Sunset on Sunflower

Gallery: FloraPosted June 9, 201267 views9 comments

I revisited the large sunflower field for some afternooon light. The new Sony alt 77 with the adjustable tilting viewfinder made this shot possible. These are 7-8 foot sunflowers growing on a field last year that produced nothing due to drought and heat.

A busy scene with butterfly, sunburst and flowers ~ hope you enjoy it....

Sony alt 77
tripod and ball head
cable relase
20mm Minolta f2.8 prime lens
f 16
1/125 sec
ISO 400
handheld

LR 3 raw conversion
pS 5 color, exposure and some clone to leaves

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 9, 2012 at 12:24 PM

Busy but beautiful, it works for me Rick.
I especially like your POV. The sunflowers look even more gigantic as they reach for that lightly clouded sky..
And everything's bigger in Texas of course

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on June 9, 2012 at 4:53 PM

Terrific, Rick. The helter skelter petals look like a free flowing painting. Great up close pov, and love that sunburst.

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

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on June 9, 2012 at 8:22 PM

I love the lighting and sun star captured Rick. You have wonderfully displayed a ton of elements in this image. Super work.
Bob

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on June 10, 2012 at 8:23 AM

Difficult, complex image, but one with many great elements. I like the butterfly. You handled the difficult lighting very well. The starburst is a little bright, but still a good element for the mood of the image. My only suggestion would be to try to open up the dark ULC. Overall, a delightful summer floral image with great colors and an uplifting mood.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 10, 2012 at 4:48 PM

Summer! Bring it on! This image has it all, Rick. Love the POV that gives a view of sky and takes advantage of backlight. I think that's very creative. Also like the sun star that echoes the shape of the flowers. Wonderfully artistic capture.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on June 10, 2012 at 8:57 PM

Rick - Lots going on in the frame - while its commendable, that you handled so many areas of interest so well, I think the butterfly and the sun-burst both compete for attention. Either one might have done the trick for me.

I also kind of wish the ULC was just sky - but yeah..if wishes were horses.

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on June 10, 2012 at 9:14 PM

Sweet! Really creative shot. I agree with the comment to lighten up the ULC a little but it's almost there as is. The butterfly is a cool element but I'm not sure if it actually adds to the comp. maybe because it's size conflicts with the "in your face" proportions of the rest of the image. Still.....all said, it's a definite keeper.

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

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on June 11, 2012 at 4:03 AM

Rick:
I like the unconventional low down POV in this image with this in your face sunflower and blue sky. The backlit on the leaves looks great too. As others have commented, there are lots going on in the image. The BF though nice and sharp looks a little out of place (or rather out of size). Great processing and a definite keeper.

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

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on June 11, 2012 at 6:08 AM

Superbly composed, Rick , full of life ! The backlighting makes for a very original take on these amazing flowers - a glowing image.

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