Apple Blossom

WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
edited September 1, 2011 in Other Cool Shots
3DSC2550-Edit-XL.jpg

Thanks for looking,
Werner
http://wernerg.smugmug.com/

Comments

  • jirojiro Registered Users Posts: 1,865 Major grins
    edited May 22, 2011
    Amazing, Werner. It's as if I'm just looking directly at the flower in your garden. You've mastered this kind of post-processing, Sir. Well done. thumb.gifthumbthumb.gifthumbthumb.gifclap.gifclapclap.gifclapclap.gifbowdown.gif
    Sitting quietly, doing nothing. Spring comes and the grass grows by itself.

    http://imagesbyjirobau.blogspot.com/
    http://500px.com/williebau
  • rbtrbt Registered Users Posts: 171 Major grins
    edited May 22, 2011
    Great detail and color
  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,955 moderator
    edited May 23, 2011
    rbt wrote: »
    Great detail and color
    15524779-Ti.gifthumb.gif
    My Pics
  • WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
    edited May 23, 2011
    jiro wrote: »
    Amazing, Werner. It's as if I'm just looking directly at the flower in your garden.....

    Thank you Jiro.

    and thank you rbt and Richard.
    Werner
    http://wernerg.smugmug.com/
  • chuck54chuck54 Registered Users Posts: 70 Big grins
    edited May 23, 2011
    Excellent work.
    Illegitimus Non Carborundum
  • EiaEia Registered Users Posts: 3,627 Major grins
    edited May 23, 2011
    I agree... It looks live as though I am looking at the real thing. It looks a little 3 D. Wow!
    ~AnnaMaria~ My little life in God's big universe
  • WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
    edited May 23, 2011
    Thank you for your comments, Eia and Chuck
    Werner
    http://wernerg.smugmug.com/
  • AzzaroAzzaro Registered Users Posts: 5,643 Major grins
    edited May 23, 2011
    Beautifulclap.gif
  • WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
    edited May 23, 2011
    Azzaro wrote: »
    Beautifulclap.gif

    Thank you Azzaro, I'm glad you liked it. I've always enjoyed your photographs from Arizona.
    Werner
    http://wernerg.smugmug.com/
  • Ed911Ed911 Registered Users Posts: 1,306 Major grins
    edited May 28, 2011
    This is a very nice shot. One of the best flower shots that I've seen. Nice post processing. It looks like an HDR...yes?
    Remember, no one may want you to take pictures, but they all want to see them.
    Educate yourself like you'll live forever and live like you'll die tomorrow.

    Ed
  • black mambablack mamba Registered Users Posts: 8,323 Major grins
    edited May 28, 2011
    Outstanding work, Werner. clap.gif That's a wall-hanger for sure.thumb.gif

    Tom
    I always wanted to lie naked on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace. Cracker Barrel didn't take kindly to it.
  • WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
    edited May 28, 2011
    Ed911 wrote: »
    This is a very nice shot. One of the best flower shots that I've seen. Nice post processing. It looks like an HDR...yes?

    Thanks Ed and Tom, It is one exposure but I used a remoted flash to separate the background and flower bud exposures. The background is exposed 2 stops under. After that it's tone curves, an inverted USM for fine contrast and then sharpening. I did purposely keep the highlights (the flower petals) about 1 stop below white to preserve the details and texture of the petals.
    Werner
    http://wernerg.smugmug.com/
  • Carmelo75Carmelo75 Registered Users Posts: 232 Major grins
    edited May 29, 2011
    Amazing exposure and PP, and very professional use of the flashes! The 3D effect you gave to the flower is outstanding! clap.gifclapclap.gif

    Andrea.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/carmelo75
  • WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
    edited May 29, 2011
    Thank you, Andrea. I forgot to mention that I also used a Flashbender to spread and soften the light from the flash.
    Werner
    http://wernerg.smugmug.com/
  • lifeinfocuslifeinfocus Registered Users Posts: 1,461 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2011
    WernerG wrote: »
    Thanks Ed and Tom, It is one exposure but I used a remoted flash to separate the background and flower bud exposures. The background is exposed 2 stops under. After that it's tone curves, an inverted USM for fine contrast and then sharpening. I did purposely keep the highlights (the flower petals) about 1 stop below white to preserve the details and texture of the petals.

