A Few of my favorite from Hedgecoe project

[jcdeboever]

Looking for ways to get a little more creative but it's hard to do on location. I have been studying focus stacking but I am hesitant at bringing in a tripod at a botanical garden. Do you think that would be an issue? Also been reading up on Hedgecoes approach to flowers.

1. I was really focused on the angle, DOF, dark background, and composition. D7200, Sigma 105 macro, f/5.6, 1/125s, ISO360, center weight metering. Hedgecoe said to think about different ways to frame in order to create interest.

2. Not the most creative but I was drawn to the line and colors. Goal to get whole flower in focus while creating separation from busy background. Hedgecoe taught me to look for color composition as well, in this, the purple edges form a triangle, something he said to look for. f/8, 1/40s handheld, ISO500, center weighted metering.

3. Get in close. Hedgecoe said to look for natures angles and try to exploit them. This is one I would want to focus stack. f/8, 1/40s handheld, ISO800, center weighted metering.

 

[Gary A.]

Hedgecoe is spot-on ... you've done a good job of execution. Most botanical gardens out here are parklike, spacious with little congested foot traffic, so nobody complains about tripods. If there are no anti-tripod signs ... then go for it. In a congested area tripods are a hazard ... if it's not congested people are curious and respectful of the 'pro' at work.

 

[jcdeboever]

Hedgecoe is spot-on ... you've done a good job of execution. Most botanical gardens out here are parklike, spacious with little congested foot traffic, so nobody complains about tripods. If there are no anti-tripod signs ... then go for it. In a congested area tripods are a hazard ... if it's not congested people are curious and respectful of the 'pro' at work.

Thanks Gary. I called them but they needed to check and would call me back... that was 3 days ago.

 

[Gary A.]

PS- The last image of the orchid would benefit from stacking ... but I like how you rotated the image placing the modified petal at 2 o'clock when normal it is at 6 o'clock. Adds a bit of twist to the shot. That single modified petal is a very advanced feature in a plant and is designed as a landing platform for pollinators.

 

[Gary A.]

Hedgecoe is spot-on ... you've done a good job of execution. Most botanical gardens out here are parklike, spacious with little congested foot traffic, so nobody complains about tripods. If there are no anti-tripod signs ... then go for it. In a congested area tripods are a hazard ... if it's not congested people are curious and respectful of the 'pro' at work.

Thanks Gary. I called them but they needed to check and would call me back... that was 3 days ago.

No! No! No! ... it is always better to apologize than to request. In a bureaucracy, it is much easier to say "No", than "Yes". Bureaucrats rarely get in trouble for saying no ... but saying yes is a liability especially if there isn't any rules covering said request and they have to make a judgement call.

 

[jcdeboever]

PS- The last image of the orchid would benefit from stacking ... but I like how you rotated the image placing the modified petal at 2 o'clock when normal it is at 6 o'clock. Adds a bit of twist to the shot. That single modified petal is a very advanced feature in a plant and is designed as a landing platform for pollinators.

Yes, I think this a feature of the macro that should be exploited per @tirediron's recommendation. I have added the plug in's to Gimp and have been experimenting, steep learning curve and it hurts my butt to be sitting in post for so long but I think it will be worth it. The challenge is in the alignment so I may have to get a better tripod. Unfortunately, a quality light meter is at the top of my tool list at this time.

 

[jcdeboever]

Hedgecoe is spot-on ... you've done a good job of execution. Most botanical gardens out here are parklike, spacious with little congested foot traffic, so nobody complains about tripods. If there are no anti-tripod signs ... then go for it. In a congested area tripods are a hazard ... if it's not congested people are curious and respectful of the 'pro' at work.

Thanks Gary. I called them but they needed to check and would call me back... that was 3 days ago.

No! No! No! ... it is always better to apologize than to request. In a bureaucracy, it is much easier to say "No", than "Yes". Bureaucrats rarely get in trouble for saying no ... but saying yes is a liability especially if there isn't any rules covering said request and they have to make a judgement call.

Lol. OK, I will just go for it. The lady volunteer sounded 100 years old so she probably forgot 5 minutes after the call.

 

[astroNikon]

At AA, Outside I see no problem with a tripod, but inside a tripod could work downstairs in the middle area but some of the areas especially upstairs are cramped as it is (outside wall/windows to inside wall), and a tripod would prevent people walking past once the legs are extended, essentially blocking movement (hazard to the ppl and your camera). Just think of, or lack of foot space there is especially in the indoor areas that are built up from the ground.

I've been flipping through one of my Hedgecoe books lately too.

 

[Gary A.]

What's your thoughts on a light meter? The meters in a modern digital camera are quite good, btw.

 

[smoke665]

I bought an inexpensive focus rail off ebay to explore the technique. Found out quickly you get what you pay for. It did allow me the opportunity to try it, but to get good results especially at macro level you'll need to drop some change on equipment. For me other "wants" had more priority

 

[astroNikon]

FYI, with a tripod, I'd want to use one that has an extending arm. Otherwise your shots are limited to a vertical plane in relation to the location of the tripod. Of course, it becomes hard to see - flippy screen or start using the cellphone app to view and release.

 

[jcdeboever]

What's your thoughts on a light meter? The meters in a modern digital camera are quite good, btw.

I just want one for flash in the studio.

 

[jcdeboever]

FYI, with a tripod, I'd want to use one that has an extending arm. Otherwise your shots are limited to a vertical plane in relation to the location of the tripod. Of course, it becomes hard to see - flippy screen or start using the cellphone app to view and release.

I have looked at the monopods that have the feet. I think all I want to do is settle in on a flower composition and than take multiple shots with various focus points. Than stack them to bring the whole composition in focus.

The other thought I had was to get a 40mm macro lens, and use distance to bring all in focus, then crop in post. Not as creative but may cut down on the post work.