Bloodroot

This is probably my favorite wildflower. It is such a delicate little bloom that comes and goes oh so quickly, and I always feel fortunate to find a nice little stand of these. This is another from my day out at Longpool. Hello, Spring!

Nikon D200
Nikon 70-180 Micro
1.6 sec @ f/16

Beautifully composed Dominic. I really like the low angle perspective and soft light. The detail in the stamens is really outstanding too. Love it.

Dominic what a great image. Very clean with great detail. What do you carry to get this black background?

Gale, I carry black felt and a collapsible diffusing panel. The diffuser softens the light on the flower, but also shades the felt to help minimize reflections. I was surprised how reflective felt can be. I even went so far as to have my Mother-in-law sew a piece of felt to create a three panel background with dowels as support. I also carry a square piece with a slit cut halfway into it for shots of flowers on the ground. I use the split to wrap the stem and gently lay the felt down so as not to disturb the surrounding plants. Here is a picture of the three panel BG.

And here is the square piece.

Finally, here's an application for the square piece. I must credit the look to Tim Ernst, but his process may be a little different.

Very nice shots, Dominic. Do you stick the dowels into the ground?

John, I usually stick the dowels into the ground, when the ground is nice and soft. The felt slides all the way up and down the dowels, so I don't have to push the dowels in too far. I do like to minimize my impact(take only pictures, leave only footprints), so you won't see me out in the woods hammering those dowels into the ground with a big rock or anything. I used to prop the felt up on sticks that I found along the way, but this is much easier to work with.

Very nice pictures (the bloodroot, anyway ) , and some great info on your process.

Very nice portrait Dominic! I saw this on the Flora forum but hadn't commented yet. Glad you posted it here too. I really like the idea of the felt with the slit in it. Ahhh, the tools of the trade.

Thanks for the scoop on your black bg setup. I've always managed with just a piece of cardboard covered with black fabric, but yours looks like a much better arrangement.

Dominic thanks for sharing your backgrounds with us! I have tried some black fabric before but not with the dowels or one with a slit. (great idea) Finding a way to lay or hang loose fabric just doesn't work as well as your system. Have you ever tried the plamp by wimberly? I want one just haven't forked up the money and taken time to order one. This thread (and spring blooms) may prompt me to order one.

Very nice bloodroot images. They are such photographic flowers. The low angle of the first one really show that fact.

I have very little macro experience, but I know what I like -- I like this. Excellent pics. I tried using black felt on one my few macro attempts, but like you found it incredibly reflective. I was unable to get one usuable shot (of course can't blame that all on the felt). I will have to pack my diffuser next time. Thanks for sharing your set-up.

Gale, I haven't used a plamp, but I have considered it many times. I can imagine so many practical uses for them, especially with macro work.

Your flora images are always top notch Dominic. Interesting to learn about your black background setup. I always wondered how, but mostly why you chose to have a completely black background. It gives it a very artistic look and really singles the flower out. For what ever my two cents are worth, to me it seems to take the nature look out of the image. I guess personally I like to see things in their natural surroundings. But like I say, thats just me. Your flora images are excellent. Thanks for sharing your work and technique.

Brad

Very lovely work, and like the others I like the side-on point of view. And thanks for the insights into the mechanics of making an image like this.