Forest floor still life

Gallery: FloraPosted June 9, 2011108 views17 comments

This was taken over Memorial Day weekend when we were in the mountains of northern Pa. I took a walk but didn't get very far; I kept stopping to take pictures of the many interesting things on the forest floor. This still life was as nature arranged; I did no altering to the scene other than post processing. Not sure what type of wildflower this is. (It's a Starflower)

Canon Rebel T1i. 90mm macro lens. F/4 for 1/6 sec. ISO 100.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on June 9, 2011 at 6:55 PM

Beautiful image Carolyn. I really like the placement of the flower in the frame but I like the composition of the greenery around it just as well. I like your dof decision but ideally for my tastes, the entire scene would be in sharp focus. I realize that was probably impossible to do in the field. Again, a beautiful image as posted.

pat

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on June 9, 2011 at 8:15 PM

Excellent eye to see the comp here. I assume you used a tripod. The only nit I have is the narrow DOF. Next time, try a smaller focal opening and double the ISO.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 9, 2011 at 11:25 PM

The white flower makes this sing. It would have been excellent with just these great greens, but it adds a layer that takes this to another level.

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

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on June 10, 2011 at 4:37 AM

Perfect placement and nice company.

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on June 10, 2011 at 5:20 AM

I like this.
Well seen and photographed..

JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on June 10, 2011 at 9:58 AM

Isn't it wonderful what is underfoot. I really like this as is Carolyn, wonderfully seen, composed and captured.
Bob

Registered on October 27, 2005, 289 Posts, 4202 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on June 10, 2011 at 10:14 AM

Like very much this composition- Nice setting and perfect DOF- Well done, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on June 10, 2011 at 3:40 PM

Some comments have suggested that more DOF would have been better for this shot. I deliberately wanted the flower sharp and the rest not as sharp. I like it this way but now I'm not sure if it makes a good impression this way or if it would be better to all be sharp. Interested to hear what others think. Thanks all for your input.

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on June 10, 2011 at 7:24 PM

Hi carolyn

The great Ansel Adams made this type of shot all sharp. but had a perfect BG. Was your BG busy? If so..... i agree with your choice. A excellent find, and composition. very nice

Albert Darmo

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

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on June 10, 2011 at 9:15 PM

Carolyn, I am leaning towards the side of more DOF but then I was not there at the scene and as an Artist you call the shots. I really like the plane of focus covering all the petals and most of the Ferns. Dark background also seems to work for me here providing some solid contrast for the vibrant greens.

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 10, 2011 at 10:52 PM

Love the textures. Wonderful composition and dof. This is a great image.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Miro Susta on June 11, 2011 at 8:32 AM

Fresh colours. I like very much the overal three-colour arrangement. Very well done Carolyn.

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on June 11, 2011 at 11:09 AM

Nice shot Carolyn, the flower really jumps off my monitor. A version with more DOF would be good for comparison but I think this is excellent as is. Well done.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Schwarz on June 11, 2011 at 11:21 AM

Beautiful composition and capture. I think you are looking at a star flower. They are currently out in great numbers around the Lake Superior this time of year.

Registered on November 29, 2006, 236 Posts, 1210 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on June 11, 2011 at 11:24 AM

Such a lovely image Carolyn, I love it's simplicity and richness. Great composition.

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on June 13, 2011 at 11:06 AM

Thanks for the ID, Phil!

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on June 14, 2011 at 11:47 AM

I am late Carolyn but I want to say how much I love this photo. The point of the white flowers joins and visually lengthens the diagonal line of the fern, creating a pleasant movement. I like very much, instead, the progressive softness below the subject. It simplify and clean the design and create a feeling of depth. Splendid.
Take care.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments