Hibiscus pistiles fertilized.

I took this shot last summer while in holiday. The place was

delimited with these Hibiscus so they get in the walking path. I

looked arround a long while to find one with just a bit a bit pollen

on the stammen (most others were spoiled already). It was windy so

flash was the only light source I used to freeze the subject. It

leaded to the dreaded back background, though. I particulary like the

ring of pollen and its diagonal orientation. From my point of view,

the black and red combination are way too contrasty. A soft

background colour would have helped a lot in this image. It looks

more an illustration than a picture. My scan method didn't help

neither: That's a print of a slide, print scanned on a flatbed. A lot

is lost on the way (until the day I get a slide scanner) but the

contrast of the original isn't much better anyway.

 

What do you think?

Hi, Gerard... I think you've raised the primary questions about this image ... the black background and the high color contrasts shown... until I noticed your comment about the flash bracket used, I was trying to figure out the lighting source.... I think what would help this image for me is to be able to see more detail in the larger red areas ... on my monitor, anyway, I see the side-lighted fringes of the red circles but no detail in the front of those .... same thing for the stem below them.... I think seeing detail there would lessen my reaction to the black/red/yellow contrast ... I'm not sure if the lack of detail is the result of the scanning you've had to do or whether its absent in the original image ... either way, I am enjoying this circle and the opportunity to exchange comments very much and look forward to your thoughts on your own and other images.... welcome aboard!!!!!!!

Hi Gerard...the image of the Hibiscus is quite interesting to me in the sense of the technical challenge and the capturing of the main key.

Nature has her own way when displaying colors and the colors in the picture hit me with "danger" signals. The red,orange and black are symbolic of danger,caution and worse...the high contrast colors remind me of the FLY AGARIC mushroom or the CORAL snake of the US.

In a way I find myself exploring the total image and find it intriguing. There is a tendency when looking at macro photographs to expect that every minute detail of the image be in razor sharp focus and if not, then supporting the main element. Here the planes of focus switch back and forth drawing me away from the ring.

I downloaded the image and experimented with a photo-imaging program and really like a B&W conversion.The image takes on an ethereal quality.

Looking forward to the next image.

Hi Tony,
Would you post the B&W image on the thread? I'd like to see it.
I did some B&W macro from which I have few images in my portfolio. (See Confused if interested in the old discussion)It's quite challenging, as many macro photos rely in the colorful Nature and in B&W you have to ground yourself in top class composition, light and texture. It's a question of discipline and given that I need more of that, I might start the B&W project again. :-)

This circle is going really great.

I look forward to more constructive discussions. Sorry I joined late, but I was on a short holiday.

-regards,

 

Here's the B&W of the Hibiscus.

Thanks for the B&W! In it, it's even more obvious that there's no detail at all in the red areas of the stammen. How could I have preserved some detail there? More flash exposure? It seems to me that some kinds of polen have phosphorescent characteristics and go very fast overexposed while the surrounding are barely lighted. Any experience/knowledge on that?

 

-regards,

I've been reviewing this photo for a couple of days, wanting to make some intelligent comments, but I find myself lacking... I like the colors, how it pops out, but I think the lack of detail in the red tops, evident as you pointed out in the B&W post, bothers me. I think for the same reasons pointed out already. THat it leads my eyes, searching for detail, until I find it in the yellow. It leaves me wondering. And maybe that's not such a bad thing!

I am impressed by the depth of field you managed to get at the magnification. The image is interesting - without being too cluutered it has a lot of detail - I find my eyes wandering through the pollen on the lower stamen. The layers in focus do take away from the main subject - the stigma. It would have been great to have seen some more detail in the red - maybe another light source like someone before suggested. I don't think the dark/black background looks too bad in this shot. Great attempt, look forwrd to seeing more of your images.