oh my. there have to be some upsides to this crazy state of affairs we find ourselves in, and you returning to 365 - for however long you choose to stay! - is one of them. i hope you and yours are staying well. and thank you for this beautiful image, which reminds me what i've been missing :)
That sense of volume is certainly achieved here, not only use of light but the stunning composition . The synergy between the leaves and the flower, the likeness to a flame and the harmony - which I see as your speciality in the art you create through photograpy. What a treat!
No, this photo (and also the pictures on the previous two pages) was taken in the garden. All these plants are still alive, nourished by the earth, embraced by the light of the sun.
But you are right, the best way to control the light is in a studio. But I didn't want to cut this plant up for a photo.
I waited for a moment for the shot when the sun disappeared behind the clouds. I did not want strong cast shadows for my project, as they inevitably arise in glaring sunlight. I covered the background with a black t-shirt - this results in a matt black. I used filters to edit the lights and shadows so that they flow nicely. I wanted to emphasize the expressive wave movement of the leaves upwards. I also brightened up the blossom a bit - it should be the brightest part of the picture and appear a bit as if it were shining from the inside, like a light source. I subtly brightened the background where it seemed appropriate.
@jernst1779 Dear Jean, thank you for your interest!
I used day light. May I refer you to my letter to Junko (directly above my reply) for further details?
@pistache Thank you for your warm welcome! I'm really happy about it.
Yes, the current circumstances are really not easy. I get along.
I hope you are well.
Take care.
@Jerome -- thank you for taking time to give me a thorough explanation. I will try your description, once we can go back to the Chicago Botanic Garden. A black t-shirt is something I have, and I will watch for the sun and light and take filters. Do you use a polarizing filter?
@jyokota You are welcome! An addition to the black background: I just took what I had on hand. But it may be easier, you use a black cardboard instead of the t-shirt. I attached the whole thing to a stick - so you can put this black background in the ground and you have your hands free to take pictures. If you have a motif in an elevated position, you can use the stick as a handle. It is then helpful to have a second person who positions the background according to your instructions. I was alone photographing the fig motif on the previous page. Holding the balance on the ladder, positioning the black background and operating the camera - all in one. A gymnastics exercise.
However, I am not sure whether it is allowed to operate on the plants with such a thing in the botanical garden. In any case, I handled it carefully so as not to damage the plants.
I rarely use polarization filters. I should do it more often and specifically.
@Jerome -- a black cardboard -- I must work on acquiring one. Good tip, and you're right. more stable. I have a very uninteresting back yard with very little t photograph nicely so that's why I thought of the botanic gardens. Once, we planted 100 tulip bulbs and by the following spring, the rabbits ate most, then all but 3, and eventually even those. I am definitely NOT a green thumb but I have appreciation of those who are. Challenge: find friends and neighbors with beautiful flowers and plants and convince them I will be careful with a black cardboard and ask -- oh, and can you hold it in place while I photograph? PS I smiled at your description of being on a ladder for the fig photo -- I will definitely NOT plan to do that! To uncoordinated.
@golftragic Thank you, Marnie, for your nice comment! However, I am never satisfied with my products. Again and again I notice something, have an idea, want to try this and that. There is so much to learn. One should be allowed to live forever.
@pistache Thank you very much for your warm words! As far as I can, I will participate in this great community. I feel warmly embraced. The so nice exchange here and the experience of so many pictures made with heart is so good. It’s overwhelming.
Yes, it is a difficult time. I hope you and your loved ones get along and you are fine.
Thanks for your kind interest!
No, this photo (and also the pictures on the previous two pages) was taken in the garden. All these plants are still alive, nourished by the earth, embraced by the light of the sun.
But you are right, the best way to control the light is in a studio. But I didn't want to cut this plant up for a photo.
I waited for a moment for the shot when the sun disappeared behind the clouds. I did not want strong cast shadows for my project, as they inevitably arise in glaring sunlight. I covered the background with a black t-shirt - this results in a matt black. I used filters to edit the lights and shadows so that they flow nicely. I wanted to emphasize the expressive wave movement of the leaves upwards. I also brightened up the blossom a bit - it should be the brightest part of the picture and appear a bit as if it were shining from the inside, like a light source. I subtly brightened the background where it seemed appropriate.
I used day light. May I refer you to my letter to Junko (directly above my reply) for further details?
Yes, the current circumstances are really not easy. I get along.
I hope you are well.
Take care.
The soul... I think we need soulful things. Otherwise the human is lost.
However, I am not sure whether it is allowed to operate on the plants with such a thing in the botanical garden. In any case, I handled it carefully so as not to damage the plants.
I rarely use polarization filters. I should do it more often and specifically.
Good light!
I hope you are well.
Yes, it is a difficult time. I hope you and your loved ones get along and you are fine.