Flower shots (yawn)

[Stephen]

I've never been a great one for flower shots, specimen shots can be a bit of a bore. Macro shots fall into a similar category for me But horse for courses etc lol

Anyway I saw some sample prints the other day whilst in Calumet, and they inspired me to have a go, at least enough to a couple of large prints for the wall.

Here are some examples, feel free to pull em to pieces so to speak, or offer any constructive criticism.

There has been minimal processing, largely done with two lights and no fancy lightent

[coupekid]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

I've never been a great one for flower shots, specimen shots can be a bit of a bore. Macro shots fall into a similar category for me But horse for courses etc lol

Anyway I saw some sample prints the other day whilst in Calumet, and they inspired me to have a go, at least enough to a couple of large prints for the wall.

Here are some examples, feel free to pull em to pieces so to speak, or offer any constructive criticism.

There has been minimal processing, largely done with two lights and no fancy lightent

Hi Stephen, I am undecided about the first one, at the risk of sounding non-pc, and controversial, it seems a little girly with the pink background, the second one I reckon would suite a black background to make it pop a little more. The third I love! the background suites it wonderfully.

[DTD]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

I really like the second one.

Recently I've become a big fan of flower shots and started taking a fair few. I think it's because they are so different to what I usually do and have a lot of the same qualities of still lifes.

All of mine are done with natural daylight, even with today's Mancunian weather.

[Harry]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

I'm with Coupekid, I love the sunflower, the photograph is excellent.
The other two images are losing something, as well as their seed pods. If you had caught the flower earlier in it's life who knows?

[Pops]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

The background of the first is far to unatural for a flower shot and the seed pods look artificial. The 2nd is better, nice soft looking petals but again the seed pods just don't look right.
I go with the 3rd, vibrant yellow and a more appropriate background colour for a sunflower.

[Pol]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

#1 - nice flower with good detail. Good,sharp stigma and nice details on the petals too. I'm not keen on that pink background, which reminds me of the luminous socks I hankered after in the late 50s, early 60s.

#2 - I like this one. Clean background which complements the flower. Good, delicate colour tones throughout. I think I'd like to have seen just a little more texture detail on some of the petals here and there.

#3 - I love this one. It's bold, bright, cheerful and 'funky'. Reminds me of the beautiful and bold shop window displays in the likes of Carnaby St. circa 67/68.


Pol

[Ian]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

They're all very good considering Stephen isn't a macro/flower fan

I'd be interested to know what lens was used.

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

They're all very good considering Stephen isn't a macro/flower fan

I'd be interested to know what lens was used.

Ian

Thanks Ian The first 2 were taken using my 70-200 f/2.8L and the 3rd with a 24-70 f/2.8L

[Stephen]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

Ehyup, Harry & Pops,thanks for your comments, but whats all this about seed pods then ? I think you must be referring to the anthers which produce the pollen, and along with the stamen in the middle are one of the attractive features of this type of Lily

Personally I rather liked the pink background, and thought it complimented the colouring in the flower. However I can accept that it may be a little stong for some tastes and could be toned down a bit.

[lumix]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

I personally like both the Lily shots. I tried to photograph some a few weeks ago and got a right headache. First the smell I found was over powering and trying to find a suitable background to compliment the Lily, well just gave up in the end. I like the way you have cropped the first one. I've never been brave enough to not show all of a flower. Third image looks very seed catalogue to me. Certainly jumps of the page at you don't it.

[Ian]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

Oh yes - I love to look at lilies - superb flowers in that respect, but the scent gives me a headache and the pollen gets everywhere and stains readily.

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

And not a so-called 'macro' lens in sight

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

I personally like both the Lily shots. I tried to photograph some a few weeks ago and got a right headache. First the smell I found was over powering and trying to find a suitable background to compliment the Lily, well just gave up in the end. I like the way you have cropped the first one. I've never been brave enough to not show all of a flower. Third image looks very seed catalogue to me. Certainly jumps of the page at you don't it.

Yes, I could have included the whole flower in the first one but felt that the crop worked better, gave more detail in the flower and eliminated much of the b'ground. I know what you mean about being brave though, too many people get entrenched in old dogma about not doing so, but sometimes its good to break the rules. At one time I would never tilt a camera to the left or right, thinking that it had to be level, and vertical. These days though I regularly do it unless its something like a horizon.

I also tend to agree with you about the sunflower shot. its a bit of a crowd pleaser, yellow against blue etc, everyone like the shot, yet its exactly what you say and quite cliched in many respects. It'll make a good print though

[Autumn]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

I have tried many times to get the stamens of the lily as sharp as these are. Congratulations. I agree with lumix I usually try to get all the flower in - well if I don't intend to, I would crop even tighter, not just the end of the petals.

I think the pink background is too harsh for this image.

I like the second image. The background suits the delicate flower.

Of course the sunflower is a winner, it is so bright and pushy, you can't feel miserable when looking at a sunflower.

We once had a self set and I photographed it every day from bud to the dead flower even from behind the sunflower. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.

[StuartR]

Re: Flower shots (yawn)

Good quality work as usual Stephen but pleeease drop the pink background on the first shot!