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Shoreline Purslane
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Shoreline Purslane

by David Schoen

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 1, 2018589 views6 comments
Shoreline Purslane (Sesuvian portulacastrum)  is a succulent plant I found growing in abundance in some of the dry areas of Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii on the Big Island.  It tends to grow out of the cracks in the lava.  It has striking contrast with the black lava adding color to the dark landscape.

Iso-250, 24-120 at 48 mm, F8, 1/50, handheld, D850, essentially full frame, ACR 10, Topaz adjust, TK sharpening action at 50%

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 1, 2018 at 6:26 PM
David, Wow! The large version is impressive! Wonderful color and the detail and textures are absolutely fantastic. I do love the contrast this has. Excellent work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Leggett on February 1, 2018 at 9:09 PM
David, from the thumbnail I immediately recognized the lava. The fascinating thing is that, although it's destructive at first, ultimately is a life giver long afterward, Galapagos and Hawaii being the most notable.
Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 2, 2018 at 9:21 AM
Excellent processing on the lava - can be difficult to process naturally and the green and blue grays really make the Purslane jump off the screen.  Textures and sharpness excellent - surprised so sharp handheld at f8 and zoomed.  Nicely done.
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on February 2, 2018 at 6:50 PM
The large version has some lovely textures and details, David. This looks very sharp for being hand held; I know I could not have done it. My only suggestion; and this is just a personal preference; would have been to pick up those dried out leaves which have dropped off. Certainly not a big deal as this is a beauty as is.

Ed
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Lowe on February 2, 2018 at 8:16 PM
Excellent! My only minor critique is that I would have done a little fine tuning and removed the dead leaves.
Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on February 6, 2018 at 3:41 PM
I love the green against the grey rock. The contrast looks perfect, and the detail is excellent. I suggest a crop from the right so that the plant is more 'front and center'. I agree about cloning out those leaf bits. Lovely image, David!
--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments