Salsify Seedhead

Gallery: FloraPosted February 17, 2013223 views19 comments

This is my first post to the flora gallery. This lovely seedhead was growing just down the street from my house in field. It's the first time I've ever seen these giant puffballs. I happened to be heading home from shooting birds and things and so I jumped out of my car with my shade umbrella and snapped this one off. When I got home and processed it, it was so lovely and I was really determined to get many more. However, this spur-of-the-moment shot is the best I've produced so far. Isn't that always the way? ;)

Canon Rebel XTi
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto @ 300mm
1/500 at f/8
ISO 400
Handheld
No crop
Minor corrections in PS
July 2012

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on February 17, 2013 at 11:43 AM

Lovely, Jess. If you are like me you will be looking for these and trying different exposure for years. Have fun.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on February 17, 2013 at 11:48 AM

Gorgeous! I love the colors & the highlights on the "spokes"!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on February 17, 2013 at 1:34 PM

This seed never stops inspiring photographers. Another beautiful image.
Take care.

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

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on February 17, 2013 at 1:43 PM

a vision of loveliness that you have captured here. This is a very special photo, that should inspire you to shoot more floral subjects.

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 17, 2013 at 3:56 PM

Hi Jess

Salsify Seedheads are subjects that never fail to fascinate . this image is no exception.

your first post at flora is a great success, you captured the form and color beautifully

Albert Darmo

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on February 17, 2013 at 7:24 PM

Jess, ditto Albert's comment.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on February 17, 2013 at 11:06 PM

I can see why attempts to improve on this did not work out -- how do you improve on perfection?
The composition works so well, with this excellent choice of scale and DOF.

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

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on February 18, 2013 at 1:12 AM

I’m glad I clicked on all photos today, or I might have missed this outstanding work!
Care to share the techs?

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Baker on February 18, 2013 at 4:40 AM

Lovely composition, and a very compelling image, Well Done!

Registered on May 3, 2012, 23 Posts, 64 Comments

Comment posted by Jess Williams on February 18, 2013 at 10:07 AM

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments! I have posted the requested techs.

Registered on February 15, 2013, 17 Posts, 53 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on February 18, 2013 at 12:43 PM

Love these plants! This is a wonderful image, Jess.

I especially like your comp with the more focused parts of the image filling the right side while the left is framed by more indistinct seedheads. Very nice details and great DOF choice. This looks great for handheld and being a spur-of-the-moment shot!

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

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on February 18, 2013 at 1:27 PM

Outstanding Jess. The light, color and pof are spot on. Beautiful presentation.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on February 18, 2013 at 3:01 PM

Just right, Jess. Wonderfully delicate! And welcome to the flora gallery! Do it again!

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

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on February 18, 2013 at 7:02 PM

Jess:

Welcome to flora and what a great first post to open your account here. This is a really fabulous image and reminds me of Ram's winning entry. Love the radiating lines encapsulated by cotton wool borders and the color in bg.

Look forward to more of your post here.

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

Comment posted by Jess Williams on February 19, 2013 at 10:11 AM

I'm overwhelmed by your kind comments. The dandelion shot is leagues ahead of mine; what a generous comparison! Thank you again.

Registered on February 15, 2013, 17 Posts, 53 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 22, 2013 at 11:26 PM

Jess: Welcome to the finest Flora gallery on the planet and thanks for a superior first post. I love to shoot these although its been a long time since I've had the chance. Frame filling fantastic. Great to have you aboard and looking forward to more.>=))>

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

Comment posted by Chris Grabski on February 27, 2013 at 3:21 PM

Beautiful and well deserved WP.

Registered on April 29, 2011, 122 Posts, 431 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on February 28, 2013 at 5:23 PM

Lovely gradation of color and really fine detail. What a wonderful end to a day's shoot!

Also, a hearty welcome to the Flora Forum and to NPN. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 9, 2013 at 5:40 PM

I see you grabbed the WP in flora with your first post there, congrats Jess.
Sometimes those 'spur of the moment" shots surprise & amaze!
And as it should be

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