2010 at 10:05 PM

Hi Bill

When all is said and done

This is darn right marvelous

Sublime form, light, color and subject. Superb from stem to stern

Albert Darmo. canada

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

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on September 6, 2010 at 12:24 AM

Awesome profile shot Bill. Great portrait and some fantastic light. What a cool photo - I can see why you had such fun shooting it!

Nathan

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

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on September 6, 2010 at 3:12 AM

Beautiful composition and wonderful light, Bill.

Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Debashis Bandyopad on September 6, 2010 at 10:27 AM

Exceptionally beautiful image Bill.. Love everything about this and is probably one of my most fav of yours (and there are many many of those)

Registered on June 24, 2007, 130 Posts, 1309 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on September 6, 2010 at 1:26 PM

My 'Wow" meter just broke!

What an incredibly beautiful and striking image!

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