    Beautiful photo. I came upon this post searching for comments on the FlashBender. What size Flashbender did you use - Large, Small or Bendable?

    I wonder if you could explain in a little more depth how you did this as I am little confused.

    You say it is one exposure but in your explanation you mention the background is exposed 2 stops under. I suppose this was done in post processing that is apparently a little more advanced than my knowledge base.

    I searched for the term "inverted USM" but could not find its meaning. Could you explain please?

    I take lots of daylily photos and I suspect I could apply some of the post processing you mention above, but I am ignorant of the processes.

    Thanks, Phil
    http://www.PhilsImaging.com
    "You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
    Phil
  • WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
    edited August 31, 2011
    lifeinfocus wrote: »
    Beautiful photo. I came upon this post searching for comments on the FlashBender. What size Flashbender did you use - Large, Small or Bendable?

    I have the large flashbender used on an SB-600. (the large fb is really too heavy for the SB-600, it folds the hinge too easily and the wrap-around velcro doesn't wrap tight enough. It is designed for larger sized flashes.

    I wonder if you could explain in a little more depth how you did this as I am little confused.

    You say it is one exposure but in your explanation you mention the background is exposed 2 stops under. I suppose this was done in post processing that is apparently a little more advanced than my knowledge base.

    I set flash to remote and Nikon D90 in "Commander Mode". I turn down the onboard flash -3 EV on the Commander set up screen. (the on board flash has to be on to talk to the remote flash with IR but I don't want much light on the subject from it). The remote flash is usually at 0 or +/-1 EV. I shoot in manual mode, exposure set anywhere from -2 to -4 EV (exposure compensation set to zero, I don't really understand all the various compensation interactions, there could be at least 5 competing compensations at play here). This sets the background exposure. Take a few test shots with flash off to verify the background. Try to set the remote flash to light the subject and miss the background. The fb helps here. You can twist it to help keep the flash off the background. The camera has to be in Matrix Metering mode. It will then adjust the remote flash to properly expose the subject only.

    I searched for the term "inverted USM" but could not find its meaning. Could you explain please?

    I'm not sure that it is the right term but high radius/low amount USM is often used to create local contrast. On flowers it helps bring out petal textures. Once the parameters are set I blend the strength into the image using Capture-NX2's Opacity Blender (same as PS's layer blend). It is very easy to overdo this. I look back on this image now after 4 months and I'm not sure that I didn't.

    I take lots of daylily photos and I suspect I could apply some of the post processing you mention above, but I am ignorant of the processes.

    Hope this helps.
    Werner
    http://wernerg.smugmug.com/
  • marionetmarionet Registered Users Posts: 382 Major grins
    edited August 31, 2011
    Wow, that's beautiful! Thanks for your info to lifeinfocus.
  • WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
    edited August 31, 2011
    Thank you Marionet. I should have mentioned that if a flower is in sunlight, I usually use a translucent photographer's umbrella to shade the flower. I don't think I needed it for this shot.
    Werner
    http://wernerg.smugmug.com/
  • DaddyODaddyO Registered Users Posts: 4,466 Major grins
    edited September 1, 2011
    You always do such a great job with the tough whites thumb.gif Excellent use of tools and one heck of really nice result.
    Michael
  • WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
    edited September 1, 2011
    Thank you Michael.
    Werner
    http://wernerg.smugmug.com/
  • marionetmarionet Registered Users Posts: 382 Major grins
    edited September 1, 2011
    WernerG wrote: »
    ... if a flower is in sunlight, I usually use a translucent photographer's umbrella to shade the flower. I don't think I needed it for this shot.
    :) I don't think you did, either, but it's a great idea; I'll have to try that, seems like it would move shooting flowers to another plateau.

    I tried your method of USM - lol, never thought of that - and so far it works really well.
  • WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
    edited September 1, 2011
    marionet wrote: »
    :) I tried your method of USM - lol, never thought of that - and so far it works really well.

    Be careful with USM local contrast; wait a day or two and look at it again before you decide you're done. It can look good on the monitor, but if overdone, it can obliterate fine texture.
    Werner
    http://wernerg.smugmug.com/
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