“Self Critique” Project: When I Grow Up

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Michael Brown at â€œMacro Art In Natureâ€ is running a “self critique” photo blog project for images falling into the theme of “Flora/Foliage (Up close)”. I’m not a dedicated macro photographer, but I do enjoy experimenting in this area. More than anything I’m looking forward to seeing what others who read his blog submit as part of the project. For your viewing pleasure…

When I Grow Up dalia macro photo by Jim M. Goldstein
click here to enlarge

Although I find floral macro photos to be among the most beautiful genre of images, I seldom take advantage of opportunities to capture such images. This image is one of two images that I feel represents my best floral macro photograph. What attracted me to this subject is the story of new and old as well as the flower structure. The contrast of bloom cycles for the Dalia and flower color is what helps provide the photos visual impact. I’ve also been told that the title resonates with viewers adding to their enjoyment of the photo.

Taken on an overcast day for even lighting this might have been improved if had used a diffuser to minimize the glare at the top of the Dalia bud in the foreground. I didn’t focus on this component of the image as much as I had focused more on the composition and selection of depth of field. One major flaw to this image was dozens if not a hundred spots, mostly small, from a dirty sensor. Spotting this image was a major chore and if I were to do this again I’d clean my sensor before the shoot. Hopefully I didn’t miss any spots.

Having recently printed a 16×12 of this image the detail and sharpness is spot on. This high level of detail and sharpness is something I had aimed for when preparing this shot. Looking at this image online or in print I’m continually fascinated by the emerging petal structure in the bud. Dahlias are a fascinating flower and I look forward to experimenting with them more in future macro shoots.

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Posted by Jim on 06.10.2007 at 12:51 pm
Tagged: Macro, Photography

jim

Thank you Minna :) I'll be sure to keep going on my efforts to shoot floral macros.
Minna

A triffid! I can't shake the feeling but I just keep thinking that the bud is an eye... It definitely takes this picture to a whole new dimension!

Excellent choice of DOF. The background is blurry enough not to distract, and detailed enough to understand that it's the full bloom.

The glare on top doesn't really bother me. Maybe using a diffuser would've helped, or alternatively, a reflector to fill out the shadows under the bud so the contrast isn't so big. Either way, I definitely like this picture and I hope that you will keep on shooting floral macros!
jim

Thanks Andrew :)
Andrew Ferguson

I really like the idea of using the full flower as the background for shooting the bud.

I'm often quick to dismiss flower macro photography as a type of photography that has nothing new or exciting happen in it. Just the same stuff over and over again.

Then every once in a while, I see a shot that proves me wrong and makes me re-evaluate. This is one of them.
jim

Robert sorry about the confusion. If you click on the image displayed on the linked page it will expand to over 800 pixels wide.

Thanks for the comment and the technical assessment on the MegaPixel value of the blog image :)
robert7

I like the image very much. Colors, composition, backround - really great!

(There is a bit pity, that you only show the image in such small resolution. I know, you are afraid that someone will steal it... :) Just for fun I calculated the resolution without the border - it's ~0.16 MPix.
Truly I don't understand the link 'click here to enlarge' because the image which is displayed afterwards, is even a bit smaller than the version in the article itself.. ;) )

But most important is, that the image is great! Congratulation.
Rafa

Great macro shot in terms of idea, composition and color. And double kudos if you took it out there in the field rather than at your home/studio.
jim

You have to be pretty comfortable with yourself and the prospect of making a fool of yourself when taking macro photos in public. A lot of great macro work is done in the privacy of ones home or studio. I myself like to get out, get dirty and make a fool of myself.
Richard

I like looking at good macro myself but it kind of drives me nuts to shoot it because it requires so much precision. Gotta be a contortionist and have aches afterwards.