In lieu of the “why and the how” feature, I will rather go simpler this time as the subject matter of this photograph calls for just that.
It is very tempting as a photographer to always go for the big, bold, dramatic and all inclusive scenery. However, when one stops to look around, beauty can truly be found just about anywhere. So on my way to Eunice Lake in Washington state last week, I stumbled upon this plant (frankly don’t ask me what it’s called) that immediately jumped at me. I immediately saw some patterns and cools light/shadow plays that really looked appealing. As I worked the subject further, I just kept simplifying and simplifying some more until I ended up focus on just a single tip of a leaf.
At this point, I could have used a wide open lens at f/2.8 to single out that tip, however, I knew that doing that would basically render a featureless image. I also knew that it wouldn’t take advantage of the neat accordion-like leaves of the plant. From then on, it was simply a matter of stopping down the lens a bit more (f/9). In this way, I managed to bring the shadows back only enough to show, but without being completely in focus, thus adding some much needed texture to the image.
So, how did I do? I would love to hear your thoughts (even if you think I failed miserably 
).
MOROCCO 2012 TOUR
Ottawa Workshops 2012
Click here to visit Craft And Vision.
“Failed miserably” – LOL
It’s great, no doubt about it. I rarely take macro shots, but it’s really great to read “behind the scenes” – It gave me much to think about.
A lovely, subtle image, Younes!
- Jack
I like it. It’s very green though. I think I would have preferred the leaf tip in sharper focus w/ a shallower DOF – simply because it seems that’s what I’m looking at anyway – I’m not seeing the accordion leaf etc.
It is a neat image, and a very cool shape though. Good on you for drilling down and simplifying.
Thanks for the feedback everyone!
Jeff: I didn’t touch the saturation at all, this is the image as imported in ACR, but I see your point and could desaturate the greens a bit. As for the “accordion leaf”, I didn’t actually mean to show it, all I wanted is get the dark streaks to give the image some interest instead of being plain green, going for further DOF would have been a bit boring imo. As for the tip of the leaf, it is unfortunately a limitation of the system, unless I could have a tilt/macro lens, there is no way I could focus on the entire tip while defocusing the rest of the image with my current setup, though I grant you, that would have been really neat