Bottle Gentian

Gallery: FloraPosted September 12, 201159 views10 comments

Bottle Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii)

I made this image at our local prairie (Lake in the Hills Fen.). Photography in a prairie can be a challenge. What to do with a 6 inch tall flower in two foot tall grass. I decided to just go with it. Fortunately the prairie grass (little bluestem) turns a beautiful maroon in late summer and I think adds to the interest.

Nikon D700; Nikkor 200 mm; 1/125s @f/11, -0.67, ISO 200, tripod

Comments and criticisms always welcome.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on September 12, 2011 at 10:08 AM

This is very nice as presented where you have captured the sense of the flower hidden in the grass. It would also be a strong shot if you had leaned the grass blades that run in front of the flower out of the way.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on September 12, 2011 at 10:36 AM

These are interesting flowers in that they seem to never open fully. I like your comp and lighting in this. I agree with Mark that you could bend the intruding grasses out of the way to give a clear view of the flower but I also like this as is. It protrays the natural setting for this flower.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on September 12, 2011 at 11:59 AM

The in focus blooms anchor the dynamic lines throughout very well. I think it makes for a unique image. It states the old addage, "Bloom where you're planted" quite well.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on September 12, 2011 at 3:57 PM

David,
I love the light and the colors here. I like the natural setting too.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on September 12, 2011 at 5:02 PM

What a neat little hidden gem David. Great vision and capture, I like this as posted.
Bob

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on September 12, 2011 at 6:45 PM

Beautiful image David. I can see why some would object to the blocking grass and I might prefer the image wihout it myself but I like this very much as posted. Sweet light.

pat

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on September 12, 2011 at 10:37 PM

A gorgeous subject and I can appreciate the shooting restrictions with high grasses. I also think if the grass blades in front of the blooms were moved aside it would strengthen this already beautiful image even more.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on September 13, 2011 at 9:08 PM

Hi David

Pat echoed my thoughts. to a letter. Love the color and light

Albert Darmo

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

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on September 13, 2011 at 9:19 PM

David:
The blooms are beautiful. The image is fine as posted but I add my vote for a little environmental tidying up of the fg leaves.

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

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on September 15, 2011 at 5:53 PM

Fine shot. Agree with Mark about the strands in front being a little distracting. But I like the colors & textures of the grass at bottom right at lot.

lucy

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments