Red amaryllis and paperwhites

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Originally Posted by Marie Hass

Dear readers, please tell me what you think of this Macro/detail. I almost think I will have to learn focus stacking one of these days.

Marie

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Marie, I think the detail you have achieved here is pretty good. As for focus stacking it's ok but not really of benefit for 'artistic' shots such as these in my opinion.

Grahame

Morning (well, at least 4:00am here) Grahame,

I have a few questions for you. Just curious to hear another person's view. Are you ready?

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'artistic' shots

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What constitutes "artistic"? As opposed to?

I do know when I take my pictures, I pick the ones that speak for me.

Does that make sense?

Marie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marie Hass

Morning (well, at least 4:00am here) Grahame,

I have a few questions for you. Just curious to hear another person's view. Are you ready?



What constitutes "artistic"? As opposed to?

I do know when I take my pictures, I pick the ones that speak for me.

Does that make sense?

Marie

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Hi Marie,

I'm going to find this difficult but here goes...............

I have two categories for classing flower photographs, 'seed catalogue' and 'others', perhaps a strange view but it's mine.

The 'seed catalogue' ones tend to be those that the photographer has made no effort other than to include the entire flower as is as a technical record of its shape and colour.

The 'others' are those that the photographer has really appreciated the beauty of the flower and made an effort to emphasise this either by clever lighting, background separation or capturing just a part of the flower to reveal the beauty in the detail.

Within the 'others' category I have a sub category of which I call 'artistic' and these are the ones where the photographer has concentrated on capturing just a part of the flower, recording superb detail of that part, and then using the rest to draw the eyes to the emphasised part by using shape and gradual OOF depth to form a background/surround.

Perhaps a simplistic view but then again I shoot bugs and critters mainly not because I do not want to shoot flowers but there's so few here available that are photogenic.

Oh yes Marie, I'm pleased you do not produce the 'seed catalogue' category:)

Grahame

Thanks, Grahame, for explaining.

It is always fun to hear things explained from someone else's view. I hope you were not offended by my directness.

I am very glad that I am in your "artistic" category.

Have a nice night,

Marie

For your viewing pleasure, but also for comment and critique, another batch of Amaryllis are blooming. Please tell me what you think.

1. Amaryllis "Exotica"
http://i57.tinypic.com/2nbunew.jpg

2. Amaryllis "Fanfare" (This was supposed to have recurved frilly petals, but does not. Still, bright red with green is pretty.
http://i60.tinypic.com/11ca6pi.jpg

3. Amaryllis "Exotic Star". This is its third scape, with a fourth soon to open.
http://i60.tinypic.com/14xib1l.jpg

4. Amaryllis "Red Pearl". This is the fourth scape.
http://i57.tinypic.com/34eoj9s.jpg

Hi Marie,

Another beautiful series, it's difficult to pick a favourite from them. One thing that does really stand out is the detail and perfect exposure of the stems.

Perhaps No 1 & No 3 could do with a bit more space on the right side to balance things up, easily achieved by extending the canvas size once the slightly under black area has been dealt with which can be done by use of the black point dropper tool in levels.

Keep them coming.....................

Grahame

Thank you, Grahame,

I have taken care of those images with your edits. Much better! Thank you!

How are you in your neck of the woods?

Marie

Very nice images again Marie,#2 and #4 are my favourites :)

All so beautiful, Marie...

Edits suggested by Grahame:

1.
http://i58.tinypic.com/256zq53.jpg

2.
http://i59.tinypic.com/33o5pmu.jpg

Newest entry:

3. Amaryllis "Half and Half"
http://i57.tinypic.com/2e3pylj.jpg

As always, please comment, critique so I can make better images.

Marie

All are gorgeous, and they also all look absolutely perfect to me.

I'm torn between the 1st and the 2nd as being my favourite, but choose the 1st because I really love the composition ( I see a couple in love ) and the soft colours.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marie Hass

Edits suggested by Grahame:

1.
http://i58.tinypic.com/256zq53.jpg

2.
http://i59.tinypic.com/33o5pmu.jpg

Newest entry:

3. Amaryllis "Half and Half"
http://i57.tinypic.com/2e3pylj.jpg

As always, please comment, critique so I can make better images.

Marie

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Thanks, Christina.

I was pleased with the way these turned out. I redid my order of processing and I think the images turned out better. The colors are more true.

Very very nice Marie, although you seem to have lost just a wee bit if brightness with the flower in No 1.

I'm having a go at a couple of flowers today but the breeze is going to be a challenge as I want to do them outside in natural light.

Grahame

Grahame, I did notice that, but the color is more true. I am not sure where the balance is. I used Nik filters - neutralize whites the first time around, which is why the brightness. Hmmm. I could do a little bit of brightness adjustment.....just to amp it up one notch. That will work.

As always, thanks for your help.

Marie

All beautiful Marie,well done!

David

David,

Thank you. I am an amatuer, but I love growing these throughout the winter. They provide a bright spot in what would otherwise be a colourless time period for me.

Marie

Amaryllis window.

Closest - Nyora, Misty, Exotic Star (blooming), Gervase, Ruby Star, Half and Half (blooming), Exotica (blooming), Bogota (blooming), Chico. On the floor is Orange Sovereign.

http://i57.tinypic.com/20zo8xe.jpg

Marie

Today's flowers.

1. Amaryllis "Bogota"
http://i57.tinypic.com/x3fi45.jpg

2. Amaryllis "Nyora" budding
http://i59.tinypic.com/1zwc6d2.jpg

Please comment. Your input is invaluable.

Marie

Oh Marie! You just continue to do wonders with your stable of Amaryllis lovelies.

Several of Corrine's Amaryllis are in bloom but I haven't been able to get a chance to shoot them as yet. The Chico has bloomed and passed but the Double Flaming Peacock is in full glory at the moment. I did, however, order several others based on some of the ones you have so beautifully photographed in this thread.

I'd better be careful that I don't go Amaryllis broke in the process of viewing your images!!

They just keep getting better Marie, that lighting is just perfect.

Grahame