Suite of Onion Photos

[Mike Buckley]

This set of four photos of the same onion is intended to be viewed as a suite in the order presented below. If they were mounted on a wall, they would probably be displayed horizontally in the same order from left to right.

Setup
The background is dark green art paper. A small continuous-light lamp shining from the left rear of the subject is flagged to prevent all but the smallest amount of light from falling on the background. A reflector is positioned on the right and in front of the subject (exactly opposite of the lamp). A flag is also positioned to prevent light from directly entering the lens, which would have produced flare and reduced contrast.

[bje07]

Nice framing, nice colors, nice WB, nice, as usual.
Cheers.

[John 2]

Love the lighting Mike, and the way it has produced those rich natural colours.

[ST1]

You've managed to make that onion look good Mike. I do like the texture in the skin the overall colour and framing well captured. Apart from onions that I've grown in the vegetable plot I've not seen them for sale with growth (Leaves) on them.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, everyone!

I was expecting intense color to be produced by the little bit of back lighting but I was really surprised at the intensity of the color produced by reflected light, which is about 95% of the subject. It was so intense that I had to reduce the saturation of the bulb in two of the images.

I've not seen them for sale with growth (Leaves) on them.

They weren't for sale that way. Instead, the leaves sprouted about a week after I bought the onion. This is only the third time this has happened, the other two times being in 2008 and 2014.

[Rita]

These are wonderful. Colour, textures, lighting all great.

[Wavelength]

Very impressive set of images...lighting is awwesome

[skitterbug]

Thanks, everyone!

I was expecting intense color to be produced by the little bit of back lighting but I was really surprised at the intensity of the color produced by reflected light, which is about 95% of the subject. It was so intense that I had to reduce the saturation of the bulb in two of the images.



They weren't for sale that way. Instead, the leaves sprouted about a week after I bought the onion. This is only the third time this has happened, the other two times being in 2008 and 2014.

Hi Mike ~ I enjoyed the series that is beautifully done - and I'm always interested in how you "light" your subjects. Thanks for the explanation!

So you actually remember the times when your onions sprouted? LOL

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to Rita, Nandakumar and Sandy!

So you actually remember the times when your onions sprouted? LOL

No, I have a terrible memory. However, I have a good enough memory to have remembered that I photographed the sprouted onions, so I only had to look up those photos. I searched my catalog on the term, onion, and was instantly rewarded with the dates I took those photos.

[skitterbug]

I searched my catalog on the term, onion, and was instantly rewarded with the dates I took those photos.

I ought to do a better job for my computer filing system. I see that LR offers tags. Thanks for reminding me that I really need to get started on cataloging photos!

[Tronhard]

I must say that your series brought tears to my eyes!

Seriously though, the images are an excellent essay on the textures of a normally ignored and humble subject.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, Trev!

I must say that your series brought tears to my eyes!

Actually, you really didn't have to say that.

[bnnrcn]

Great light,colors and texture Mike , very nice series

[selig1656]

Great lighting and terrific colors Hope the taste of that onion is as sweet as the pics.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to Binnur and Raymond.

Hope the taste of that onion is as sweet as the pics.

Though I bought the onion to eat the bulb, it's likely that the only part I'll eat is the leaves. That's because as the leaves continue to grow, they draw more and more on the resources of the bulb, leaving it like mush.

[All3n]

I must agree with all of the comments. Wonderful shot and very creative and cool idea.