A macro shot of a simple daisy, lighted from below.
Post-processing:
- RAW conversion in PSE
- Noise reduction
- USM sharpening
- Cloned out minor light specs
- Levels adjust to increase contrast
- Cropped
- Framed
- Convert to JPEG
Post Challenge:
Thank you everyone for the voting and the great comments. Getting a ribbon on a site with so many great photographers and photos is truly a magical thing.
Here is a picture of my high-tech setup I used for this shot (hope this thumbnail works here).
The stuff that seems to be falling from the petals is simply water bubbles on the inside of the glass (invisible due to darkness). Also used a circular polarizer lense filter to cut down on glare.
Statistics
Place: 1 out of 238 Avg (all users): 7.5338 Avg (commenters): 8.9688 Avg (participants): 7.4000 Avg (non-participants): 7.5914 Views since voting: 18611 Views during voting: 431 Votes: 266 Comments: 79 Favorites: 87 (view)
It has been said time and time again the lighting is spot on! The way it illuminates this flower is what elevates it into something mystical and magical. The water bubbles also add the element of magic 'fairy dust' or little dewdrops of magical light falling off the petals. Square crop keeps attention focused tightly on this magical flower while the black backdrop really allows the flower to shine and visually 'pop' off the page.
As the comments and blue ribbon indicate, you have a well received and appreciated image here. You have all of the aspects of well done photography here, including a creative take on a commonly photographed item.
The composition is strong and classical, the technique is spot on and the image clearly meets the challenge. Often the hardest thing to add is a spark of magic or emotion to your image. You have managed to do that through your lighting and bubbles. While seemingly simple, combined that add the wow that won the ribbon.
From your biography:"I am open to almost all forms of artistic presentation in photography..."
YOU are an Artist!
While I was votig, your pic got my highest vote!
Great job.
Woo Hoo Sherwin!!!! Mega congratulations on your first blue ribbon! (The first of many I'm sure) This is SO AMAZING!!! I feel like when I stumbled on your amazing photos the other day, I discovered a wonderful talent that I couldn't wait see more work from. .. .and here you are in first place in this really competitive challenge!!
WOW.. i was a bit confuse where is the light source..
Original and Unique..
you could have cheat and put a light on top of the flower.. but you didnt..
straight up 10
Great! A minor improvement would be upping the center of the flower a fraction of f stop to make it separate from background. But very good idea indeed! First time I am ready to lavish praise on the very first shot I see in a challenge.
Finally a beautiful and original flower picture. Interesting lighting, although it is a bit unclear what it is that's falling off. Pollen? Dust? Water? It doesn't bring the photo down however.
oh wow, that is gorgeous... I love the -almost looks like fairy dust- falling from the petals, nice and golden and your title fits perfectly.. would have liked better w/o border, bump, 10 despite border
A Magical Place
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