Shadow and Light

I like this, as it is very much reductionist. The negative space on the right is essential to that impresson.

My only suggestion would be to experiment with significant further reduction in the Exposure Slider while keeping the dynamic range in tact.

But now that I look at again, I think you have probably gone through that process already.

Amazing image, Lorna Taylor. One that really brings us back to the beginning of when light starts to bounce off the subject, and how the very essence of the eventual recognition of that in cognition results in the extistential conclusion that it is: "It" being the subject of our photograph.

What Heidegger called "dasein"; that which "stands up inside itself and is", and to append Paul Tillich's existential theology in The Courage to Be, "despite that which tends to deny that self-affirmation.", I see all that emerging in this image you have posted.

We recognize it as a "flower", yet it lacks some aspects; such as color, most noteably.

It kind of reminds me of a picture of a bird; a cardinal; I saw here recently.

Lorna - This is wonderful !!. Rarely does a B&W version of a flower appeal to me and this is one such. Really like the processing which has brought forward some good tones and a feel that makes me want to touch the petals to feel the textures.

Love the soft zig zags inside the flower set against the radial pattern. very special bw, indeed. only wish you'd posted a larger view.

Thanks everyone, Lucy sorry I always forget about the larger post option !

Lorna:

Wow! Fabulous B&W image. Love the dark tone in the petals and the light tone in the center. Up there with the very best B&W floral I have seen.

Very artistic, Lorna.

Beautiful! I love the low level of lighting & having it in BW really works well! I hope you keep doing these as they have been really enjoyable to look at!

Good texture and tonality, Lorna. The petal at 7 o'clock looks a little soft, I don't know why. Maybe just my impression.

Thanks everyone for the feedback,
Phil I think it looks soft because of the way the light hit it it was not able to emphasize the textures as much as it did for the other pedals. Wish I had thought to post a larger version as it is sharp just a bit flat compared to the others . Oh well that is why experimenting is fun . As long as winter keeps us in it's grip here in the north I will keep playing and trying to refine my lighting skills.

Maybe I beat you with my shot of Peace Lily, but your recent posts, including this one, are masterpieces. I can learn a lot. Thank you.

What a splendid work Lorna! I am looking at and thinking where are the lights placed.
Take care.

Hi Gigi,

Well that is a secret ! I used one very low powered light which I diffused strongly on the right of the flower and then one larger light off the the front left but again diffused and well now a girl can't give away all her secrets now you know !! I used a very diffused flashlight to do some light painting !

Lorna: This is so artful! Beautiful conversion and final result. >=))>

Wonderful exploration of light in your series.