Stargazer Macro

Gallery: FloraPosted February 23, 201196 views15 comments

Shot this Stargazer Lily on Valentines day and just got around to doing something with it. I find the bg a bit distracting, but I needed a lot of dof to keep the anthers in focus thus the small aperture. If you need more of this you gotta give up some of that....sometimes photography seems like the dog chasing its tail if you know what I mean.

Thanks for looking, Larger version included.

150 Macro
f/29 @ 4 sec
ISO 200

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on February 23, 2011 at 10:37 PM

Beautiful picture of a fascinating flower! Great DOF on your focus point. If you have a photo editing program (I use Photoshop Elements) you could darken what background you do see between the petals until it was black if you wished.

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Windom on February 23, 2011 at 11:41 PM

Terrific detail on the anthers in particular. Stargazers make for great subjects. I agree with the suggestion to darken the BG. Another option to consider in controlling DOF is stacking software....you can shoot at say, f8, and concentrate just on the anthers when choosing your focus points....works great.

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

Comment posted by BorgesiusBeckles on February 24, 2011 at 12:51 AM

Still a Good job Bruce,i like it.The petals are sharp and stand out and you get a lot of DOF.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 253 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Miro Susta on February 24, 2011 at 12:56 AM

Well arranged. Nice 3-D feeling. Excellent colors & details. Well done Bruce.

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on February 24, 2011 at 1:03 AM

So right, Bruce. Your own analysis is right on. However, the wonderful details in the flower outweigh the bit of bg intrusion, imo. Darkening or blurring intrusive pieces of bg is doable and might be worth it here. Such the "drama queen" is the Stargazer, and you sure captured that aspect well.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 24, 2011 at 2:24 AM

Lovely ! Nice colors, good perspective, and tack-sharp.
Idon't mind the green BG at all -
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on February 24, 2011 at 7:30 AM

Bruce, this is amazing detail and sharpness.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on February 24, 2011 at 8:24 AM

Fantastic capture of the anthers, Bruce ! Lilies are indeed so difficult to compose, but I actually think your perspective with the two petals splayed so strongly works very well.

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Derek Yow on February 24, 2011 at 1:08 PM

I think you made the right decision on your compromise Bruce, as the details in this shot are top-notch! I think a little blurring or darkening of the parts you find distracting would really make this even better that it already is.

Registered on May 18, 2010, 26 Posts, 655 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on February 24, 2011 at 7:42 PM

Great detail Bruce and I like the composition very much. I'd probably darken the bg on the viewers left a little (wouldn't take it black) to match the bg in the top. A good looking stargazer for my tastes.

pat

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 24, 2011 at 10:10 PM

Bruce: Most excellent in every way. Really good DOF management and a solid comp. >=))>

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 24, 2011 at 10:44 PM

Hi Bruce

Wonderful color and detail, i really enjoy this shot

To make it perfect, i too would remove the details from the triangle' on the left

Albert Darmo. Canada

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

Comment posted by Krunal Janani on February 25, 2011 at 7:54 AM

WOW Bruce striking image to say the least

Registered on September 16, 2010, 60 Posts, 1370 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 25, 2011 at 1:13 PM

The dof is excellent and the lighting and colors are beautiful. My preference would be to darken the green leaves on the left as suggested. Very striking.

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

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on February 27, 2011 at 6:00 AM

Great job on the dof and point of view. Beautiful flower, presented expertly.

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