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Flaming Cactus

© Stephen Shoff

Flaming Cactus

Uploaded: May 22, 2013

Description

f/9, 1/50 sec, ISO 649,; EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro

Exif: F Number: 9, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/50 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 640, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 100.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 50D

Comments

Stephen Shoff May 22, 2013

Posted for feedback and suggestions.

Photographic intent: abstract fine art

Processing: RAW image imported through ACR to CS6 with no adjustments or cropping. Spent time working through the Color Efex Pro presets and experimented some with the global controls on many of the presets. Finally settled on a Viveza interpretation instead with decreases in brightness as structure and increases in contrast and saturation.

In CS6, reduced the opacity pf the Viveza layer to about 60% and added a small amount of desaturation to the greens.

I'd like to note for those have asked recently about the value of the NIK plugins...using the plugins was an easy way to look for potential interpretations. In Viveza, all the controls necessary were available in a single panel, i.e. ease of use, rather than having to build a set of layers in CS6. However, after settling on an interpretation, it was pretty easy to duplicate the effect in both CS6 and ACR. This interpretation, although possibly pushing the limits on saturation and contrast, is consistent with my pre-visualization when I took the image.

This interpretation is pretty true to the original color values although the increased saturation and contrast make it much more colorful. As I worked through the Color Efex Pro presets and some of the color intents, this image provides immense flexibility to tailor the color pallette to nearly any color scheme desired. #1529293

Susan Williams May 23, 2013

Stephen, I like this image a lot as an abstract and fine art photography. The only thing I would do at this point is reduce what appears to be noise, especially in the greens. #10703778

Dale Hardin May 23, 2013

I think your rendition works well Stephen. I see what Susan detects as noise but don't view it that way since the specks are elongated and appear to be texture.

the interruption in flow at the bottom of the large leaf on the right, does dominate the view though. I would suggest extending it down to cover the large expanse of green. Do not recommend a crop because it would eliminate key elements in the lower part of the oomp. #10703841

Stephen Shoff May 23, 2013

It isn't noise, Susan, it is stipling on the surfaces of the leaves. Not to say it doesn't need to be dealt with, just don't know how to approach it. It is much larger in size than noise. #10703842

Dale Hardin May 23, 2013

Stephen, if you do not like the look on the green areas, you can redo the Nik procedure after first selecting the green areas and placing them on another layer.

You can then apply different approaches to each element. #10703849

Peter W. Marks May 23, 2013

So Stephen, they are not sticks of rhubarb then :0)
It certainly works for me as a fine-art image but I agree with Dale that it might be better with that abrupt cut-off of the main leaf extended to the bottom.
I do not have any of the Nik plugins so I have no idea what effects you guys are talking about with those. I have Topaz Adjust5 ; B&W2; Detail 3; and Simplify4 plugin filters and those are more than enough to have me reaching for the aspirin bottle. #10704061

Stephen Shoff May 23, 2013

Nope, Peter. In my environs, this color combination is likely to come from yucca and eucalyptus, not from rhubarb. Although as a kid in Morro Bay, we did have a neighbor that grew rhubarb and would give us a pie occassionally. Ugly plant. Looks a lot like some weeds I have to pull. But love rhubarb pie. #10704067

Dale Hardin May 23, 2013

Betty would never make rhubarb pie for me even though she knew I loved it. She said she could not find any pie tins long and narrow enough. #10704156

Rita K. Connell level-classic May 23, 2013

I really like this one I really like the the colors and lines. To me it doesn't look like noise, on my monitor it looks like the texture of the leaf. the Viveza is probably my most favorite plugin #10704186

Peter W. Marks May 23, 2013

That had me laughing Dale! #10704195

Kalena Randall May 23, 2013

I like this one, too! Pete, you're funny! Love the sense of humor! #10704255

Jeff E Jensen May 23, 2013

I agree with Dale's assessment of the large leaf. Otherwise, looks good!

My grandma used to make rhubarb desert. Kind of a cross between pie and cake. Oh man was it good stuff! #10704332

Stephen Shoff May 23, 2013

suggested edit #10704532

Dale Hardin May 23, 2013

Now, THAT is very cool!!! Excellent, Stephen. #10704544

Jeff E Jensen May 24, 2013

Yup, works well. #10704752

Beth Spencer May 24, 2013

Great edit and love the colors and lines. #10704764

Stephen Shoff May 24, 2013

OK, but what is the title and message? We've lost any resemblance for "fire" since we no longer have the several candle flame-like elements. #10705126

Dale Hardin May 24, 2013

You're thinking too hard Stephen. The elements are still all there as far as I can see. #10705136

Michael Kelly level-classic May 25, 2013

I love them as a fine art abstract. Some of the best I have seen coming from a photo. To me they both work and have a slightly different feel. In the original I can see the curve of the green leaves (plant body or whatever it is) hiding the red brown at the base of the spikes and I like that an miss it in the last post. Either one would work well printed and hanging on the wall. #10706125

Elaine Hessler May 25, 2013

Well, I kinda like the extra green in the first one-but to each his/her own. It is a great image nevertheless.

Thank you so much for explaining what you did. If I buy the Nik software, there are going to be a lot more "how did you do this???" So thanks for the explanation.

As for rhubarb, when we were little we would pull up our neighbors rhubarb plants and chew on the stems. A good thing we didn't eat the leaves! You've got me in the mood for strawberry rhubarb pie now. Who's going to bake me one??? #10706178

Rita K. Connell level-classic May 25, 2013

oh I vote for the edit it looks even better. colorful lines is what I see.

Not me Elaine don't like rhubarb....yuck! #10706413

Stephen Shoff May 25, 2013

Thank you all for your comments. Yes, Dale, I do take myself too seriously and overthink things. That reality check is one of the most valuable aspects of posting to a group like this. Thank you. But thank you, too, Mike and Elaine, for your comments. Glad my preference for the original isn't totally off the mark.

Guess this means I have to keep both versions. #10706486

lisa anderson May 26, 2013

sorry i'm late to this stephen. I think this is very beautiful as abstract fine art. on the left hand side, I think i'd prefer a different colour in the background; i'd like to see more green also. #10706829

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