Spring's first buds

[photog1107]

Captured this one today, as I know the forsythia is the first to come and go in early spring. I am wondering how the composition works.... was trying to put the emphasis on the bud, rather than the usual star, the flower bloom. Any thoughts on the background and framing would be appreciated, as well as opinions as to whether the image carries oomph, or not. Thanks!



f/16, 1/6 sec with tripod, ISO 100, 140 mm with two stacked Kenko extension tubes.

[Nicole Hanna]

I love the composition and depth of field, but for me, the color palette just seems to wash out the flower, with the background as yellow as the foreground. I know absolutely nothing about fancy photo editing programs, but maybe punching up the contrast or deepening or color enhancing the flower and leaves might add a bit more oomph and separate the flower from the background. Without the green stem and leaves, I fear I might not notice the flower at all. And if that's possible without losing the warmth of this photo, you'd have a great one.

[photog1107]

Thanks Nicole. You hit on the one thing that I was sort of wondering about, too. How is this for an edit?



I think I am happier with the desaturated background! Just took a little lassoing and feathering in PSE. Anyone else with opinions, feel free to weigh in. Thanks!

[rengles]

I think it depends on what your subject is...if you want to focus mainly on the bud, it works to have the yellow flower blend in with the lovely background (and I would maybe even crop a bit of the flower out so it distracts less from the bud). But if you want to focus more on the flower (or on both I suppose), then desaturating the background really does help the flower stand out... either way, lovely spring blooms!

[OK_to_Point]

Nice shot.....what size extension tubes did you use? I just bought a set , 13/21/31 mm, and learning how to use them. Is that the configuration you usually use? Seems you have quite a nice slice of it in focus and wondering how you had it set up....thanks

[photog1107]

Thanks. I have a set of the Kenkos (12/20/36) and if I am not mistaken, I shot this with the 20mm plus 12mm tubes stacked. I used f/16 for a relatively large DoF, which helps a great deal, too. The only problem can be wind.... it has to be oh so still to manage a crisp macro shot with a long shutter speed--a rare occurrence in spring to be sure! I have really enjoyed my set...As long as there is enough light, I have found them to be a very useful macro tool, and easy to toss in a bad since they are so light. So far, I have not really missed having a dedicated macro, so I hope you have fun!

[OK_to_Point]

Thanks for the tips......I'm waiting for the weather to get a bit warmer and the flowers to open a bit more too......I have a nifty-fifty, a 18-55 and a 70-300, which lens would you recommend trying with the tubes? thanks again...

[photog1107]

I have always had much better luck with the longer focal length (my 70-300). When I tried them with a shorter lens, I found that my focusing distance was much too close (not optically, through the lens, but rather, physically too close--I nearly ran into my subjects which wasn't practical). With the telephoto, you can give yourself a foot or two of working distance--or even several feet at times--which gives you more leeway in setting up the shot.

Good luck! While you are waiting for the really good subjects, it's a great idea to just practice with some leaves, blades of grass--anything so you'll be more comfortable when the perfect subject comes along. I look forward to seeing some posts!

[OK_to_Point]

Thanks for the info......I'll get some shots and let you know how they come out.....thanks again.....