Fresh Perspectives on Flower Macros

[wulf]

It is probably true that the world doesn't have a pressing need for yet more flower macros... at least not straight on shots, pretty as they are. When I shot my bottlebrush shrub (Callistemon citrinus) last month as it came into bloom, I played around with some different angles to get some fresh results. Here is the one I was most pleased with (more on Flickr):



This is straight from camera and arguably could benefit from cropping or perhaps even rotation. However, it does take the flower and, through the wonders of the macro lens, turn it into something strange and wonderful.

What examples have you got of macro flower shots that aren't just head on?

Wulf

[kasey]

hi wulf

i like what you did, it is interesting with the bottom cropped off, up to just below the longest part on the right side. if you try it again i'd like to see what happens with more depth of field so all are in focus.

here's a few of mine not head on, i'm kind of rushed for time so haven't sized for DPS so here are the links.

http://www.pbase.com/kclanin/image/94841386

http://www.pbase.com/kclanin/image/96649239

http://www.pbase.com/kclanin/image/94333541

have a great day.

[wulf]

Too late for that - that flower is now pretty much gone so I will have to look for fresh perspectives on other blooms.

Were your shots done in a studio setting or did you use post-processing to get the black background?

Wulf

[kasey]

the first one, columbine, was done out doors on the plant, background was the inside of the shadowed carport.

the second one, the cactus blossom, was on the plant but in the house next to a north facing sliding glass window with a black sheet hung behind it, i did use a reflector to bounce a little natural light back into dark side.

the daisy i did pick and did it in similar setting as the cactus. all 3 are all natural light, no flash.

so get something to create a black backdrop for your bottlebrush -- i need to get a black fold-up reflector that is portable -- and try it, sure makes the subject pop.

[daft_biker]

I tend not to do many flower shots but had to find something to try a Canon 180mm macro lens on....



Mostly I wanted to see how nice the bokeh was. I think it passed the test! Shame it's not my lens Quite like the pic tho

[KodiakStar]

Took a couple this morning with this thread in mind