plantation lily

[snapdragon]

I used a #4 close up filter ,comments please .

[Palachandra]

Composition looks fine, however the white surface reflecting more light.

[snapdragon]

Originally Posted by Palachandra

Composition looks fine, however the white surface reflecting more light.

Thank you for looking at my photo and responding .do you mean the white surface should reflect more light ? sorry if that is a silly question ,I have not had my first coffee yet .

[Palachandra]

Sorry for my school English.
I mean its little overexposed, especially on top curve.

[wulf]

White things are hard to photograph, especially subjects with such delicate details as flowers. Sometimes there seems to be no room between overexposing some areas or leaving the whole flower looking dull and grey; I think I would probably have leaned towards the same choice you made of keeping things bright.

I would have considered having the frame set a little to the right though, so the main flower becomes rooted in the top left corner and the background one is not cropped off.

Wulf

[snapdragon]

Originally Posted by Palachandra

Sorry for my school English.
I mean its little overexposed, especially on top curve.

Thanks for explaining that to me ,and your English is fine ,my brain is in need of more coffee .

[snapdragon]

Originally Posted by wulf

White things are hard to photograph, especially subjects with such delicate details as flowers. Sometimes there seems to be no room between overexposing some areas or leaving the whole flower looking dull and grey; I think I would probably have leaned towards the same choice you made of keeping things bright.

I would have considered having the frame set a little to the right though, so the main flower becomes rooted in the top left corner and the background one is not cropped off.

Wulf

Thanks Wulf , I have noticed white flowers are hard to capture ,& I think I put more into trying to get the best out of that by useing a polarizer stacked on a #4 close up lense than the placement of the flower , and it is as it came off the camera ,if my memory serves me right . I can & will retake that shot ,hope I can get it right . your input is great . should I loose the lenses for this one or is that choice of benifet for this photo in your experiance .

[wulf]

The best way to find out is to get out there and try both ways. To be safe, see if you can think of any other combinations and play with aperture and making tiny focus adjustments as well. Take lots of shots, review them before you finish (in case you feel the need to take more) and, above all, enjoy it.

Wulf

[clockdoc]

I agree with Wulf's advice. Take lots of shots. Had you morning coffee yet? If you have a tripod and using the self-timer , also try using a card behind the flower to help block some of the bright background. You can do this using a colored cardstock "as" the background or as a "scrim" to block the light falling on the background. If you meter on the white, the end result will produce a "gray" flower. Shots like this are where you, as the photographer, have to outsmart the camera's meter. 8-)
I am curious to know if using the polarizing filter had any effect on the flower itself. Typically the filter will help reduce/eliminate glare from a reflective surface if the light is striking it at the right angle. On a "matte' surface the effect will be much less, if at all.
Did you try this shot using only the macro mode of your camera, without the #4 close-up filter? Many folks don't realize they can also use the macro mode at full telephoto (and at other focla lengths in between wide and tele). The benefit here is that you don't have to be as close to the subject ( 3 feet is the closest focusing distance on my Sony 48mm telephoto setting). Another benefit is slightly more depth of field for a given f/stop since you are a little farther away.

[snapdragon]

Originally Posted by clockdoc

I agree with Wulf's advice. Take lots of shots. Had you morning coffee yet? If you have a tripod and using the self-timer , also try using a card behind the flower to help block some of the bright background. You can do this using a colored cardstock "as" the background or as a "scrim" to block the light falling on the background. If you meter on the white, the end result will produce a "gray" flower. Shots like this are where you, as the photographer, have to outsmart the camera's meter. 8-)
I am curious to know if using the polarizing filter had any effect on the flower itself. Typically the filter will help reduce/eliminate glare from a reflective surface if the light is striking it at the right angle. On a "matte' surface the effect will be much less, if at all.
Did you try this shot using only the macro mode of your camera, without the #4 close-up filter? Many folks don't realize they can also use the macro mode at full telephoto (and at other focla lengths in between wide and tele). The benefit here is that you don't have to be as close to the subject ( 3 feet is the closest focusing distance on my Sony 48mm telephoto setting). Another benefit is slightly more depth of field for a given f/stop since you are a little farther away.

Thanks Wulf & clockdoc , i went out and took about 50- 60 ,that was before I read your advice clockdoc ,so I did it my way ,LOL tomorrow I will try your suggestions . I love a challange ,I found that my camera would not focus without the polarizer on (I bet the cardstock would have helped there .) I did take off the closeup filter and i shot that flower at every f/stop in close up PASM and I did not use the tripod , so lost 2/3s due to that .but the best shot I got to day was at close range & f8 with the polarizer on .Please let me know what you think of this shot , what should I strive for tomorrow , wheather & flower willing .