Posted by Brad Mangas on September 22, 2008 at 1:21 PM
A little experiment I tried a week ago. I really didn't know how this would work out. Now I wish I had spent more time finding a really good head of bluestem to shoot. That seems to be my only issue with this. The head itself just isn't quite the way I want it. Not sure what it is about it. But overall I kinda like it. Now it looks like I have to spend much more time around the bluestem at sunset, that is when the winds not blowing. (That's almost an oxymoron here in Kansas).
Not much photoshop work was needed, adjusted the levels in and add a touch more red and yellow saturation. Just thought I would share it.
A note about the bluestem grass I have posted the last few times. To my untrained non-botanist eye I have labeled these as bluestem. It is possible these may be Indian Grass's. I will educate myself to do a better job at positively identifying such post accurately.
70-300 @ 130mm, f5.6, 1/250
Posted by Lon Sharp on September 22, 2008 at 1:47 PM
The gradation of color from top to bottom is really nice. I can see what you mean about a better stem, but this makes a good graphic!
Posted by Tom Kennon on September 22, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Hey Brad, I agree with Lon, the background colors are really nice and pleasing to the eye.
Posted by Don Kurz on September 22, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Brad, yes, you have a nice shot of Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans. This is one of the dominant tallgrass prairie grasses, second in height only to big bluestem.
Best,
Don
Posted by Brad Mangas on September 23, 2008 at 2:11 AM
Thank you Don, I said I may be work. Don't let me wander too far off track.
Your clarifications are always appreciated.
Brad
Posted by Daniel Loomis on September 23, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Indian Grass is often much taller than Bluestem, but that is in Oklahoma where the bluestem never gets really tall. You photo is definitely Indian Grass. I would like to see some of its beautiful colors in your next effort. The golden heads are truly stunning in morning light.
Posted by Tim Mulholland on September 23, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Good work!
I'd like to see more emphasis on the grass by focusing in on it more or cropping, but I'm afraid that you'll then lose the beautiful orange gradation... conundrums...
Tim!
Posted by Don Kurz on September 23, 2008 at 4:25 PM
"Indian Grass is often much taller than Bluestem..."
There are at least four different species of bluestem. Big bluestem is the largest and typically is taller than Indian grass throughout the 13 states where tallgrass prairie occurs. There may be some local populations in OK where this could be reversed but it is possible that you are thinking of little bluestem which typically gets 3 ft (rarely 4 ft) tall...
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on September 23, 2008 at 10:02 PM
The background is outstanding and the silhouette ain't bad either. Good stuff Brad!
Discussion
8 repliesNot much photoshop work was needed, adjusted the levels in and add a touch more red and yellow saturation. Just thought I would share it.
A note about the bluestem grass I have posted the last few times. To my untrained non-botanist eye I have labeled these as bluestem. It is possible these may be Indian Grass's. I will educate myself to do a better job at positively identifying such post accurately.
70-300 @ 130mm, f5.6, 1/250
Best,
Don
Your clarifications are always appreciated.
Brad
I'd like to see more emphasis on the grass by focusing in on it more or cropping, but I'm afraid that you'll then lose the beautiful orange gradation... conundrums...
Tim!
There are at least four different species of bluestem. Big bluestem is the largest and typically is taller than Indian grass throughout the 13 states where tallgrass prairie occurs. There may be some local populations in OK where this could be reversed but it is possible that you are thinking of little bluestem which typically gets 3 ft (rarely 4 ft) tall...