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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 139 - Vivid >> Eligible > 10th: Flowers
by Rod
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11-AUG-2007 Rod

10th: Flowers
by Rod

Kitchen Brissie Oz


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Rod 14-Aug-2007 10:42
Thanks Maurice:-)
Maurice Allain13-Aug-2007 20:52
Rod that extra work, really enhances this image. The whole thing glows, bringing out even more detail through the petals! very inspiring!
Rod 13-Aug-2007 10:29
Definitely, it adds warmth Tommy.
ctfchallenge12-Aug-2007 13:31
You've done the torch thing before with a guitar as I recall. Mixing light sources can produce interesting effects. Could it be the torch is adding some warmth because of its lower color temperature compared with the sunlight coming from the window? -tv
Rod 12-Aug-2007 06:49
Thanks Tommy for taking a second look as I thought I may have over estimated the subtle tension I thought was in the shot & you have encapsulated my intent really well. Normally I just take what I think looks right in my viewfinder which also happened here but I did go the extra yards with this shot. The scientific term you're looking for as to what the center of the flower is called is known as "the middle bit":-) I took my exposure on the backlit petals & locked the exposure then recomposed, I then clicked the shutter & during the 3 sec exposure I shone a small torch (flashlight) onto & around the middle bit to bring it up to compete with the prominence of the backlit petals. The front flower is what helps to make this shot work for me so I'm really glad that worked for you too. I had to dodge & burn in the center to give it some contrast until it seemed right. The flowers were placed in front of our kitchen window to give the backlight & the only other light was reflected light coming in the window & the small torch.
Thanks Tommy I'm glad you thought this went a tad beyond the pretty as I think the other commenters did too. Thanks again all:-)
ctfchallenge12-Aug-2007 03:00
OK Rod, this is a more serious comment since we didn't give you proper credit for a job very well done. Some day I may try something like this but right now I don't think I'm up to it, technically, that is. Frankly, I'm unsure what you did, but what is clear is that the exposure and focus is as good as it could be. What I find truly marvelous is an incredible competition (hence, tension) between the pedals and the center of the flower (whateveryoucallit). The pedals are so vividly displayed in all their shades of red that they want to dominate the image, but the center is also attention-grabbing in all its precise detail. And the subcurrent here is the shyly placed second flower in front, like a girl peaking from behind her fan. Rod, I see two sides to your work. One is the spontaneous grab shots that we all try be alert for and capture. But this is the more serious second side of your art: the serious, thoughtful studio composition. This one is one of the best 'flower' shots I've seen because it adds a subcurrent that creeps up on the observer. Otherwise it is just beautifully executed, memobable, and on topic. -tv
Rod 11-Aug-2007 23:51
Thanks both:-)
ctfchallenge11-Aug-2007 19:24
This one really works. Good Rodly style and quality. Good specimens too. -tv
Guest 11-Aug-2007 10:47
This does look good. You managed to compose something a little more imaginative than the typical flower shot. All of my girlie pics always come out looking the same.
Rod 11-Aug-2007 09:13
Thanks Doug:-)
ctfchallenge11-Aug-2007 04:14
This is good Rod. Nice to see flowers in a different composition and I think they generally look better back lit as this one does. -COAmature
Rod 11-Aug-2007 02:01
Thanks Troy:-) You made my day.
Guest 11-Aug-2007 01:31
Rod, You topped yourself with this one. It is spectacular. I like the way you keep going and going and going, like the energizer. This is Beautiful.