Orchid's Glow

Gallery: FloraPosted February 7, 2013208 views16 comments

After seeing Bill's pictures of his white phalaenopsis orchid last year, I was convinced of the beauty in the light colors so I gave my wife this hybrid with pastel yellow and magentas in its petals. This is a 7 shot stack capturing one flower with very soft sunlight providing back lighting. (5D3, 100mm macro L, 0.3 s, f/16, iso 800, tripod, cable release and mirror lock up)

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on February 7, 2013 at 9:26 PM

Beautiful, Mark! That soft backlighting makes these petals just glow! It also helps highlight all the subtle color shadings in each petal. Very nice comp too with the two buds on the right and the slightly angled stem. And, of course, lots of great details from your stacking.

Well done!

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on February 7, 2013 at 9:33 PM

Excellent backlighting, Mark. Very beautifully done.

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

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on February 8, 2013 at 5:29 AM

I think as good as it gets with backlighting, Mark - beautifully done ! I guess I have a ( very subjective ) preference for these orchids to be front lit to get the most out of the petal textures and the white/red contrasts, but it's great to see the dramatic effect of the glow in the dark.

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

Comment posted by William Gillis on February 8, 2013 at 5:36 AM

Outstanding image Mark. I like everything about this. The comp, BG, color, lighting and the fine job of stacking.

Congratulations on winning the weekly challenge. Icy Magnolia.

William Gillis

Registered on November 28, 2011, 17 Posts, 204 Comments

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on February 8, 2013 at 1:47 PM

I love the light. A wonderful portrait.
Bob

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

Comment posted by Wayne Bartz on February 8, 2013 at 2:38 PM

I love the lighting on this.

Registered on May 12, 2007, 56 Posts, 92 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on February 8, 2013 at 7:29 PM

Mark:

The lighting here makes this orchid special. I like how the flower just glows in the dark and the diagonal with the buds pointing to the RUC. Well done

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 8, 2013 at 10:32 PM

Hi Mark

Superb lighting always makes a great photograph, and you captured it here

the detail and color are also delightful

Albert Darmo

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

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on February 9, 2013 at 11:17 AM

Great shot, Mark. The backlight works very well here!

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 9, 2013 at 7:49 PM

Mark: This is a beauty! Great lighting, color and comp. 2+thumbs up! >=))>

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

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on February 9, 2013 at 8:07 PM

How very strange, I know I commented on this but I must not have clicked the add comment button? Anyhow I really like the light shining through the petals like this! Excellent stacking & comp....great work!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Stahlke on February 10, 2013 at 11:51 PM

Mark,
That's an outstanding portrait of a lovely variety. The lighting is superb and makes the flower glow.
There is a tiny spot at the bottom of the upper bud that tends to draw my eye away from the flower. I wouldn't mind if that went away.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 97 Posts, 782 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 11, 2013 at 12:12 PM

Love the backlighting here. Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on February 11, 2013 at 4:39 PM

Lovely shot Mark , nice use of back lighting and comp.

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on February 18, 2013 at 8:12 AM

Only beautiful Mark!
Cheers.

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

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on February 18, 2013 at 1:19 PM

Love the light and the contrasts of light and dark in the bloom. Excellent detail and color.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments