Petals Pink
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Some color, for a change!
In processing, I experimented with layering channels in Luminosity mode to selectively deepen some areas of red and brighten the yellows. The result is different than using curves in Luminosity mode, and can also be achieved using a Black and White adjustment layer—though channels seem easier for me to “see”.
- Dark pink R:161 G:86 B:108
- Yellow R:171 G:143 B:94
- Light pink R:211 G:156 B:171
In: Still Life · Tagged with: droplet, petal, tulip
Floral Study №5: Three Nymphs
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Continuing to explore the idea of floral nudes, and work with light in my “dark room”, this image was exposed for 4 sec @ f8, ISO 200 under low illumination with a diffused, hand held mini-maglite top front left.
Processing involved converting to b&w using channels, and split toning with both warm and cool gray gradient maps— courtesy of TLR B&W Toning actions¹ (free) for Photoshop. It was finished with a slight reveal of original color in the flower centers.
We’re supposed to get our first significant snowfall in weeks over the next couple of days—yea! I’m so anxious to get outdoors to photograph, for a change.
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¹I haven’t visited that site in a while, and see they also have split toning actions. I’ll have to give those a try!
- Warm gray R:131 G:125 :B120
- Cool gray R:142 G:144 B:153
- Gray-green R:143 G:137 B:116
In: Still Life · Tagged with: black and white, chrysanthemum, flower, split toning
Floral Study №4
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A combination of split toning, molecular gastronomy, and a touch of cabin fever.
One month closer to spring! Meanwhile, winter is a good time to experiment.
- White R:190 G:192 B:17
- Blue R:60 G:91 B:129
- Gray R:119 G:132 B:145
In: Still Life · Tagged with: droplet, flower, split toning
Floral Study №3: Sunflower
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Still stuck indoors with frigid temperatures and no snow cover—read, “messy and severely clear”—this image is another experiment with light painting.
One advantage in winter is time to explore things pushed to the back burner during nice weather, such as FocalPoint 2. (I don’t yet have a Lensbaby.)
- Green R:62 G:65 B:3
- Orange R:162 G:102 B:3
- Yellow R:206 G:175 B:89
In: Still Life · Tagged with: flower, FocalPoint, light painting
Floral Study №2: Exposed
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Continuing to explore the idea of “floral nudes”, this image is back lit with a Mini Maglite which can focus down to a spot. (Choose black, so it won’t show up when painting with light! My first was red; oops.)
The flashlight was diffused with a filter from Roscoe’s free sample packs. A lighting store found nearby carries Roscoe and Lee in various flavors, and gave me 2 packs of each to play with. 
- Light gray R:196 G:196 B:196
- Dark gray R:55 G:55 B:55
- Medium gray R:119 G:119 B:119
In: Still Life · Tagged with: black and white, flower
Floral Study №1
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This image is the start of an investigation into what I hope will become a series of floral “nudes”. Photographed under low illumination with a touch of light painting, the intent was to emphasize the curve of the “spine”.
It’s early days yet, but at the very least I expect to learn more about controlling light and shadow while exploring form. We’ll see where it leads!
- Light gray R:221 G:221 B:226
- Dark gray R:80 G:80 B:80
- Medium gray R:144 G:144 B:144
In: Still Life · Tagged with: black and white, flower
Still Life with Glass №1
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The other day, I began to experiment with light painting for The Mindful Eye Assignment #20. This image is the result of using a tiny LED taped to a chopstick as a “brush” in a darkened room. Each stroke was about 1 second up and 1 second down: 169 s @ f4, ISO 200.
One thing I learned was to turn in-camera noise reduction off until I got a feel for the scene and technique, because that takes as long to process as it does to paint. A final version was made with noise reduction on, because I found the Nikon D300 does a better job initially than either DxO Optics Pro or Noise Nijna—though I also used both in finishing.
There are a number of variations I want to try when forced indoors this winter!
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Colors of the day:
- Platinum light R:136 G:129 B:118
- Platinum dark R:60 G:57 B:52
In: Still Life · Tagged with: glass, light painting