Inspiring Photo: Nile Lily #11725661

Nile Lily

Uploaded: May 08, 2011 14:45:02

Description

Taken with a Lensbaby, single lens optic, +10 macro attachment.

Exif: Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/750 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, Model: Canon EOS 40D

Comments

Anthony L. Mancuso May 08, 2011

I like the muted colors and flowing lines of this Leslie..I think the soft focus also works well. I do find that white piece of flower thats near the dead center to be distracting because it seems sharper than the rest of the image and I think it interrupts the flow of the petal its on. I think I would clone it out rather than soften it.

I have heard of Lensbabies before but not sure how they differ from other lenses... #1375491

Jeff E Jensen May 09, 2011

Very cool, Leslie! I agree with Tony on the bit of white in the middle, it could go and wouldn't be missed.

Tony - I've never shot a lensbay, but I have a couple of friends that have them and really enjoy playing around with them. Their design really allows you to play with your DOF and your focal point. Here's a little more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lensbaby #9396142

Michael Kelly May 09, 2011

Very interesting shot Leslie. I have to admit it is very foreign to my style, but comes across with a lot of beauty.

I have looked at the adds and sample shots for Lensbaby, but have never had a desire to own one. As above, I just think it produces shots that are to far away from my photo taste. #9396297

Leslie D. Regal May 09, 2011

Thanks, Anthony and Jeff. I'll see if I can convincingly get rid of that intrusive white petal in the middle.

Michael, Lensbaby is definitely an acquired taste. I'm not 100% behind it myself, but I shoot a lot of flowers and macro and I like it for that. I used a single glass optic, which deliberately makes the focus soft. Here's a shot with a normal optic and an actual point of focus. #9396331

Leslie D. Regal May 09, 2011

OK, here's an edit. I'm not sure how I feel about it this way. Usually after a week or two I'll revisit a shot and wonder what the heck I was thinking. #9396370

Peter W. Marks May 09, 2011

I really don't have anything constructive to say about this image Leslie. It is kind of like Mike says, just not my style. There is nothing I can see wrong with it but it just leaves me blank and not knowing what to say. #9396379

Jeff E Jensen May 09, 2011

Leslie wins the prize!!!! She managed to make Peter speechless!!

Sorry, Pete, I couldn't resist :o) #9396402

Aimee C. Eisaman May 09, 2011

Trying to keep an open mind on this one and look at it as more of an abstract piece. I do like the colors and how it seems to flow almost like a liquid due to the soft focus. I agree about that one middle point of focus and think your fix worked to alleviate that. With an image like this I would suggest some sort of texture or painterly filter to cement the fact that the out of focus nature of the shot was fully intentional. :~) #9396406

Teresa H. Hunt May 09, 2011

This is really beautiful. I love the colors and the flow of the image.

I agree that the little white spot needed to go. The flow of the image works much better. But I think I can see evidence of it being cloned out. #9396445

Anthony L. Mancuso May 09, 2011

I think the edit is an improvement, but as Teresa implied, I think cloning out the remainder of that area would be beneficial. #9396817

Rita K. Connell May 09, 2011

I really like this alot I like the dreamy like feel that it has. the colors are beautiful and the way it flows is very nice. I think you are on the right track for cloning out the white center it does mess up the flow. I would definitely keep working on it.

I am very impressed also that you got pete speechless.....that truely is a first.....LOL #9397005

Stephen Shoff May 09, 2011

I really like this soft look and flowing lines. The stamen are well placed. I disagree somewhat with the suggestions, I think that is a pretty large blank spot with that center element removed. Toning it down at least some might be worth trying. #9397058

Peter W. Marks May 10, 2011

.............or as Emily Dickinson wrote.
"“Saying nothing...sometimes says the most.”

or "With friends like Jeff and Rita, who needs enemies? #9397247

Debbie E. Payne May 10, 2011

I think your original is best. I like its soft, out-of-focus look and feel to it. It almost is suggesting "motion". I think I'd leave it be as the abstract it is. LensBabies do create these types of images. Is yours one of the new ones or is it the earlier version where you have to hold it down manually? I have the older version and haven't used it much in a while. #9398034

Leslie D. Regal May 10, 2011

Thanks Debbie. I think I like the original better, although I may try to soften the middle part a little and blend it more into the rest of the flower.

I have a LensBaby Composer, which has a ring you can lock into place. Much easier than the earlier versions. There's an even newer one, that allows you to change apertures with a dial instead of dropping them in. I like the Lensbaby for flowers and such. #9398091

Carla Capra Anderson May 10, 2011

Hi Leslie;
I'm a bit late, its been pretty busy and hectic here.

I love the artistic feel to this image. The colors are very soft and appealing; esp. with these being my fav's. I also, think your composition works well. I'm just curious where your focus point is on this? Was it the petal you removed? I prefer your original post. Very lovely.
;) CC #9398611

Beth Spencer May 11, 2011

I'm coming in late again on this one. I like the colors and flow. I prefer the original. This is a different style and very abstract. #9400348

Susan M. Reynolds May 17, 2011

Looks like it's about 1/2 & !/2 for the effect created with the Lensbaby-my first impression before reading any comments was that it was elegant and dreamy. I can picture a soft breeze carressing the flowers to make them dance in harmony with the spring & finding in the new blossoms a kindred spirit with which to frolic.
So, Yes, I really do like the original with that center perhaps toned down a bit but not cloned out.
I have the Lensbaby that's called "The Control Freak" which descriptions says it's is an ideal selective focus lens for tabletop & macro photography. You can compress and bend the lens to find your desired Sweet Spot, & then lock it in place with the push of a button. Once locked, you can fine focus using the barrel focusing ring & fine tune the tilt with the Control Freak's three metal posts.
I bought it in '07 at my first Better Photo Summit when I saw some slides that Tony Sweet had made using it...but I've yet to figure it out myself. Maybe I need to read the directions?
Kudos on your EP Leslie! #9408295

Susan M. Reynolds May 19, 2011

I found a link for Lensbaby tutorials if anyone is interested? http://www.lensbaby.com/video.php
#9412764

Randy D. Dinkins June 22, 2011

Congrats on your finalist. I think the judges took the focused area into account when they chose. I like the color and dreamy look of the lensbaby (although I don't have one, and probably won't), but like the effect. In fact, unlike the comments above, I like the one focal point that the petal provides. Cheers on your finalist, good luck! #9475644

Beth Spencer June 22, 2011

Congratulations! #9475755

Teresa H. Hunt June 23, 2011

Congratulations!! :) #9478797

Rita K. Connell June 23, 2011

congratulations I really like the feel of this one. #9478906

Dale Hardin June 23, 2011

congratulations Leslie. Missed this shot earlier. Guess it was when I was on my trip. I can see you getting many more of these. #9479973

Susan M. Reynolds June 23, 2011

Kudos and congrats...I truly loved this one and am so glad it made finalist. Good luck in the next round!
#9480544

Jeff E Jensen June 24, 2011

Congrats, Leslie! #9481974

Michael Kelly June 25, 2011

Wonderful Leslie - I am certain this will be the first of many, but the first time you see the finalist tag on one of your shots is very exciting. Congratulations! #9484665

Merna L. Nobile July 04, 2011

Congratulations to all of the Award Winners for May 2011. Merna

#9506203

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