Canon Elan IIe, Canon 100mm macro, Kodak Royal Gold 100 f 4.5, Hand held

-- Darren Almeida (darren@lexicomm.com), July 11, 1998

Answers

Two-dimensional? The perspective makes the flower look flat. And I'm not sure if its the scan or my monitor's rendition of it, but the colour seems a bit flat as well.

-- Matthew Francey (mdf@my-dejanews.com), July 11, 1998.

I agree with Matthew, it does appear flat and the centered composition doesn't help either. I tried various croppings on it but the flat even tone just doesn't help. What was the lighting like ?

-- Paul Lenson (lenson@pci.on.ca), July 13, 1998.

I like it.

While it's true that a little more directionality in the lighting would've helped, as would have warmer light, the perspective is so different and original, it's fun to look at.

Very nice. :>

BTW, was this an uncorrected PhotoCD scan?

Best regards, Keith

-- Keith Clark (ClarkPhotography@spiritone.com), July 13, 1998.

Thanks for the comments. The two-dimensionality of the shot is probably due to the angle I shot from - directly overhead looking straight down. The lighting was pretty much open shade at about 9:30 AM - the highlight on the right side is from the low angled sun.

I didn't have a tripod with me, so I knew I was going to have limited DOF. That's why I shot straight down at the day lilly. A little more DOF (enough to get the center of the flower) would have helped to add some depth to the shot.

The scan was done on a flatbed scanner from a 4 x 6 print. ughh... I used the Unsharp Filter in PS (set at 60).

I plan on going back with a tripod and some Velvia...

-- Darren Almeida (darren@lexicomm.com), July 13, 1998.

This is where a wee bit of off camera flash might have helped, together with a reflector? When I am photographing flowers I sometimes use the flash on a bracket just to provide a little bit more of colour. A good alternative for flat perspectives is to darken the background by shooting at synch speed and closing down the aperture, it makes the subject stand out.

-- Paulo Bizarro (pbizarro@expro.pt), July 14, 1998.