Flora - 1st Place

Gallery: EPA 2014Posted June 3, 20142,969 views38 comments

Photo of the Month 5/14

Day Lily #1

Love this time of year, and the astounding variety of Day Lily's at the Bamboo Farm near Savannah. A 12 image focus stack.

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Camera Info: Nikon D7100, tripod, remote release
Lens: VR 105mm f/2.8G
Focus Mode: Manual
AF-Area Mode: Single
VR: OFF
Aperture: f/3
Shutter Speed: 1/5000s
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Exposure Comp.: -0.7EV
Metering: Spot
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200
83% of full frame
PP in LR 5.4, Zerene Stacker, PSCC, NIK and Topaz filters

Comments

38 comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on June 3, 2014 at 10:22 PM

Oh yes . . .
Phil, yet another outstanding composition and an example of your text book processing skills.
I really enjoy the colors in this one and IMO that busy BG adds a lot of interest to this beautiful image.

Man !

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on June 4, 2014 at 1:01 AM

Phil, you are truly the master of the stacked image. Love this. Everything is right where it should be. Beautiful.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Sanjay Sundaram on June 4, 2014 at 3:17 PM

Stunning details and excellent color Phil. I think a less cluttered background will really make the flower stand out. But, understand that may not be possible here.

Sanjay

Registered on April 9, 2013, 107 Posts, 725 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on June 4, 2014 at 3:19 PM

What a gorgeous bloom Phil. I love the curves in that bloom. This is nice, and I do not find the BG to hurt that main bloom. Do you have any that offer a closer up shot? (My guess is that you do, since this is called 'Day Lily 1'.)

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on June 4, 2014 at 8:09 PM

Phil - What I like most here is the lighting effect --> the perfect overcast day look.

Stacking is superb as always, Lily very fresh and the colors just magical. Whats not to like here

I said nothing about the background, for me its not a problem at all.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on June 4, 2014 at 8:39 PM

My take on backgrounds. As long as the subject is dominant and the background serves as context for the subject, I see no reason for avoiding it. At least in the larger sense. There are sometimes jarring notes—OOF highlights, an isolated sharp focused object, distracting colors, etc.—which might need to be toned down or cloned out, but in the main, the background can add grace notes and context to a photo just as in a painting. For example The painting by Millet, "The Gleaners", is a perfect example. http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/gleaners/GgHsT2RumWxbtw?utm_source=google&utm_medium=kp&hl=en&projectId=art-project

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on June 5, 2014 at 9:52 AM

Love it, Phil !! Absolutely no nits whatsoever - I can almost smell the flower from here !!!

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on June 5, 2014 at 8:13 PM

One of the best daylily images I"ve seen. Superb, Phil.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on June 5, 2014 at 10:49 PM

Wonderful all around detail of a beautiful flower, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on June 6, 2014 at 8:34 PM

Phil: What a beauty and your capture does it justice. Like all the buds as well. Top notch shot. >=))>

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on June 10, 2014 at 9:57 AM

Hi Phil

Where did my comment go

i guess i forgot to push the add comment button

As everyone said. this can not get better. the excellent detail and color are amazing. and that sublime light!!!!!

Albert Darmo

Canada

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

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on June 13, 2014 at 5:05 PM

I missed this beauty Phil. The best choise for the Weekly Pick. Bravo!
Take care.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on June 13, 2014 at 10:49 PM

Hi Phil

Congrats on a well deserved WP

Albert Darmo
Canada

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

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on June 14, 2014 at 7:15 AM

Many congratulations on the EP, Phil !!!!!!! A most lovely image.

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

Comment posted by Donna Erhardt on June 14, 2014 at 10:23 AM

Excellent work - my suggestion to all is to view the large version!

Registered on November 16, 2003, 19 Posts, 21 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on June 14, 2014 at 3:32 PM

Congrats!! Ravishing bloom …well done!

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on June 14, 2014 at 4:17 PM

Hello Phil

Congrats on potm.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 14, 2014 at 4:30 PM

Beautiful shot, Philip. The chaos of the foliage is well handled here, and your usually flawless stacking and detail are well apparent. The light is nice and subtle, but still obviously adding a perfect amount of glow to the lily. Congrats on another great Pick!!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 14, 2014 at 5:06 PM

Hi Phil, This is wonderful!! Feels like you could reach right out and touch it in the large version. Great processing and keeping such a nice natural look and feel. Congrats on a wonderful POTM!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on June 15, 2014 at 7:51 AM

Excellent work Phil! Wonderful colors, detail, and composition-a stunning image. And congratulations on POTM!

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on June 15, 2014 at 4:56 PM

Congrats on the Monthly Pick…fantastic…I saw a later version and missed this. This is terrific. Ditto…ditto…to all that has been said.

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on June 16, 2014 at 11:08 AM

Phil, the larger version is absolutely stunning. I only have shot a few macro takes over the years, and I'm in awe of work such as this image.
Congratulations on the selection and honor of the cover photo of the month here...........

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on June 16, 2014 at 8:13 PM

Thanks all, and thank you NPN!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Bob/Charly Nelson on June 18, 2014 at 9:42 AM

Beautiful Phil, well deserved!
Bob&Charly

Registered on January 29, 2014, 35 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 21, 2014 at 10:42 AM

The detail and color are just stunning Phil. Congratulations on Photo of the Month!

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on June 21, 2014 at 7:53 PM

Stunning image Phil!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on June 26, 2014 at 10:14 AM

Phil,

Beautiful image and congrats on being the cover photo. You have put in many many years of hard work and dedication to your craft and have been a constant presence on these forums and it's nice to see you get recognized with a beautiful image.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 11, 2014 at 3:44 PM

Just lovely -
Congrats on the WP!

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on January 3, 2015 at 11:46 AM

Phil - Many Congratulations on the 2014 EPA Top Pick !!.

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on January 3, 2015 at 2:15 PM

WOW, very nicely done here, Phil. Congratulations on this 2014 EP selection with this very fine image.......

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on January 3, 2015 at 3:04 PM

Hello Phil

CONGRATS!

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on January 3, 2015 at 8:01 PM

Many thanks again, NPN! Not only do I appreciate the honor, but I appreciate even more the lessons learned here. It is not only the techniques that I have somehow absorbed over the years here, but the more important lesson of recognizing intent and respecting effort. I hope to remain a member for as long as I am able, and I hope to "pay it forward" as I go.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on January 4, 2015 at 11:23 AM

Congratulations on the 1st place award. I've enjoyed viewing your floral pictures over the years. Nice to see all your hard work pay off.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on January 4, 2015 at 1:45 PM

Phil,
While you are versatile and take a wide variety of shots, I think your true gift is with flowers. Congratulations on receiving this award. You deserve it. Happy New Year

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Sanjay Sundaram on January 4, 2015 at 6:51 PM

Congratulations Phil!! Looking forward to seeing a lot more of your wonderful images in 2015!
Keep up the wonderful work!

Sanjay

Registered on April 9, 2013, 107 Posts, 725 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on January 6, 2015 at 4:34 AM

Phil, congrats on the well deserved award!

D&L

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

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on January 8, 2015 at 4:20 AM

Phil, a well deserved award representing all the beautiful works that you have posted in 2014. Congrats.

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

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on March 24, 2015 at 1:08 PM

What an image!! Congrats on your 2014 Award.

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