Interesting Plant

[goosta]

I originally took this shot for the ghetto lighting assignment, but decided it didn't have enough focus on the light (since I was getting lots of ambient light from the windows). I really like the texture on this plant, so that's why I chose it as a subject. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

[geotography]

Hi Goosta,

I am with you on the plant texture; this is a great subject. I would do all that is required to keep this plant alive and stay with your study. It's sort of a cliche and understatement, but light is everything to our captures. There are so many ways for us make light our partner in our creative work...I have only just begun to scratch the light surface myself. I would suggest being tireless in your experimentation with light: change the light source a bit, do the experiment again and again. For something as beautiful as this piece of nature, you could also experiment with simple, unbusy backgrounds. Today, I am sounding a bit like a broken record about black backgrounds...but take a look at your wonderful green color, with its interesting texture, against the top right blackened corner of the image. Now imagine that solid black behind your plant with light that gives you all you need to glorify this plantlife.

Say Goosta, what is this plant? I think I want to find one to have around the house. Thanks Goosta. I think you have a very nice study going here and I hope you stay with it. I look forward to seeing more.

Best Regards,

[Japaslavian]

It is an interesting plant, which is why I'm sitting here wondering why you've included it's not so interesting planter.

But seriously, I wouldn't crop this one, but maybe in the future, allow the main focus of the plant, its texture, make up the entire frame. Geotography's background advice is also a great idea to try. Just be careful because black backgrounds can be fairly tricky to work with. They tend to suck up all the available light, especially fabrics like velvet. Adversely, paper backgrounds will tend to reflect light and you might get some strange effects.

Keep it up!

[jiminyClickit]

goosta, Welcome

Wonder if a mirror placed on the floor in front of a window, casting light upward under several of these leaves, would be considered "ghetto lighting?" It would be so very bright, going to f/11 or f/16, or up to 1/250 sec. shutter, may give you a very dark background as well.

[goosta]

Thanks for the great feedback. It's really interesting to hear your comments and see things I didn't even notice in my own photo.

@geotography
Your comment about the black background makes a lot of sense. When I looked at the top right corner, I instantly saw how it would make the plant pop as the subject.

This plant is called Pilea involucrata (commonly called Friendship Plant). I'll definitely keep with it as a subject (assuming I can keep it alive).

@Japaslavian
Yeah, I see your point about the pot. I actually took a bunch of shots of the foliage, but didn't really like them. Looking back at them, it's the background that I didn't like. Too distracting... I am going to try the black BG idea (or some other solid color)...sounds neat.

@jiminyClickit
That's a really good idea. I always forget about reflecting light onto subjects. Thanks!

[jiminyClickit]

goosta,

My thoughts were more of a backlighting, through the leaf, giving those colors a glow and richness, as well as upping the brightness. Through window, bouncing off mirror on floor, up through leaves.

[xxpinballxx]

JC that s something I never thought of but the mirror trick would be a great idea.
Definitely ghetto lighting too. May even be good with a flashlight to bounce off of it...
I'm going to have to play with this idea.

[jiminyClickit]

xxpinballxx,

Me too, knowing now it's ghetto.

[geotography]

Thanks goosta for the plant name. Your photo study has stimulated excellent lessons and opportunities. Look forward to your future posts.