Flower photography

First & foremost I photograph people..........that is how I make a living. However, I am also interested in another subject, flowers.

Cheers,

Paul

sorry......see below

I am gonna get the hang of this....

I like the dramatic color and basic composition. Did you do any post work on it? The blur/boke feels uneven to my eyes which is why I ask.

Myself, I shoot flowers regularly (wildflowers make for good random compositional practice) but rarely show them if they do not have insects on them.

enjoy your day,

Sean

Hi Sean,

no work other than levels adjustment. Massive blur is due to the shallow depth of field.

Cheers,

Paul

Hi Paul,

O.K., you have my attention. Is there a title, a context or are we supoposed to work it out with what you have given us. So we can presume that tihs started with a photograph of a flower?

Then you made a lot of changes. One thing you might check is whether or not you are out of gamut for the printer you might use?

I'm not sure that it could be printed on an Epson printer.

In any case, it is an impressive picture. I can't yet say I like it. There is some posterization, but not excessively.

This, if printable could be very impressive large, but, as yet, I have no opinion as to whether I'd like it. My impulse is to say no. However, that initial reaction has to be put aside. First I need to return to the image and see what it means to me a second time. Also if you provide context and/ title, then I may be better off, or perhaps not.

You might have decided not to limit the frame of reference by giving a title. That is fine. But then I may not understand it. However, that really is not important, as long as it calls you.

Intrigued,

Asher

Flower #1

Hi Asher,

I am flattered that the image has your attention.
OK, title .....Flower #1. This is the image as shot. No post production work other than a small levels adjusment which would account for the slight posterization.
It prints beautifully on my Epson 4800 on Hahnamuhle photo rag paper. I also have it printed 30"x20" on metallic paper & that looks gorgeous framed.
I have seen many flower photos & to be honest, while I appreciate the beauty portrayed I want more.
If I can see the same thing in a field or a vase then I want to know what the photographer has done other than made a record of what they see. Valid but uninspiring (for me)
My approach is to make a new thing...........create doubt, questions. I made 17 images in total, all of which I had printed 20"x30" & framed. I removed all the portraits from my studio & hung the flowers & went from portrait studio to gallery. Being at street level with huge windows it made for an impressive display. I priced them at $1250 & sold five. Many observers (most actually) thought they were paintings. It is impossible to fully appreciate them here in this format but I am very pleased with your response. Perhaps I should post Flower #2......

Best to all.

Paul

Hi Paul,

All of a sudden, I like what you say....

Any chance you could post the original image (even a thumbnail)? Trying to guess what the flower may have been.

Don't you need to add them to your www site, but maybe not?

Best wishes,

Ray

Paul Bestwick said:

no work other than levels adjustment. Massive blur is due to the shallow depth of field.

Click to expand...

Hi Paul,

Looking at the image again, I would suggest looking at using Curves rather than Levels. The reason I say this is the area that looks off to my eyes is the blue to green gradients look noisier (different feeling to the boke) than the other gradients which are quite smooth. Smoothing out that tonal transition might change how the image feels.

Or perhaps simply using less compression on the web JPEG would make a difference.

Albeit, this is neither right nor wrong, just simply a data point where something felt off to my eyes. I have no answers, only questions.

enjoy your day,

Sean

Paul,

I'm still impressed, even after sleeping! Sean's "curves" suggestion would give you more control on the transitons. In any case, you have captivated people enough for them to put down good cash.

That's even better. A pity I can't just pop over to see the actual prints in person.

I might get some better appeciation as time goes on.

I'd love to see the originals and their siblings shot at the same time and then the renderings.

Congrats,

Asher

I can't see the picture! Am I missing something ? (obviously =)

unfortunately the originals once modified were discarded. In hindsight an eroneous practice which has since ceased.
Here is another.



Cheers,

Paul

What's the menbraine in the left upper split?

Again impressed! I see a style.

Want more.

asher

Flower #3

Hey Asher............here is another

Paul

Paul, ... with the first image, I really do not see any problems with the transitions between the blue and green.
Looks wonderful here on the monitor I am working with right now.
I have been working with floral images for a number of years now, and many times you can get those funky halos, etc. showing up and one may wonder what is causing it.
Posterization, ... maybe. Sort of hard to tell but still, ... it looks fine to me!
You will also be amazed at what types of "glow/halo" you will get when doing up close floral abstracts.
If you have some petals that has moisture in them, and that layered "diamond dusting" texture, mixed in with good/bright lighting, and a colorful flower on top of that, that "glow/halo" will stand out while shooting. Many do not notice it until the viewing on screen.
Those were my first thoughts when viewing this piece.
And, ... I hybridized flowers for a number of years, and have a feel now for what certain types of flowers will give the photographer when certain conditions are present.
Most of the time, ... it is a very cool thing to work with!

Glad to see you are earning something from these.
I have found out that the clients are really getting into the richly colored abstracts, ... which keeps me busy, ... and the wife happy!!

Keep shooting these Paul. I like what I am seeing!

Michael,

I just found this on your wonderful website



So there's magic in these flowers!

These flowers certainly look like cousins in design!

Asher

Thanks Asher! Appreciate the kind comments.

There is a bit of a story behind that image, and a slight hint about things that I am working on.
There have been numerous requests for that image, one that I am reluctant to release at this time.
We have been kicking around a idea for a book, ... one that we have researched and have yet to find anything like it, ... and everyone seems to think that this image above would be perfect to kick it off with.
I think so too!

Here is a bit of info on this image and another one, which may give an idea of where I am going with this series.

"The Story Behind The Image"

And also, ... I think that this particular flower offers more opportunities than any other flower as far as rich colors and abstracts.
When the flower petals is literally filled with water on the inside, and you have early morning light, sometimes the light coming through the flower petals gives an absolutely unreal blast of rich colors.
Love that!

Again Asher, ... many thanks!

Hey Michael,

thanks for your comments....always appreciate positive feedback. I am also getting material together for a book, that is why I have limited what I have posted here.....don't want to show too much yet !!!
Asher the membrane you saw in the poppy is exactly that. It covers the interior & breaks apart as the flower opens.m Gods creation........perfect packaging.

Cheers,

Paul

That is one very cool looking shot of the poppy, Paul!

If I posted that one my blog/journal, ... well, ... let's just say that some would have seen something more "sexual" in nature than others would have!! : )

Sensual!

Asher