Another visit to the Tulip fields this morning and eager to try Nathan Buck's "Cram-it" technique after reviewing his article. I decided to shoot using my long 600mm lens, surely more artillery then one usually selects to shoot a few flowers but I like the short DOF and OOF watercolor like effects the lens can achieve.
I find this has a "dreaming" effect, shooting over/thru a row of pink tulips and focusing on the dew covered yellow bloom and bud. I like the OOF BG flowers, the red was a bit distracting and so was slightly desaturated. About 15% cropped off the bottom.
"Thank you, Nathan!"
Posted by John Williams on April 19, 2010 at 10:04 AM
What a rich mix of colors! I admire your creativity in making this shot too. Looks like a great idea to keep playing with.
I'd love to see the same photo with the one tulip either fully open or fully closed. For some reason that one petal open distracts me more than it probably should.
Posted by David Cobb on April 19, 2010 at 10:50 AM
I'm often using my 1.4x and 2x for cramming shots Craig, it does make it a bit easier. The subjects are a bit too center for my comp tastes. A crop from the top below the background black will get rid of the distracting background and improve the comp.
Posted by Ned Fenimore on April 19, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Very cool! I keep meaning to try this but never seem to get around to it when opportunity presents itself..
Posted by David Bostock on April 19, 2010 at 9:32 PM
Craig, this is spectacular. I have moved to this kind of photography for flowers and really like the soft, dreamy look it creates. Well done and a great, successful experiment.
Good cram! I think putting back the bottom part you cropped off and cropping the top might make this even stronger. Lovely combo of color and choice of subject to isolate for the cram. Well done, Craig! Nathan is definitely an expert at the technique, and for your first try I think this is pretty exceptional.
Posted by Cliff Dodge on April 20, 2010 at 10:22 PM
Your effort paid off, nice and dreamy.
Posted by Scott Smorra on April 22, 2010 at 1:23 AM
I really like all of the different colors here Craig. Thanks for explaining how you made this photo.
Discussion
7 repliesI find this has a "dreaming" effect, shooting over/thru a row of pink tulips and focusing on the dew covered yellow bloom and bud. I like the OOF BG flowers, the red was a bit distracting and so was slightly desaturated. About 15% cropped off the bottom.
"Thank you, Nathan!"
Thanks for looking,
larger image available at, http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/largephoto.cgi?ref=145450
canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L IS USM
Wimberley head, tripod, cable release
I'd love to see the same photo with the one tulip either fully open or fully closed. For some reason that one petal open distracts me more than it probably should.