Complementary Colors

Gallery: FloraPosted May 9, 2010107 views17 comments

Sony A700
Minolta 200mm macro
ISO 200, 1/250 @ f11

Taking a short break from wildflowers to post a shot or two from the Mercer Arboretum yesterday. I liked the juxtaposition of the day lily and delphinium with the color contrast. Since I don't do stacking I did have a DOF quandary. I wanted the day lily sharp throughout and would also have liked the delphinium sharp as well but in the f22 version (see first comment) I don't like the impact on the BG. Have you any preference for either and if so why? All comments welcome.>=))>

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on May 9, 2010 at 1:57 PM

Here's the f22 version.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on May 9, 2010 at 2:14 PM

Bill, I like the f11 image better just because I like softer backgrounds. I do love the contrasting colors very much.

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Duff on May 9, 2010 at 3:25 PM

The naturally pleasing yellow/blue combo works very well. The yellow daylily being the feature focal point has fabulous detail and sharpness.You can almost reach into the shot and feel the texture of the day lily. Having said all that (bla bla bla

) I like the f11 shot best and you might even try a slight blur on the background to excentuate the day lily even more. Trying to get delphinium sharper doesn't buy you too much since it is not as fresh/crisp as the day lily and you perhaps will confuse the viewer (that would be me

)

Registered on April 21, 2010, 160 Posts, 1675 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on May 9, 2010 at 3:39 PM

I definitely like it at F-11, just because I really like the softer BG, just my personal preference, anyway, beautiful color and very nice detail in the day lily. Beautifully presented Bill.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on May 9, 2010 at 6:53 PM

I prefer the bg in the F/11 shot Bill but I prefer the F/22 image overall. For my tastes there's enough detail in the delph at F/11 to make it distracting, if the day lily is really the subject and not the day lily delph combo then, I'd probably have tried to open the f/stop some more and maybe have cropped down from the top to try and get a sharp lily with a blurred cut delph.

Even with the bg starting to intrude at f/22 I like sharpness in the combined subject. Beautiful colors together.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on May 9, 2010 at 7:49 PM

Bill, If I had to choose between the 2, I'd go for the F/11 overall. But naturally the F/22 does show more details in the subject matter. May be a good idea to check out focus stacking. I hear a lot of good things about Zerene lately.

Love the complimentary colors and the super details

Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Southard on May 9, 2010 at 8:49 PM

Bill, really nice color combo and great detail in the yellows. As to preference, I'll go with the first image because of the BG. Ideally, I'd take the BG of the first with the flowers of the second. But as you've already mentioned, therein lies the dilemma.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 258 Posts, 3892 Comments

Comment posted by Miro Susta on May 10, 2010 at 7:28 AM

IMO the first (F11) is a bit better. Excellent details of the yellow flower vs. softer BG is the right solution. Well done Bill.

Registered on August 18, 2006, 719 Posts, 3736 Comments

Comment posted by denise ippolito on May 10, 2010 at 8:18 AM

Beautiful color combo and great details.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on May 10, 2010 at 10:09 AM

Beautiful shot Bill. Personally I agree with you about the bg in the second one. The first shot even though the delphinium is a bit soft adds to the overall image placing the emphasis on the main front day lily. Love the contrast of color which adds well to the blue bg in the back.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on May 10, 2010 at 5:56 PM

I prefer the first one posted Bill, just for the softer BG. For me, having the delphinium blurred is not a bad thing. Great colors for sure.

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Duval on May 10, 2010 at 7:51 PM

A vote for f/22 the bg is blurred fine enough for my taste, I actually appreciate the hint of defintion. I can determine what the background is without it intruding on the two flowers.

Paul

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments

Comment posted by Jeffrey Mitchell on May 10, 2010 at 8:44 PM

Wonderful detail and color, Bill. I will take either one for my portfolio, but if you will give me only one, make mine the f/11, please.

Registered on April 7, 2005, 171 Posts, 1106 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on May 10, 2010 at 10:30 PM

Hi Bill

When i first saw the two captures, I liked the first one better. And after reading the comments, I'm glad everyone agrees. To me the star of the show[the day lily] should not have competition

The delphinium should remain in the B.G. ..... Beautiful color combinations and detail.
Albert Darmo Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on May 11, 2010 at 3:57 AM

Bill:
I vote for the F11 image and my mind can only handle one thing at a time. Have too many things in focus can be confusing (at least for me).

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Gallo on May 11, 2010 at 7:29 AM

Hello Bill,

I like the f/22 version myself as it shows more textures in the day lily, the beautiful colors make either one work here

Registered on September 14, 2005, 182 Posts, 1471 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on May 11, 2010 at 10:22 AM

Amazing color and detail! That yellow against the blue is fantastic. Great dof in the first one to have all of the daylilly in focus against that wonderful background. I like the f11 too.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments