Amaryllis 2015

[Marie Hass]

This evening's exercise was to work with just my continuous lights and flash ratio to create a pleasing image.

It was a lot harder than I thought to balance shooting tethered, manage an off-camera flash, and make the minute adjustments to get everything just-so.

So, tonight, ask me if I would do it again, and I tell you "NO".

Ask me tomorrow, and I tell you, absolutely… but I will try to soften the flash shadows!

Please c&c

'Rie

[KimC]

I particularly like the lighting on the flower on the right. It really displays the intracancy of it's beautiful, elegant petals.

[FrankMi]

Did I tell you about my baked-bean can and string smart phone?

Great idea! I want one so I can keep up with the grandkids!

[Marie Hass]

Another one blooming...and the last one for tonight. This time, the skills focus was on post processing. Lemon Lime is a beautiful Amaryllis, that, being close to a almost garish monotone, lent itself clearly to black and white.

Critique as you will.

'Rie

[rpcrowe]

Hi Rie,

I copied the image and opened it in PS CS6. I globally increased contrast 30% and Structure 50% using NIK Viveza. I then applied NIK output sharpening for display with the default values of adaptive sharpening at 50% and output sharpening strength at 100%.



Rather than a straight documentary image, I consider this is as an interpretation... I think that a large version might look nice on a wall...

[IzzieK]

Nicely done, Richard...It puts more emphasis on each petals.

Hi Rie,

I copied the image and opened it in PS CS6. I globally increased contrast 30% and Structure 50% using NIK Viveza. I then applied NIK output sharpening for display with the default values of adaptive sharpening at 50% and output sharpening strength at 100%.



Rather than a straight documentary image, I consider this is as an interpretation... I think that a large version might look nice on a wall...

[IzzieK]

'Rie,

I love the lighting you did on the red amarylis here but do you think it needs more brightening on PP a little bit? It is moody as it is but thinking about the presentation here, even though all the petals are nicely curved and all, I was thinking about a different background will be more OK to show its beauty...

As for the B/W interpretation of the other flower, that is very nicely done. I would love to see it more brighter too. But that is just me...I like fun, bright flowers.

[mugge]

I do not think that a black background would be effective, we have seen that done many times. I do think that white on white can be more effective when there are muted colours used
Cheers Mugge

[FrankMi]

This evening's exercise was to work with just my continuous lights and flash ratio to create a pleasing image.

It was a lot harder than I thought to balance shooting tethered, manage an off-camera flash, and make the minute adjustments to get everything just-so.

So, tonight, ask me if I would do it again, and I tell you "NO".

Ask me tomorrow, and I tell you, absolutely… but I will try to soften the flash shadows!

Please c&c

'Rie

Now that is a different look Marie!

A bit dark but with an uncommon richness to the colors. Looks like you are making headway with your lighting experiments. Perhaps a little tweaking here and there and the new look will be stunning!

[Marie Hass]

Kim,

Thank you. It was a lot of work just to get the picture, but I learned so much! My brain was virtually in a sweat!

'Rie

[Loose Canon]

Hey Marie!

Without knowing what you did here I might offer a couple of suggestions if you don’t mind? I’m not even seeing that this is your shot. As I look it is coming from a “Kodiak”. So I am hesitant to comment on a shot that you posted that may not even be yours.

First I would suggest the shot is cropped too tight. Top and bottom.

The shot looks a bit under exposed. I dig a mood thing if that is what you are after but under exposure looses natural contrast of the subject. The same look with another exposure/contrast ratio might give a better definition within the flowers.

I had a big look at your BG. There are some spots and some artifacts that might (should for sure) be cleaned up.

What is cool is some creative lighting on a floral instead of a flooding of light on the scene.

[Marie Hass]

Dear Richard,

Very nice! I have Nik as well, so thanks to your detailed instructions, I will create something for my wall.

'Rie

[Marie Hass]

I’m not even seeing that this is your shot. As I look it is coming from a “Kodiak”. So I am hesitant to comment on a shot that you posted that may not even be yours.

Terry, the shot is mine. If you have any questions about the integrity of my work, please consult my EXIF if my copyrighted watermark is not enough. I am disappointed that I even have to explain myself.

I shot this image in my own "studio". Until I can create my own web site, my mentor is hosting my gallery.

I do, however, appreciate your suggestions and agree that the image is a bit tight in the frame. My challenge was to learn how to create lighting ratios, given the equipment that I have.

Marie

[Marie Hass]

Dear Frank,

I wanted the flower to "glow", and perhaps i have gotten it a bit dark, but that is easily addressed.

What I am really struggling with, is the lighting. How much continuous? how much flash? What should be the distance? I still see harsh shadows on the petals.

Given time and practice, I will understand better.

'Rie

[Loose Canon]

I shot this image in my own "studio". Until I can create my own web site, my mentor is hosting my gallery

That must have been what I was seeing.

1001 apologies Marie. If I understand this whole "mentor" thing and your explanations thereof you have been posting shots that are not yours, so it would be easy to misunderstand.

[Marie Hass]

If I understand this whole "mentor" thing and your explanations thereof you have been posting shots that are not yours, so it would be easy to misunderstand.

No, I am posting shots that ARE mine, but yes it can be misunderstood. As I said before, my mentor is hosting my gallery of shots that I have personally taken until I can create my own web site.

Marie

[Marie Hass]

Ole,

I now have a white cardboard I can use as a background, so I will try that instead.

Thank you for the reminder to explore all my options.

'Rie

[Wavelength]

Very nice images, well done

[FrankMi]

Dear Frank,

I wanted the flower to "glow", and perhaps i have gotten it a bit dark, but that is easily addressed.

What I am really struggling with, is the lighting. How much continuous? how much flash? What should be the distance? I still see harsh shadows on the petals.

Given time and practice, I will understand better.

'Rie

I sincerely appreciate what you are doing to learn new techniques and it shows in your continual improvement.

I have not yet developed the 'bug' to spend the cash for strobist gear but I am looking for ways to learn how to use lighting to model shapes. I'll likely be using continuous lighting for inanimate objects until I get a better handle on it.

I'll definitely be watching how you progress in this area.

[ashcroft]

I have not yet developed the 'bug' to spend the cash for strobist gear but...

We can soon fix that http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse...1/N/4294551176

Go on... do it.