The egg is hatched

Gallery: FloraPosted May 15, 2011241 views22 comments

A few days ago, I have bought a young plant of poppy in a pot. After some days of gestation, it's born the child that you see in the photo. I went on photographing its growth, till today death. I wish to post two or three more images of its short life. But they are not just documenting: they are very different for composition and light.

At dawn, in our garden, against the wall.

D700, Nikor 200mm. macro - f/19 and ISO 280

I hope to read your always honest and useful comments.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on May 15, 2011 at 10:36 AM

Gigi:
Dawn is the right time for the birth of this beauty. The details are so incredible and rival any stack images I see here. Color, textures and comp are perfect in every way. congrats

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

Comment posted by Bob Duff on May 15, 2011 at 10:58 AM

W Gigi. Perfect comp and detail. The colour palette and light is fantastic.

Registered on April 21, 2010, 160 Posts, 1675 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on May 15, 2011 at 11:15 AM

Cool Gigi. It has a certain....I don't know, sci-fi quality to it that I like very much. I'm assuming you flipped it 180' or is it hanging like that. Either way, great image with nice details and I love the earthy tones. Nice
My only and very small suggestion might be providing a little more room on the right. It seems a little cramped where the stem leaves the frame on that side.

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on May 15, 2011 at 11:22 AM

Fascinating textures and exceptional light. The composition is just as intriguing. Striking image in every respect.

pat

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

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on May 15, 2011 at 11:35 AM

So very rich in interesting detail. When first viewing the thumbnail I thought "a stack". You have accomplished an exquisite detailed image. I wish for additional details of how you achieved this image if any.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on May 15, 2011 at 12:05 PM

looks like a creature from outer space, Gigi. From a photographic point of view, the image appears flawless.

Cheerio ;^)

Carol

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

Comment posted by Bernie Kasper on May 15, 2011 at 1:09 PM

Cool work Gigi....the fine hairs on the stem and pod really make this image for me, well done !!

Registered on June 5, 2005, 251 Posts, 3734 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on May 15, 2011 at 1:44 PM

Hi Charlie. The depth to cover was not very high, so f/19 and the camera almost parallel to the 'egg' were enough for having all in focus with a crop of 30% about. For the light and color contrasts, I must thank the first ray of the dawn: it warms up the lighted colors but in the shade still rest the cold silver of the night.
In PS: Curves in LAB for adjusting and enhancing colors; blending modes for refining the contrast. At the end, a bit of glow on the rising petals, for a contrast with the sharpen 'egg'.
Thank for your interest, Charlie. Thanks to all for the comments.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on May 15, 2011 at 3:20 PM

The detail is magnificent. The beautiful light and smooth BG are super as well.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on May 15, 2011 at 4:04 PM

What wonderful detail and light Gigi. I can't wait for the second chapter.
Bob

Registered on October 27, 2005, 289 Posts, 4202 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on May 15, 2011 at 4:26 PM

Just amazing sharpness and texture, Gigi and beautiful lighting. Above all, you take from this the most powerful sense of the emerging flower. Unbelievable image !

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

Comment posted by Brigitte Lorenz on May 15, 2011 at 4:36 PM

Great composition, Gigi...the light and details are fascinating...beautiful image!!!!

Brigitte

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

Comment posted by Des Ong on May 15, 2011 at 6:55 PM

Incredible details and colours, works a treat.

Registered on July 12, 2007, 23 Posts, 234 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on May 15, 2011 at 7:03 PM

Gigi: I love poppy buds in this stage and this is a fabulous capture. Great plane of focus management and an inspired comp. Looking forward to the rest of the series. >=))>

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

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on May 15, 2011 at 8:17 PM

Wow, the detail on this is incredible, Gigi! I love the comp, focus, subject, everything. Top notch!

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 15, 2011 at 8:37 PM

Fantastic shot. The glowing hairs are terrific and they coordinate will with the color in the petals. It's amazing how the husk (for lack of more knowledge) is pulled away from that one section of petals. It's that yellow and orange section that set this shot apart.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on May 15, 2011 at 9:22 PM

Ahh!! Don't remind me of Poppies - absolutely super clean shot which is needed to highlight those small hairs on the stem and the helmet

.

S curve adds to the composition and the background works well for the strong petal colors.

Class Work, Gigi

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

Comment posted by Philip Southard on May 15, 2011 at 10:49 PM

Simply beautiful Gigi in every way. Comp and lighting are particularly striking; also, great BG.

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

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on May 16, 2011 at 9:41 PM

A very beautiful image Gigi. Wonderful lighting and color.

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

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on May 17, 2011 at 10:47 AM

Great sci-fi feel to this unusual shot.

lucy

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on May 18, 2011 at 10:09 PM

Hi GIgi

Excellent work!! The detail and color are spectacular

Albert Darmo Canada

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

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on May 18, 2011 at 11:20 PM

Incredible! The downward position, the curved stem and the hairy textures are all great. Then the orange blossom just glows. Awesome!

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments