Anita's Photoblog
Orchid Closeup
Posted by Anita (West Nottingham, United States) on 11 March 2009 in Plant & Nature.
It looks to me as if I lost detail in the yellow and white fuzzy part of the image. I wonder if this overexposed?
Longwood Gardens is having an Orchid extravaganza in their Conservatory. Here is one of my attempts at capturing the beauty of these challenging to photograph flowers.
Two of my photos, Chinese Hibiscus and Moon, Sycamore and Barn will be in another (!) show opening this Friday at Eagle Galleryin Lionville, PA. You are invited! See About, below, for more information.
The show at Oxford Arts Alliance continues through March 29. See About below for hours.
*****THANK YOU FOR VISITING ANITA'S PHOTOBLOG!*****
I welcome your honest critique, especially if they will improve my photography.
If I have made a mistake in a flower identification, please let me know!
A few words about the EXIF data, beginning in April when I began using Nikon D300 and the Sigma 105mm macro: My new camera and macro lens record the relative or effective f stop, not the one seen on the lens. For an explanation of this, go to the next to the last question at this site.
Mary from Exton, United States
I agree, It does have a feeling of velvet... Lovely image Anita!!!
11 Mar 2009 11:22am
Sue from Paducah, United States
Perfectly composed, allowing the viewer to absorb the luscious detail of the velvety smooth "mouth like" part of the orchid as well as enjoying the graceful lines of the petals radiating away.
11 Mar 2009 12:16pm
António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal
You may be right about the the overexposure of yellows and whites, or they lack contrast in a way that we cannot see the detail.
11 Mar 2009 2:16pm
Chris from South Jersey, United States
I think the detail is fine, and those colors are amazing.....maybe I need to find some time to get to Longwood.....
11 Mar 2009 3:47pm
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
so beautiful orchids are my favourite flower
11 Mar 2009 9:09pm
edvatza from Lehigh Valley, PA, United States
Good morning, Anita. I know this orchid well having tried to photograph it myself multiple times at Longwood. For some reason, every image looks overexposed in the whites and yellows. Your image looks better than any of mine but still has lost details in the white and yellow. Also, Anita, it looks like it may be oversharpened as there appears to be a halo around the edges of the center area. Still, a very nice image.
12 Mar 2009 10:34am
Betty from New Jersey, United States
The colors are so beautiful, excellent macro!
12 Mar 2009 1:04pm
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
I do love the colors. As far as overexposure goes, what did your Histogram say?
12 Mar 2009 2:38pm
@Laurie: That is a good question. It did not show over-exposure.
Jen from St. George, United States
Wow! This is how is supposed to be done! Just stunning! Love the composition, love the clarity, love the tight crop! Beautiful!
12 Mar 2009 8:46pm
@Jen: Jen: It is interesting to see how we each approached Orchids a bit differently. I would have loved to have had a dark background, as you did. Since the BG was cluttered, I got in close.
jim from sebastopol, United States
an orchid extravaganza sounds like sensory overload to me! i love orchids and grow a few but my attempts to shoot them have been quite unrewarding.. especially wheni am trying to capture that transluscent irridescent quality that some of them possess... it just doesn't happen ! jim
13 Mar 2009 3:08am
David R. Ross from Bryn Mawr, PA, United States
In most things, I'm a fan of symmetry (which many orchids exhibit). But, as I've come back to this photo over the past few days, I've come to admire your choice. It allows one to admire the drama of the flower's heart while giving equal weight to the delightful velvety curves of the petal. Interesting that the challenges you faced seem common to orchid shots.
13 Mar 2009 9:12am
Paul Michko from Exton, PA, United States
Gorgeous and with so much detail, Anita. Excellent job.
13 Mar 2009 10:30am
Konica Minolta MAXXUM 5D
5/2 seconds
F/32.0
ISO 100
150 mm (35mm equiv.)