Red amaryllis and paperwhites

[Marie Hass]

And 2 totally different sets of problems.

These flowers had such a lovely delicate petal texture that was so easy to loose. They also had these glowey, irridescent parts to them. They show up almost as hot pixels?

My Amaryllis Red Lion is a very orangey red. The narcissus, on the other hand, is very white.

I took many pictures today, in different locations, lighting, etc. Very frustrating.

Please comment, critique.





Marie

[FrankMi]

They also had these glowey, irridescent parts to them. They show up almost as hot pixels?

Lovely captures, Marie. I found that iridescent subjects are almost impossible to capture in an image as they are often not a color but rather an ever changing shimmer that the eye can see but as the camera captures a split-second in time it doesn't get the entire iridescent effect. I tried using a peacock feather to capture iridescence but the results were quite limited. I also tried capturing the iridescence of water shimmering in a brook and again, not so much joy. <sigh>

[Stagecoach]

Hi Marie,

Both very nice images. I have found one way to deal with reds like this is to drop the contrast a bit and then possibly slightly de-saturate.

You have achieved an excellent DOF for the amaryllis.

Grahame

[Clive Kirby]

They are great images - both of them. I struggle with reds, I think the image sensor is more sensitive to the red part of the spectrum and so it is easy to over expose reds. I try to underexpose images with a strong red component and then process as Grahame suggested.

Regarding iridescence, as I understand it this is the result of refracted light and so you should pick it up with the camera sensor if you have the right angle. I have seen it captured very well on starling's plumage. Perhaps in this case the iridescence is acting as highlights would and have been over exposed.

I don't know really I'm just applying a bit of schoolboy physics to a bit of factual knowledge - I might be adding 2 and 2 and getting 5.

Keep trying - these images would look really good if you captured the iridescence as well. Thanks for sharing.
regards
Clive

[Marie Hass]

Dear Frank,

You are right. It is a shimmer, and as Clive said, acts as highlights - that are easily over-exposed pixels? Hmmm....I will think on that.

Dear Grahame, I do struggle DoF in my subjects. The amaryllis is shot at f11 to try to capture some of the depth of the bloom. DoF is especially difficult to establish when using my 550D closeup lens, which I did for the narcissus.

Dear Clive,

Thank you for your explanation. It makes a lot of sense as to why that shimmer is so hard to capture.

Marie

[AB26]

Marie, the red is brilliant – very well done – I love it!
The white I appreciate as a high key shot and the difficulty of capturing white flowers. Well done.

[deetheturk]

Beautiful Marie,well done!

[Marie Hass]

Since I already had this thread going, I thought I would post more of my amaryllis that are blooming now.

This is my double.

1.


2.


3.


Marie

[Stagecoach]

Beautifully captured Marie, the colour and detail is extremely well done.

How did you light these as they are so free of shadow, Exif suggests it was not flash? Would also be interested to know how you achieved the black background.

Grahame

[Marie Hass]

Grahame,

I have a 3 season/exposed from 3 sides sun deck and did the classic shoot into a darkened room. I also shot a bit higher ISO than normal, used f11 to provide a greater DoF. In CS5, used the black point? dropper in levels on the background to make it blacker. A little cloning/or burning worked to clean up. Someone else might have a better technical explanation.

Thanks for commenting. I figured you would appreciate seeing these. This is the first bloom on the double, The stalk itself has 5 blooms on it this year. The first bloom stalk on the red is finished, but another scape is coming along in about 10 days. I have more amaryllis varieties that are coming along. I will post pictures of a small orange tomorrow. This is the first year I have had that one, so will be more spectacular next year.

I am very affected with bipolar and find that growing things that bloom in winter is very therapeutic.

Marie

[FrankMi]

Hi Marie, these images are superb. Photographing against the black background really brings out the best in the delicate red, white and green coloring. For me, the Bokeh is spot on. I am also thrilled by the detail, particularly the sharp red line that accentuates the edges of each pedal.

Keep 'em coming Marie. They are a feast for the eyes that I could return to time and time again.

[Brownbear]

All absolutely gorgeous!

[Marie Hass]

Thanks, Frank.

I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

And you, too, Christina.

Marie

[Marie Hass]

Orange Sovereign. This one I did pretty much SOOC. The orange was so rich I was afraid to mess with it. The light source is a tungsten bulb



Marie

[FrankMi]

What an interesting and pleasant way to frame a flower! The tan and red bleeds from the wall are perfectly reflected in the crystal and the colors complement each other nicely. Excellent blend of color, texture, and form. Very well done, Marie!

[ajsmith]

Marie,

These are all beautiful shots. I really like #1 in the second set. The red and green compliment each other and really stand out against the black background.

[Marie Hass]

Orange Sovereign - new for 2014. It is only 1/3 of the size of my more established amaryllis.

I struggled this this one. The blooms are more upright and show less, and the light was less than optimal. I had to clean up the background more, and I had more shadows. I will shoot this one again, perhaps when the second bloom stalk presents itself.



This was the light I had to work with.



Marie

[Marie Hass]

Frank, I want to thank you for commenting on my presentations. It means a lot.

Ali, thank you as well.

Marie

[Brownbear]

I adore all of your flower images...!

[Marie Hass]

Christina, thank you.

I love gardening and flowers. My amaryllis give me great joy in the winter when there is little else blooming.

Marie