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Delphinium Experiment
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Delphinium Experiment

by Dennis Plank

Gallery: FloraPosted June 27, 2013140 views13 comments
There's quite a bit of post processing in this one. This was a stack to start with (can't remember how many layers-I think 4). Then I flattened it, duplicated the layer and deliberately blurred it, then blended it with the unblurred layer to try to get back the foggy feel of the morning when it was taken. I kept being struck by the look of a forest ridge line in this plant when I sat on our porch in the morning and tried several times to capture it-with a notable lack of success. This is the closest I came.

I'd be interested in knowing if this works for anyone?

5Diii, 180mm f3.5 macro at f4, 1/1000, iso 400. Taken in the fog on May 26th at 10:04 am.

Comments and criticisms are earnestly solicited.

Thanks for looking,

Comments

13 comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on June 27, 2013 at 8:16 PM
Works for me! :smile: Great comp with the varying heights of the flowers and the strip of greenery along the bottom. It does resemble a forest ridge line. I think your mid-image focal point actually works well. . .gives a feeling depth to the image. The raindrops add a very nice touch. Great moody scene but I think I might wish it brightened just a tiny bit.
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by Buck Ward on June 27, 2013 at 8:25 PM
I think your work was successful. It is like a forest of flowers. I love the droplets - a big plus. I agree with Carolyn about the brightness, if it could be done without blowing out the highlights in the drops.
Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on June 27, 2013 at 8:44 PM
Dennis:

Looking from a far, the image do look like a forest ridge line. Love the bokeh in the bg. Agree with Caroline about brightening the image some. For my taste, I would prefer the focus point to be slightly forward. Keep experimenting.
Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments
Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on June 27, 2013 at 8:47 PM
Dennis - Good elements like the peaks and valleys (implied Vs), rain drops and DOF which plays games on the mind all go in favour of this shot. Like Gary the first thing that I thought of is a bit more frontal DOF. I usually try not to put OOF elements in the beginning of the frame unless they are crams.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on June 27, 2013 at 9:35 PM
Dennis, I really like this image. The color, the water, the soft feeling and the composition are all great. Fine image.
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by Balan Vinod on June 28, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Dennis ...love this one ..Like the pov ..and the mood too the drops are like jewels ..

Balan Vinod
Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments
Comment posted by Sanjay Sundaram on June 28, 2013 at 1:31 PM
Great effort, Dennis. The muted colors and water droplets are beautiful.
I agree with the comments already made about more brightness and increased DoF. In my opinion a little more room at the top would balance it out and add to the ridgeline look.

Sanjay
Registered on April 9, 2013, 107 Posts, 725 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on June 28, 2013 at 4:23 PM
The tones here are superb, Dennis - for me you have absolutely caught the mood and feel of the time of day. Most interesting processing - well worth the effort and very imaginative !!
Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on June 28, 2013 at 8:58 PM
Dennis, I like everything about this with the exception of the oof flower front center. So, I'll give this an "A" instead of an A+.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on June 29, 2013 at 11:17 AM
Dennis: Works great for me. I really like the color palette and the various POFs. Superbly crafted image. >=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments
Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 29, 2013 at 6:21 PM
So, looks like you shot through these to focus on the ones toward the back? Just as when I do this, I have to let my eye relax and go with a soft gaze. Then I enjoy the trip through the delphinium forest with all the sparkling rain drops. Love the mood, too, Dennis– rainy PNW!
Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on June 29, 2013 at 7:32 PM
Hi Dennis :wavey: What a splendid composition :jump: Beautifully seen and crafted ... i love the mood here:toast:
Albert Darmo
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 30, 2013 at 10:28 PM
Feels wet. Good mood and that rainy day feel. Well done.
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments