Lilies of the Valley

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 2, 20171,208 views6 comments

Thank you a lot for your comments on my previous image.
This was taken in a wood called Hyacintenbos closed to The Hague in The Netherlands. This is a special place to see lilies of the valley between April and May. I was attracted by the lights and shadows created by their leaves and the B&W was the way to go. I am looking forward to hear your opinions and thoughts.

Nikon d7000
Nikkor 55mm micro
f16 - 2s- iso 100
tripod and polarizer

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on October 2, 2017 at 12:43 PM

Mattia,

Love this too. I can see myself looking for comps like this - it's challenging and rewarding when you can craft something like this. B&W works beautifully here helping to simplify in to shapes, patters, light and shadow; I believe b&w also help eliminate some things that might be revealed in color, again simplifying things.

The view, the presence of repeating shapes and the lack of a single focal point makes this terrific natural abstract.

There is a delicate softness to the larger view. Not quite sure how to describe it. Many of the leaves, especially the brighter ones have little detail; at least to my eye. I think the presented result is wonderful and not knowing the original file, I can't say whether or not this is something even worth mentioning.

The only minor suggestion I have would be to crop or clone 3 tiny little bright spots along the right edge. Again, minor, but I would clean up if you decide to print.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on October 2, 2017 at 8:44 PM

Wonderful abstract quality, would make a great puzzle. Maybe a tighter crop would be effective too, though difficult to decide where to place the emphasis - so many options. Processing looks great, might clone out a tiny pollen wink

or small white dot left side, leftish corner. Real eye candy, dig it. Agree with Lon's suggestion as well.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on October 2, 2017 at 10:41 PM

Great b&w image. I like the straight down camera angle and the gradation of tones from light to dark on the lilies. I would crop or remove the bright spots on the right as suggested, but I like this one a lot.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on October 3, 2017 at 7:16 PM

A very artistic image. Well seen and well photographed.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on October 3, 2017 at 11:34 PM

Wonderful tones, Mattia. Beautiful black and white. I can see what Lon is saying about the softness of some of the leaves. Having said that, I love the softness which is mirrored by the tones. Sweet image.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 4, 2017 at 5:12 PM

Mattia, This is really wonderful. You did an excellent job with the composition and I love the processing on this one. The large version is super cool. Like this alot!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments