Mushroom in Directional Lighting

Gallery: FloraPosted December 11, 20034,444 views14 comments

This photo is a result of experimenting with various combinations and positions of lighting. For this I waited until a cloud moved overhead, used diffused off-camera flash for frontal fill and a rather powerful flashlight to illuminate the gills from below.

Equipment used: Canon D30, 100-400IS @170mm, ISO 400, f11, 1/160 sec., -1 compensation, tripod and cable shutter release.

All comments and suggestions appreciated!

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Jim Erhardt on December 11, 2003 at 9:08 PM

The "warm" light on the gills works well IMO. Some may say it doesn't look natural, but the detail it brings out puts it over the top.

I like it!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 245 Posts, 2421 Comments

Comment posted by Klaus Bombach on December 12, 2003 at 2:17 AM

A wonderful experiment with light. Looks like a mushroom from a magic wald in my childhood. The composition is also great. It works very well for me.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 103 Posts, 430 Comments

Comment posted by Peter den Hartog on December 12, 2003 at 7:02 AM

I think this is more than excellent. Great and very exiting shot.

I can't find a way to improve this a bit...

Cheers

Peter

Registered on November 11, 2003, 28 Posts, 222 Comments

Comment posted by Justin on December 12, 2003 at 8:19 AM

Very clever use of lighting has produced a very successful image.
Congratulations on a different and a VERY fine shot.

Look forward to seeing some more.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 106 Posts, 1697 Comments

Comment posted by David Gottlieb on December 12, 2003 at 9:08 AM

You should have waited for the Elf that must live here.This does have a magical quality..very creative and well executed

Registered on November 1, 2003, 436 Posts, 1790 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Edwardes on December 12, 2003 at 9:42 AM

Excellent use of light - it works very well indeed.
Composition is a little too tight at the base for me though.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 45 Posts, 279 Comments

Comment posted by John Fortner on December 12, 2003 at 10:42 AM

Very cool Betty. Was it your assistant holding the flashlight or was it just lying on the ground? I think I would crop off some of the top of this one, just above the horizontal branch coming across the frame.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 15 Posts, 146 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Kemmerlin on December 12, 2003 at 3:16 PM

Hi Betty,

I love this one, the BG is so moody and the light on the mushroom is perfect.

Robert

Registered on November 7, 2003, 2 Posts, 11 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on December 12, 2003 at 7:39 PM

Betty,

Beautiful image! The bottom lighting really adds a nice glow to the underside of the mushroom. I wouldn't crop any off the top, looks perfect as is. Very impressive work.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Whelan on December 12, 2003 at 10:56 PM

I like the light, and the background is great. Lovely image!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 35 Posts, 116 Comments

Comment posted by Edwin Brosens on December 13, 2003 at 9:43 AM

excellent, great light and BG

Registered on November 1, 2003, 60 Posts, 593 Comments

Comment posted by Marcos Veiga on December 28, 2003 at 7:33 AM

Excellent shot, lovely light.

Marcos Veiga
Spain
<a href="http://www.marcosveiga.com" target="_blank">Marcos Veiga</a>

Registered on December 28, 2003, 0 Posts, 21 Comments

Comment posted by Paula Graham on December 30, 2003 at 4:51 PM

Beautiful and dreamy shot, Betty.
I love the light and composition and yes, childhood stories of fairies and toadstools came bubbling up!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 34 Posts, 902 Comments

Comment posted by William Brozy on January 11, 2004 at 11:32 AM

Betty - I had to come back to this! This is fantastic and my choice for flora image of the year - I just love this image!!!

Registered on November 9, 2003, 559 Posts, 2929 Comments