Columbine

Gallery: FloraPosted August 24, 201184 views14 comments

This is a flower I've had on my list to shoot for quite some time, but it's not easily found in central Illinois. I was excited when I found it growing in abundance literally outside the door during vacation in Door County Wisconsin this summer. This was taken in Whitefish Dunes State Park on a calm evening.

Wish I could have gotten a little more DOF, but the background vegetation was getting kind of intrusive. Guess it's time to start trying my hand at stacking...!

Pentax K-7; f/7.1, 1/25 sec, ISO-400; Tamron 90mm

Thanks for taking the time to look, C&C appreciated.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Anne K. Rusk on August 24, 2011 at 10:35 PM

These are really difficult to get enough DOF, not to mention how "fluttery" they are with the slightest breeze! I like this image a great deal, but I do wish there was separation between all the points at the top. Great angle of the flower and the sharpness on the stem is awesome.

Registered on October 10, 2010, 65 Posts, 904 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on August 24, 2011 at 10:39 PM

Derek, Since the petal has "folded' on itself, the lack of depth of field is not quite apparent but yes would have been nicer but not a deal breaker. That is indeed the biggest challenge in shooting this Columbine. I love the overall sharpness and the background.

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

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on August 24, 2011 at 10:39 PM

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

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on August 24, 2011 at 10:57 PM

That background is worth sacrificing some DOF. The parts of the flower that are in focus are so sharp that the OOF parts are not so noticeable. I am starting to use stacking, too, but for this species, I have just tried to find flowers with lots of space between them and the background because they usually seem to be moving in three directions at once.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on August 24, 2011 at 11:13 PM

Derek: Your DOF works for me and the BG is excellent. Wonderful isolation and a fine portrait. >=))>

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

Comment posted by Paul Duval on August 24, 2011 at 11:21 PM

What for Derek, when you can get an image like this. Sweet...

Paul

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

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on August 25, 2011 at 2:46 AM

Derek:
Real nice. Good bg separation and DOF is acceptable. The stem is wonderful.

Did you use a polariser? The reflection from the two petals is a little distracting but not a deal breaker.

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

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on August 25, 2011 at 10:19 AM

Beautiful, simple and natural, Derek ! Yes, maybe a touch more dof might have been good but not at the expense of that bg ! Overall, the flower is beautifully sharp and the odd oof bits do not bother me. Lovely colouring and fine composition.

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on August 25, 2011 at 2:47 PM

The DOF works pretty well for me Derek. The colors and BG are great. Some of the yellows appear close to being blown out, but they are not so far gone that they hurt the image for me.

Nathan

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on August 25, 2011 at 3:35 PM

Dof is where it's needed imo. Lovely pastels and I like the comp.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Myers on August 25, 2011 at 4:52 PM

I'd say you've captured a very nice image here. There are so many areas of fine sharpness that the oof places are not calling attention to themselves. Well-done.

Registered on September 1, 2008, 85 Posts, 757 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 25, 2011 at 5:09 PM

I like the vibrant color, nice background and sharp pof on the filaments. Beautiful shot.

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on August 25, 2011 at 8:30 PM

Beautiful colors and very fine detail Derek. I've got no problem with your dof decision at all. Don't think you could ask for a better supporting bg and I certainly wouldn't have wanted to compromise it. Outstanding photography.

pat

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on August 27, 2011 at 9:31 AM

Great eye Derek, this is well seen and beautifully presented. I think your DOF is just fine and really like the detail and excellent colors captured. The OOF BG helps show this fellow off wonderfully!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments