Dahlia 3

Gallery: FloraPosted September 10, 2014205 views11 comments

Hi all.

This is another view of the same dahlia that I posted for Dahlia 2. These are so dark that I spent at least a half an hour each cleaning up the dust spots and pollen spots on them. They seemed worth it.

The biggest question that I have with dahlias is where to compose the shot in relation to petal tips. Hopefully I did not clip off too many important ones here. It is always tricky to try to avoid back ground showing and maximize the amount of the bloom while avoiding clipping petal tips.

Hopefully the center is not too light on this one. I need to work on the levels some, but last night when I did it seemed to darken the whole shot too much.

Any and all thoughts appreciated.

Nathan

Nikon D7000, Sigma 180 macro, tripod, ISO 400, f11

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on September 10, 2014 at 5:04 PM

Nathan, I think that the presentation of the dahlia is very impressive for the unusual display of the petals and the nice colors. I also love the contrast of the lights.
Cheers.

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

Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on September 10, 2014 at 7:50 PM

On this one, I'm thinking I want to see the middle of the bloom more in focus. Still a great photo, nonetheless.

Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Cothran on September 10, 2014 at 7:54 PM

This is magnificent. And the flower seems to possess its own built-in vignetting.

Registered on December 5, 2012, 31 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on September 10, 2014 at 8:46 PM

Thanks Guys.

Ronald, I wish the same thing too. Unfortunately, I was dealing with a really bothersome breeze that day. I should have pushed the ISO up another few notches so that I could have shot at f16 at least.

Nathan

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

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on September 10, 2014 at 9:09 PM

Nathan - I thought only I had this problem. They sure are dark and takes a while specially if the pollen grains are stuck to the edges.

Awesome details at the center petals/sepals which is rendered really sharp and I like that slight angle to the center (may be my mind playing games) which makes as if the center is oriented around the 7'o clock position.

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

Comment posted by Ken Smith on September 12, 2014 at 2:05 AM

This is one of my favorite comps in terms of colors and shape in the frame…great job. Esp like the large view…it grabs you …gets right in your face. No nits from me. Excellent!

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on September 12, 2014 at 3:51 PM

A powerful composition, Nathan, with some spectacular lighting. I guess, like Ronald, ( and I note you've responded already to the comment ) I'd like a touch more dof, but this still works pretty well for me.

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on September 13, 2014 at 6:10 PM

Nathan: Can't recall ever seeing this comp with a dahlia before. Excellent DOF/POF choice. 2+ thumbs up! >=))>

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on September 15, 2014 at 11:08 PM

Superb, Nathan. No problem with the dof for me, and your focus is right where is should be.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on September 16, 2014 at 3:30 PM

Hi Nathan

Love the bold colors and fine detail where needed.. excellent work

Albert Darmo
Canada

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

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on October 11, 2014 at 11:51 PM

Beautiful shot. This is very subjective but if I had my druthers I'd dial back the saturation somewhat because the texture of the flower itself is perhaps more impressive than the color.

lucy

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