Water Lily #3

Gallery: FloraPosted August 9, 2011452 views19 comments

This should be the last is the series of aquatic lily images I took last week. This 7 image stack worked pretty well with the bloom and lily pad well focused. I did quite a bit of processing as the original image had the lily pad separated from the bloom by several inches. I cut, pasted the pad closer and then cropped the image for better comp. Petal shadows added to pad and all then processed using NIK's suite. Normally I would not manipulate an image as I did here but without the changes mentioned I would have sent this to the delete bin.

Larger image available, Thank you for stopping.

canon 7D
canon 100mm f2.8L IS USM
F/10 -1 1/80 ISO 100
tripod, cable, stack processed with Helicon Soft, CS4 LR2 Niks suite

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Bob Duff on August 9, 2011 at 4:14 PM

Masterful job Craig. Please put the image into my delete bin

Wonderful lighting and comp. A very compelling image .

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on August 9, 2011 at 5:03 PM

Good work, Craig. The water lily is perfect. I realize the pad serves to authenticate the flower, but you could have left it off for me.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 9, 2011 at 6:17 PM

I'm with Phil - this is lovely as is, but I'm not a huge fan of the lily pad. The bloom is gorgeous and deserves all the attention. Exquisite colours, transluscense, and angle. The dark BG sets it off perfectly.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Dolph McCranie on August 9, 2011 at 6:41 PM

The lighting and Composition is wonderful, a beautiful image.

Registered on August 25, 2006, 146 Posts, 284 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on August 9, 2011 at 7:01 PM

Hi Craig

What a series this has been!! All wonderfully seen and crafted, this lily is no exception, love the color, light, and comp.

Albert Darmo

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

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on August 9, 2011 at 7:54 PM

Craig, I cannot see any hint of PS work at all - that's superbly done. Adding shadows to the pad might have been a pain you know where

. All well, because the end result is just marvellous - directional light superbly made use of also.

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

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on August 9, 2011 at 8:49 PM

Craig:
Masterful pp! Overall image is very pleasing. I might brighten up the back petals just a little.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 9, 2011 at 11:05 PM

Dark, rich, mysterious, Excellent!

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

Comment posted by Ken Smith on August 9, 2011 at 11:30 PM

This has an attractive glow...yet, subtle not loud n noisy. I like the offset green ptn that keeps this from looking like its suspended in the night-sky.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on August 10, 2011 at 8:17 AM

The light is intense in a great way. Looks like the lily is self lit, coming from the center. I wouldn't have dumped this image, either. Nice job on the comp; had you removed the pad it wouldn't have balanced out like it does. But I think I'd have darkened the fg area of the pad as that bottom petal in reality casts a heavy shadow that way. Love the colors.

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

Comment posted by Miro Susta on August 10, 2011 at 10:59 AM

Very nice result Craig. I like the captured light and the perfect BG. The composition is very good but I'm not sure about the green leaf bottom left

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

Comment posted by Christine Jackson on August 10, 2011 at 1:11 PM

Craig,

What a gorgeous aquatic lily you have here! The soft light and colors are excellent!

Chrisie Jackson
Denver, Colorado

Registered on September 19, 2010, 20 Posts, 244 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on August 10, 2011 at 10:06 PM

Gorgeous lily. Superb lighting and processing.

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on August 14, 2011 at 10:33 AM

Craig: Spectacular lighting and a great capture. For me the pad is a major plus element and adds a lot of interest. Great processing. Exceptional shot. >=))>

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

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on August 17, 2011 at 12:44 PM

Craig, Congrats on your Weekly Pick

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 17, 2011 at 1:57 PM

Congrats on a fine WP!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Steve Kennedy on August 17, 2011 at 3:58 PM

Lovely image Craig! I love the lighting and colors. Congratulations on the WP too.

Registered on March 9, 2009, 79 Posts, 676 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on August 18, 2011 at 11:04 AM

Sorry I missed this, Craig - a very beautiful image. Many congrats on the EP !!

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

Comment posted by John Williams on September 3, 2011 at 4:07 PM

Congrats Craig. I'm trying to remember; is this your first EP? If so, it's way over due and couldn't have gone to a better guy.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments