Blue Iris
View Smaller Image
|
|
yvonne
Registered: August 2008
Posts: 438
|
|
|
Before you jump on me, Kev - Ive spotted my deliberate mistake! Of course, it is an Iris and not a lily - (I dont know the latin name) us mere mortals are inclined to make mistakes!
|
|
yvonne
Registered: August 2008
Posts: 438
|
|
|
Did a quick edit 
|
|
Kev
Registered: February 2008
Posts: 2,722
|
|
yvonne
Registered: August 2008
Posts: 438
|
|
|
Thanks Kev - I'll look at your blog - been quite busy of late and not able to indulge in much shooting. Plus I'll get NX Capture too. - out of interest, what do you think of the above? Grateful for any constructive criticism!
|
|
Kev
Registered: February 2008
Posts: 2,722
|
|
|
OK, here's my 25 cents worth...
First off, I think one has to decide whether the shot is going to be a 'close-up' or a 'macro' - as it can't really be both. I think many folks get a wee bit confused with this subject and try to shoot very closeup without using a proper 1:1 ratio macro and wind up pushing their regular lens to the minimum-focus max.
That's the case here - I believe.
The perspective (at this distance) is indeed macro, but IF you were using a macro lens I don't think you'd get anywhere near the DOF shown here, so I suspect you've just maxed out a regular 55mm.
I do that sometimes too and it works OK/fine, but at other times it's not so good.
I think here it would have been better to back off somewhat and treat it simply as a closeup - but not THIS close, which would have obtained better critical-detail and clarity, etc. It's a bit too much 'in my face' but doesn't have that macro type angle, which is more subtle, with a smoother transition between focal planes.
The colour saturation looks kinda over enhanced/false too.
The lighting isn't bad...there's no blowout areas...but the Piccasa masking tool is not great coz it hasn't defined the petal edges very well.
|
|
yvonne
Registered: August 2008
Posts: 438
|
|
|
Well, I did ask for it! Yes, I did go close in and maxed to the 55mm but this is a crop and looks even closer - I'll post the original as comparison. No colour saturation was employed on this one, merely shadows and a bit of highlight and I sharpened it one click. I'll admit, it does look dark but I think using the shadow tool to black out the background, also darkened the blue of the Iris - have a look at original and see if thats any better - I do value your feedback as I've not done a huge amount of flowers and plants s ticking mostly to landscapes but I want to have some variety.
|
|
yvonne
Registered: August 2008
Posts: 438
|
|
|
Original pic - I sharpened the edges one click.
|
|
Kev
Registered: February 2008
Posts: 2,722
|
|
|
The blue looks more natural now...and yes, often when you apply a background-darkening tool it will effect the subject too...unless one uses a proper PS masking/layer setup...or selection control points in NX2.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yvonne why don't you do like I do and save your self some aggro, I use a board covered with Black felt and put that behind the subject to be photographed.
|
|
yvonne
Registered: August 2008
Posts: 438
|
|
|
Dado, yes I could do that but these were taken outdoors in a friends garden. If I were picking the flowers to photograph at home, I could certainly do that as an option. I don't yet have all the indoor lighting that I would need so I tend to photograph outdoors mostly, but I'll get there. Thanks for the tip-all comments are greatly appreciated.
|
|
geofflaw
Site Admin
Registered: December 2007
Posts: 1,398
|
|
|
I prefer it with the original background. 
|
|
yvonne
Registered: August 2008
Posts: 438
|
|
|
There's always one! You guys are so contrary! Luckily I have saved all my attempts on this pic, even watercolour and posterising which I quite liked and would look good on canvas,I think. Ah, well, onward and upward!
|
|
|
|
|
| Users |
1,271 |
| Photos |
6,078 |
| Comments |
10,694 |
| Views |
9,515,164 |
| Disk Space |
4,571.2mb |
|
|
| Home
| Community Forum
| Photo Quiz
| Espaņol
![Jenny-Fishing-Boat-2.jpg](http://www.geofflawrence.com/photopost/data/500/thumbs/Jenny-Fishing-Boat-2.jpg ""JENNY"")
