African Violet with Close Up Filter

I'm still learning my new camera and played some this time with my set

of close up filters. I'm somewhat disappointed since the flower actually

was glistening when I took the shot but it just doesn't show up. Any

thoughts that would help me?

 

Thanks for looking.

Interesting composition and nice colors. It looks like it may be over sharpened in post processing (something I am also guilty of at times) and so you are getting artifatcts in the shot which could be cloned out. The glisten on flowers is very difficult to catch ( I am constantly trying with mixed success) but some of it is in the shot. Your DoF seems off in the shot which is causing things to get fuzzy. i am also learning how to use a new camera, even after 8 mos with it. Keep shooting, you have some good shots to work from. - Charles

Charles,

 

Thanks so much for your comments. I did sharpen a little as it seemed to bring out the glistening on the petals a bit more. I'm just curious as to what you see that made it look over sharpened? I'm really just getting into digital processing and sometimes am not sure what to look for.

 

I've just had my camera for a couple months. It's so different from my old Minolta X700 -- so much to learn. At times it seems as if the only thing that's the same is composing the shot in the viewfinder!

 

Thanks again for your comments.

 

Diane

There were a couple things that made me think it might be over sharpened. First it looks like there ar a number of artifacts in the shot (white dots or pixels with no color) and I find this happens when you sharpen the shot more than other types of PP. The more you sharpen the more artifats. I find this especially true when you have the glistening effects in flowers. Don't know exactly why it happens, just notice it in my own shots and work. Also the images seemed to feel unnatural or flat in color, especially around the yellow parts of the flowers. The shadows seem stronger than natural shadows would be - they look like lines not shadows. Similarly some of the petal edges take on an unnatural look rather than a sharp focus look. This along with the dof concerns just made me feel it was somewhat over processed. As I also said, I like the basic composition of the shot, so it was a good image to work with. Don't be afraid to play with the camera and take multiple shots at different settings so you cansee what is happening. What is your new camera? I am shooting an Olympus 620 and love it, but I amalso still learning what all of the buttons and whistles do. I bought it last May. Hope this is helpful. Thanks forlooking at my portfolio and would be interested in your thoughts on any of the shots. - Charles

Charles,

 

Thanks for the info about the sharpening. It was very helpful! I opened the original and can see some of the pixels with no color but I’m not sure I see the flat color around the yellow center. Of course, the old eyes aren’t what they used to be either! I had been anxious to shoot with some sun light (we’ve had lots of rainy or snowy weekends lately) and use the close up filters I’d purchased with the camera.

 

I use Google’s Picasa to crop and adjust highlights, etc. It has a sharpening feature but it’s not as advanced as PS – which I’m just figuring out as well. I’m going to try and attach the original picture but have never done it so am not sure if it will work or not…

 

I haven’t figured out DOF yet, especially with close-up work which I really love to do. My old Minolta had a DOF button I could check the shot with. I bought my Sony A500 in December. I remember the manual saying something about DOF but I think that’s going to have to be a later lesson. I’m still trying to figure out the autofocus points.

 

It’s been a number of years since I did any serious shooting and it’s like I’m having to learn everything all over and when you add the digital --- geeze, sometimes I think I’m so old! :) But I’m having a ball – I’d forgotten just how much I liked photography….

 

Hope you have a great weekend.

 

Diane

Couldn't get this attached last time... I'll see if it works this time.