_J2G4898
Jul, 2016Views
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Top 30 rank week 1Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This taken in my back yard looking for some photo ops when I noticed some of my Cleomes opening up. I settled in and got this beautiful shot.Time
After supper, early evening.Lighting
This was taken early evening and the light was soft to begin with. It was further softened by the shade that this flower bed was in. There was was plenty of light for this macro shot but it was soft and even.Equipment
I used my Canon 1D MKIV with a Canon 180mm EF macro lens, and a tripod. I always use a sturdy tripod for this type of work if possible. This was the type of shot that I was looking for and therefore was prepared with this equipment.Inspiration
I like to catch nature in motion and doing "its thing" and I was on the prowl this evening when I noticed these Cleomes opening up. Each one is over and done with in a matter of minutes so there is no way that I could have set this up. I was just lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time and being prepared to get a shot like this.Editing
Yes I do post processing. I don't like over processed images, but all images need processed. I shoot almost exclusively in raw so processing is a must. Besides that before there was Photoshop there was Ansel Adams. He pushed the boundaries of processing in his day and would have embraced Photoshop if he were still around. I use Lightroom as my main asset management and "darkroom". I do have a full color capable darkroom with capacity to 4x5 negatives and prints, but haven't used it since going digital. My process is very similar to what you would do with film in a darkroom: 1. A great image always starts in the camera. No amount of processing can make up for a bad negative. Period. 2. Now we go to the darkroom (Lightroom); a. Any cropping is done first. I was taught to shoot loose and adjust later. b. Set white balance. In manual processing even this decision is made by the photographer. c. Set black point. All images should have some pure black or they look flat. d. Set white point. Same reason as black point. You've now established your dynamic range for the image. e. Adjust shadows for good detail. f. Adjust highlights for good detail. g. Adjust for any needed color corrections. h. If needed do any burn/doge work now a readjust steps c. through g. if needed. I. I also add some clarity and vibrance at this time. j. I also adjust saturation at this time. Usually I don't adjust saturation but have actually toned down an image a bit. k. Next is sharpening. Be careful here. Over sharpening isn't good. l. Now noise reduction. Again be careful here. Over processing is obvious and accounts for that "photo shopped" look. That's basics of my processing philosophy/ technique.In my camera bag
My 1D MK IV is standard, Usually my 70-200 F2.8 and a general purpose zoom. My gear collection is rather extensive and lenses like this 180mm macro usually stay packed away unless I'm looking for something special.Feedback
Frequent flower gardens in this case. Understand your subject. Understand that even flowers are living things with their own personality. This particular shot was a learning experience for for me because I didn't know how this particular flower would behave. If I was not observant and on the lookout for something new I would have missed this one. O if I had just had a movie camera at the time this happened but this happened just to fast to go and get it. Get out there looking for opportunities. Learn to see the new and unexpected. Don't lock yourself in. Be prepared. Have a plan, an objective for your trip out.
