Okay... So this may not have too much to do with a book I am reading, with water, light or any other of our previous themes. I just like it so thought I would chuck it up for shredding. Any input would be appreciated. Let me kick off ... Does anyone else get annoyed by the phone line at bottom left of the frame? Ooooo... that p/shop stamp is screaming to be used! Technical details: f22 at 1/250th, fill in flash from camera mounted flash at full power, but angled upwards and bounced off the internal diffuser (No Jackie, and no Jackie's Dad to hold additional flashes and deflectors :). By using fill flash and by working closely I was able to under expose the back ground, giving detail in the clouds. There was very little p/shopping: a tweak of the levels and a WHOLE bunch of spot healing! Damn that dust of the devils loins!
Paul
5 comments:
Mmm, conditions were not great for this shot were they? I know its a cliché, but this type of shot calls out for blue skies and Simpsons clouds. Given you didn't have that I think the contrast you have created with the fill flash is pretty good. My only concern is the composition, not entirely sure what you were tying to do?
Neil.
Though its risky, I disagree with Neil's comments. I like the grey skies/sunny sunflower effect and the composition. It breaks the mold and creates the impression that while all is sunny on the surface, something nasty is brewing. By having the sunflower looking out of the frame rather than into it as would be expected the dismal sky plays more of a role in the image - becomes a part of the picture rather than just a pretty backdrop.
Hah, I also get to disagree with 'chocolate box' Neil (heehee). I really like this photograph. Yes Neil has a point if he's referring to this as a stock image, but as an image on it's own (Art's for Art's sake) it's pretty powerful I think. I also agree with Jackie (that's her post prior to this) about the image breaking the mold...there's something almost sinister about it...or is it hopeful? you know, bright yellow flower facing the oncoming storm?
As for the clone, hmmm, the age old question again. If it's journalism no, if it's stock definitely (if you don't the editor will in any case), if it's art does it matter? For that matter, did you notice it when you shot the image? If not, the image you wanted to create didn't have the powerline (I'm using the argument of recreating what 'you saw', not what was physically there).
E
Yay! Thanks to those who picked up on the impending gloom and sinister elements in this image. That is exactly what I was going for, specifically as a response to the cliched stuff that Neil mentioned. Other elements that I thought might add to the 'dark-side' of this image, as noted by Jackie, was the framing of the flower (outwards etc). Also the beetles eating the plant, twisted leaves and dark background field that doesn't compete with the main flower. Oh... and aren't sunflowers suppossed to follow the sun i.e be facing it?
As for the phone pole... Yes I noticed it was there at the time of shooting but wanted the image framed specifically and with that part of the sky. As for Neils comment regarding 'conditions' I would say that conditions were perhaps not ideal for the sunny tra-la-la shot that IS the cliche. But for 'another' type of picture of a sunflower I don't think the conditions were bad at all. Okay, I will look for something cheerful. I'll really try, I promise. :) Paul
Personally the morbid part of me is enjoying the break from the cheerful (aesthetically at any rate).
Incidentally how's the camera curse going? Are you still playing with the 30D? I also hear that your famous zoom is finally back...and still buggered.
I've taken the not inexpensive plunge into the D700 and am loving the increased quality over the D200...only gripe is the blasted scourge of the dust bunnies
E
Post a Comment