Shutter Envy
ktuli — Wed, 02/03/2010 - 21:48
This photo was taken by my wife, Anya. It is one of my all time favorite photos.
I thought maybe I should wait a little longer to use this one, but I just couldn't wait.
Technical Data: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, Tamron 180mm f/3.5 Di SP LD 1:1 Macro, 1/500 sec at f/7.1. ISO 250. No post production. Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh, PA.
Why This Photo: I can't really say why Anya took this photo, but I'm really glad that she did. Like I said, it is one of my all time favorites!
What Works: Almost everything. The composition is rock solid, the depth of field is perfect. I know this was taken outdoors in some pretty bright sunlight, and the way the light plays across the flower is mesmerizing.
What Doesn't Work: The focal plane is just a smidge close. It looks like it focused just a tiny bit before the main part of the flower. But I also know that this shot was taken handheld, and I'm really stretching to be able to find something "wrong" with this photo.
We have this photo printed and framed in our house. I've used it as my wallpaper on my computer and cell phone.
I don't think I'll ever get tired of looking at this photo. And each time I look at it, I remember all the great photo trips Anya and I go on and look forward to the next one (which should be coming up here soon for my birthday).
It is shots like this that make me think that we should sell prints. What do you think? Would you pay for a framed copy of this photo?
- Bill
That is an excellent photo. How did you arrange for the black background? The contrast is good and I like the focus.
The black background is actually a combination of luck and skill. With a macro lens focused at that distance and aperture, you end up with an extremely blurred background, so the only think you need is for something fairly dark to be somewhere in your background. Anya did a great job of making sure to reposition the shot until she got a nice background without any distracting shifts in brightness, and thus a nice solid black background is achieved and makes sure to keep the viewers eyes focused right where they should be. Sometimes you aren't lucky enough to get a background without distracting elements and you either end up with a less than perfect shot or you have to make your own background.
- Bill
Yeah, longer lenses offer a great depth of field for focus. Some of my best images from college are from a lens that would completely blur the background as the focus range was so small. Sometimes this squishes the subject, forcing it into 2d (well, less transparent 2d) As I was scrolling down new posts, this image really stuck out at me. She did an awesome job with the background, as to me, I feel this almost mutes the colors of the subject. The light being being the subject and above, along with the focus brings a nice glow to the subject too. Absolutely beautiful image, great job! :)
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