Unnatural Nature

[Shadowman]

f/22, ISO 800, 4s, 22mm

[Wavelength]

Quite a novel presentation; i think the purple leaf needs a bit more brightening; very well done

[Shadowman]

Quite a novel presentation; i think the purple leaf needs a bit more brightening; very well done

Thanks Nandakumar.

[Shadowman]

I added a bit of light to the veins.

[Wavelength]

Doubtless, better

[Brownbear]

Gorgeous image!

[Sergio M.]

Very nicely done, John. I like the lighting on these shots.

Sergio

[chauncey]

Agree, it is nicely done John!

[Shadowman]

Gorgeous image!

Thanks Christina.

[Shadowman]

Very nicely done, John. I like the lighting on these shots.

Sergio

Thanks Sergio.

[Shadowman]

Agree, it is nicely done John!

Thanks Chauncey.

[Stagecoach]

John,

Novel idea and I like the lighting. It may be an interesting group to put closer together and see what you can do.

Grahame

[Shadowman]

John,

Novel idea and I like the lighting. It may be an interesting group to put closer together and see what you can do.

Grahame

Thanks for the comments Grahame. It is a work in progress, always open to new ideas.

[ShaneS]

John;

My first sense upon viewing this was that the items appeared to be floating downward in a breeze which I think is very intriguing and has the potential for a somewhat surrealistic series. The positioning of the purple leaf on the right take a bit of the 'float' away from the image for me and I wonder if a more horizontal or side view would increase that effect.

This is not generally my cup of tea but it is something that I have been trying to wrap my head around and experiment with myself so I enjoyed viewing this and would like to hear more about what your vision was when you created the image. I'm picturing a floating/falling tea set/accesories (ala Alice in Wonderland) as I write but would have no idea how to shoot something like that

[Kaye Leggett]

Very intriguing photo and i agree with Shane oodles of potential for a series which you are doubtless on too, it being a work in progress - looking forward to seeing some more.

[Marie Hass]

Agree, John.

This image takes on the quality of an abstract still life with a tactile feel. Everything you have put in can be associated something you touch. You have picked an excellent background. I like how we all have stopped by and said "Hmmm......l wonder..." as we viewed your image.

Marie

[Shadowman]

John;

My first sense upon viewing this was that the items appeared to be floating downward in a breeze which I think is very intriguing and has the potential for a somewhat surrealistic series. The positioning of the purple leaf on the right take a bit of the 'float' away from the image for me and I wonder if a more horizontal or side view would increase that effect.

This is not generally my cup of tea but it is something that I have been trying to wrap my head around and experiment with myself so I enjoyed viewing this and would like to hear more about what your vision was when you created the image. I'm picturing a floating/falling tea set/accesories (ala Alice in Wonderland) as I write but would have no idea how to shoot something like that

Hi Shane,

Thanks for the comments. I tried a few horizontal shots and also a floating leaf. Looks fine, but the timing was off on the leaf drop and was more of a blur. Everything is still setup so I will experiment more with the arrangement.

My thoughts during setup, I used a light tent with white panels, black backdrop, was allowing enough light to expose the items; while controlling the light spill through the sides. I spaced the three buds to give a 3-D effect, each bud is about the same size, and placed the two leaves at elevated positions to increase the effect. Nandakumar suggested I add a bit more light to the purple leaf, so I decided to retouch the veins only.

[Shadowman]

Very intriguing photo and i agree with Shane oodles of potential for a series which you are doubtless on too, it being a work in progress - looking forward to seeing some more.

Thanks Kaye. Probably my first still life that actually worked out. They usually look just ...still.

[Shadowman]

Agree, John.

This image takes on the quality of an abstract still life with a tactile feel. Everything you have put in can be associated something you touch. You have picked an excellent background. I like how we all have stopped by and said "Hmmm......l wonder..." as we viewed your image.

Marie

Marie,

Thanks for the kind comments. Winter time usually limits my chances for honing my photographic skills. A week ago the ground was covered in snow so I took a hike along with my camera, which I rarely do; and captured the scene in the link below. Three days later rain washed away all the snow, the ground was clear and I spotted these buds and took them home with me. Another storm blew into the city, I was pretty much tired of trekking through the snow, and after perusing the forum got inspired to try my hand at another still life. Hopefully the inspiration I get from the Cambridge members will carry me through the winter.

Buds

[Mike Buckley]

Even though this isn't the sort of style that I like, it impresses me more than any of your other photos at least that come to mind. I agree with the others that this could be one of a series of images.

Just a couple of suggestions you have probably already thought of: Consider anchoring at least one of the objects to the frame for a different effect that you may or may not like. Strongly consider attending to the black background; it's got just enough tonal variation that it seems to be a mistake that you either intended everything to be total black and missed or that you intended to have some tonal variation but didn't use enough of it.