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Garry Oak Abstract
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Garry Oak Abstract

by Dennis Plank

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted December 2, 201556 views4 comments
While we had freezing nights last week I was thinking about photographing back lit subjects and it occured to me that I might try freezing them in water and photographing the ice sheet with the sky behind it.  My first experiment was to use an old baking sheet about 1/2" deep, fill it about half way with water, set it on the driveway and place a few wet leaves in it.  In the morning I broke a couple of corners from the ice extracting it, but still had usable leaves.  I placed it on an easel I'd knocked together from scrap with the sun backlighting it and blue sky directly behind it.  Note that it's difficult to keep leaf corners from coming out of the water (haven't thought of a fix for that).  Anyhow, this was one of my favorites from that initial try.

5D3, Canon 180mm f/3.5 macro, tripod and cable release, f/16, 1/60, iso400, aperture priority, pattern metering.  Processed in LR5 & CS6.  Full frame.  Taken November 26th at 8:26 am.

I really appreciate your comments on the frosted fern image and look forward to your thoughts on this image.

Thanks,

Comments

4 comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on December 2, 2015 at 8:45 PM
I think this came out pretty nice, David. I think the lighting produced some subtle glare. I might try a little more contrast. Otherwise, this looks pretty natural. Kudos on the thought and execution that went into this. 
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on December 3, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Hi  Denniscrying..   Very well  compoosed...    love the form and  color.  and  back light .   like  Scott, wondering  if more contrast  would help to  make it stand out  morecool


Albert Darmo
Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments
Comment posted by Craig Moreau on December 3, 2015 at 12:45 PM
Dennis, great idea here, and I think it's worth exploring further. I love the textures in this, and the backlighting on the leaf is beautiful. I also like that the center of the leaf is less distorted by the ice, while the outside is more distorted. This has the same effect as selective focus.
The only thing I'd like to see is a little more of the upper right ice area. The negative space really helps define the shape, and I feel that piece is too small. Very minor though. I'd love to see more of these types of images!
Registered on April 21, 2015, 64 Posts, 584 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on December 3, 2015 at 7:57 PM
This is a lovely collection of textures and contrasting colors, Dennis. 
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments