Oregon Grape + Re-Post

Gallery: FloraPosted August 18, 201153 views16 comments

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium, Berberidaceae) is an evergreen shrub related to the barberry. The Oregon-grape is not related to true grapes, but gets its name from the purple clusters of berries whose color and slightly dusted appearance is reminiscent of grapes.

The botanic name aquifolium means that the leaf is holly-like (from the Roman name for holly, aquifolium, 'prickly leaved').

The small purplish-black fruits, which are quite tart and contain large seeds, are included in smaller quantities in the traditional diets of Pacific Northwest aboriginal peoples, mixed with Salal or another sweeter fruit. Today they are sometimes used to make jelly, alone or mixed with salal. Oregon grape juice can be fermented to make wine, similar to European barberry wine folk traditions, although it requires an unusually high amount of sugar.

Olympus E-5
50mm F2 macro
1.6 sec @ F20
-1.0 EV
flash off
ISO 200
Full frame
tripod
studio light on right and beam of sunlight from back left.

Large view provided

Comments and critique will be appreciated.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on August 18, 2011 at 5:09 PM

Yum!, can I eat the starburst? Your description of the plant make it sound like a perfect candidate for wild pancake syrup.

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on August 18, 2011 at 6:13 PM

That starburst is wonderful. It makes them look absolutely delicious. They grow wild all over the mountain here but are much better if you wait to pick them till after the first hard frost.(it sweetens them up) They do make great pancake syrup and jelly, too.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on August 18, 2011 at 6:40 PM

Wow. This week has been great on Flora I think. Starbursts, Abstracts, Crams, Film, Xray, Donut bokeh and what not. What a perfect rule of third placement for that star burst, Charlie !!.

Leaves add so much to this composition also.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on August 18, 2011 at 6:54 PM

The colors, comp and background are great. The little star adds interest to the image. Great image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by David Spindle on August 18, 2011 at 7:05 PM

I really like the colors and the little starburst! The rich brown background is very nice also!

Registered on July 25, 2011, 16 Posts, 45 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on August 18, 2011 at 7:32 PM

That starburst is completely natural and I didn't know I had it until processing.. As to taste for syrup, Mark, I'm glad we had an expert in Nancy because I didn't know these were fit to eat. I never even see birds eat them and thought they were likely bad. From the Wiki blurb they must be very tart and need sugar.

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

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on August 18, 2011 at 7:48 PM

Charlie:
A delicious looking image sprinkled with starburst!

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on August 18, 2011 at 8:18 PM

Charlie,

A wonderfully executed and crafted image. No real complaints, but I'm gonna have to be the one to mention this since no one else has. Is there a way for you to extend the canvas any so the tip of the leaf on the right isn't quite merging with the frame? It's a minor point for sure, but at least IMHO, if you want to take a great image and make it even better, you might consider the smallest of details. And it's all I can really find to nitpick anyway!

Great job handling the light btw.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on August 18, 2011 at 8:57 PM

Lon, I took 6 images of this view and 3 have a bit more space outside the leaf and 3 are like this posted shot. I'm a bit sloppy and when I saw the starburst I went with that version which as you noticed is tight up aganst the edge. I'll see what I can do to have both room and starburst. I'm glad you mentioned it. Hope you always will.

Charlie

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on August 18, 2011 at 8:59 PM

A fine image Charlie. Sweet light, strong supporting bg and the sunburst is just icing. The only thing I might consider doing is adding a little canvas on the viewer's right.

pat

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

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on August 19, 2011 at 7:18 PM

Canvas added.

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

Comment posted by Anne K. Rusk on August 19, 2011 at 10:28 PM

The repost is spot on. I am loving this now that it isn't touching!

Registered on October 10, 2010, 65 Posts, 904 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on August 19, 2011 at 10:30 PM

Hi Charlie

Another great well composed capture

love the color and starburst

Albert Darmo

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on August 20, 2011 at 2:45 PM

Charlie: The repost addresses my only less than 1¢ nit. The starburst takes this over the top. One of your best by far.

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

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on August 20, 2011 at 9:14 PM

The starburst puts this over the top for me. Superb work.
Bob

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 23, 2011 at 6:59 PM

Wow, original, and beeyootiful! You are really bringing some top shelf work, Charlie!

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