Leatherleaf (+ Alt.Crop)

Gallery: FloraPosted May 10, 2012114 views9 comments

Many Adirondack Lakes are acidic enough to support bog plants such as this Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata). I was paddling in such a lake last week, enveloped in clouds and misty rain when I spotted a large colony of these in flower. I could not resist them, so I got out of my canoe and waded in the very cold water with my tripod. Unfortunately, I neglected to pack my macro lens on this short morning paddle, so I had to shoot with a landscape lens and crop. But I'm still pretty happy with this 6.5 MP version.

CROPPING QUESTION. I included the large leaf on the left in the posted version, but I think the crop below (in my own comment) may be a better composition. Which looks better to you?

Canon 5DII
Canon 24-105
1/8 sec. @ f/16; ISO 320

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on May 10, 2012 at 9:33 PM

Here's the crop without the big leaf on the left. Which one do you prefer?

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on May 10, 2012 at 10:25 PM

I prefer the cropped version, Wayne. The comp is tighter, more balanced, and less cluttered. Nice capture of this wild flora.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on May 10, 2012 at 11:21 PM

Ditto on the crop for me, too. Still, this is one that is "dripping" with beauty.

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

Comment posted by Peter Cross on May 10, 2012 at 11:41 PM

Really nice photo, Wayne. I think of all the years I paddled on bogs and never saw the leatherleaf in flower. Guess I didn't get out there early enough. It is a pretty little flower. As to the 2 versions, I vote for the cropped version. It has all the stuff that's important so that's the comp for me.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Gerald Liddelow on May 11, 2012 at 8:59 AM

The croped version gets my vote, it's all about the flowers.

Registered on August 10, 2011, 30 Posts, 40 Comments

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on May 11, 2012 at 11:58 AM

Beautiful flowers and raindrops. I prefer the cropped version.

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on May 11, 2012 at 4:10 PM

Wayne - Since this is more of a documentary shot, I find the leaf under discussion in the Original photo as something integral to the composition. While due to the cropping the flowers have gained virtual magnification, cropped version stands out so to say but I don't have a strong preference for either one - they both stand on their own.

Well seen and a flower that does not get posted here often.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on May 13, 2012 at 11:08 AM

Hi Wayne

I too, prefer the croped version, the detail and color are well done... Thanks for sharing this rare and beautiful plant

Albert Darmo

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

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on May 13, 2012 at 8:49 PM

Wayne:
I do prefer the cropped version. The flowers looks really pristine. Too bad you did not have your macro lens. Blurring out the bg would make a beautiful image.

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