Inspiring Photo: How To #2281719

How To [20858 Special Effects ]

Uploaded: June 20, 2006 06:37:35

Description

2nd Place Win
6/20/06
Special Effects

This is dedicated to beginners who want to know
how to accomplish abstract flower photography.
This shot was taken hand held while I selectively
focused on a thistle flower. I purposely allowed
movement of subject (due to breeze) to achieve a
more abstract feeling. Camera settings were:
1/500th of a second at f/5.6. Taken with a 105mm
macro lens. To get really close I attached a
50mm prime lens reversed onto the front of my
macro using a lens reversing ring.

Comments

Melissa G. Meiselman June 20, 2006

Wonderful intention, Sharon...and stunning result. Love the painterly look with some sharp detail remaining, reminding us that this is a flower. Great job, Sharon. Hope you do more instructional images!!! #468582

Tonya R. Boles June 20, 2006

Great job, thanks for the info as well..Maybe someday I'll figure this out.. lol #2919872

Sharon Day June 20, 2006

Thank you, Melissa and Tonya! Tonya, all I did was screw an old Canon 50mm prime lens I have to the front of my macro lens. Both lenses have a 52mm thread size. At Adorama you can purchase lens reversing rings just for this combination. The DOF is very shallow. Almost any image taken with the aperture open wide will accomplish an abstract flower image. The only problem with the Canon FD lenses is the aperture will not stay open all the way unless you cut out the back of a rear lens cap and leave it on the back of the lens. It works fine with the lens cap attached. It looks a bit like a tiny lens hood. #2919903

Sharon Day June 20, 2006

Here are a couple of photos to show the setup used. #2919998

Deb Holmes-Hatfield June 20, 2006

Very cool technique Sharon, I really like the color of this! #2920024

Barbara Helgason June 20, 2006

Really? I didn't know you could do that! Reverse a lens!! Ha ha how cool is that, I guess it's like reversing binoculars, well... not exactly but in a way. Anyways, thanks for sharing, I learned something new today. Oh and beautiful results Sharon! :) #2920083

Carolyn M. Fletcher June 20, 2006

Well aren't you just the best teacher! Cool! #2920104

Irene M. Biery June 20, 2006

I am glad that I checked the message board today... thanks for the lesson.

Irene #2920105

Laura Clay-Ballard June 20, 2006

before long you'll be teaching classes at BP! LOVE your thoughtfulness in helping others. Super shot and instruction. #2920174

Aldwin L. Ong June 20, 2006

What a calming work of art! and I didn't know either reversing your lens was possible hehe... I really appreciate your selflessness Sharon... God bless u! c",) #2920236

Sherry Stricklin Boles June 20, 2006

Gorgeous, Sharon...I just really like the softness of this shot! Wow, a real beauty! #2920259

Paul Michko June 20, 2006

Amazing creation, Sharon. #2920271

June 20, 2006

Stunning, Sharon. A very nice example of abstract creativity with a camera. #2920609

Paula L. Mackey June 20, 2006

Your image is a blessing to my eye, and your in depth instructions are a blessing to my perception. Thank you so much, Sharon! #2920722

Corinne M. Thompson June 20, 2006

What a beautiful image and I just love the color too....thanks for sharing your method of achieving this! :) #2920978

Susan T. Parady June 20, 2006

Gorgeous colors; this is a really beautiful image, Sharon. Thank you for the instructions! #2921338

Dr Silly June 20, 2006

If you do not have a reversing ring, ducktape works. :O)
#2921476

Sharon Day June 20, 2006

Thank you all for such nice compliments! LOL Doc! Ducktape works for just about everything! #2922236

Jim Kinnunen June 20, 2006

This is a very cool image and your helpful tips are fantastic, Sharon!!! Just Excellent!!! #2922932

Jaclyn Klassen June 26, 2006

Wow, very cool! That's awesome that you took the time to explain all that! Great job! #2954549

Michael Khoury June 27, 2006

very well done indeed! #2958414

Susan Jane Allen June 29, 2006

I told you that you were a great teacher! It was very thoughtful of you to think of us beginners! I'd like to see more. And, the instructional photos you took of your setup are great images in themselves! #2966441

Graeme yew Chow July 24, 2006

Sharon, congrats !! #3072489

Barbara Helgason July 24, 2006

Congratulations Sharon on this beautiful finalist, loved it the first time I saw it!! #3072490

Susana Ms Heide July 24, 2006

CONGRATULATIONS Sharon on this beautiful abstract finalist! I wish you good luck in the next round!! I also appreciate the detailed explanation of how this shot was achieved. It's people like you that make BP the learning community it is! THANKS! #3072808

Cesar J. La Rosa July 24, 2006

Congratulations on this BEAUTIFUL Finalist, Sharon!!! #3072881

Jim Kinnunen July 24, 2006

Congratulations on this most excellent image and finalist, Sharon!!! #3072883

Phil Sauvey July 24, 2006

Very beautiful Sharon and well deserved. Your talent shows and you are not afraid to share it. Thank you for all of your help with my questions and your are a great inspiration to me, and many others I'm sure. Best of luck on round 2! #3072939

Susan Jane Allen July 24, 2006

Super congrats, Sharon! #3073047

Pat Gamwell July 24, 2006

BIG CONGRATS, Sharon! #3073139

Su Sana E. P July 24, 2006

Sharon, Congratulations on this fabulous Finalist! #3073557

Stanley J. Contrades July 25, 2006

CONGRATULATIONS, Sharon, and best of luck to you in the next judging with all of your Finalists!!
Much Aloha,
Stan #3073894

Candice C. Calhoun July 25, 2006

Congratulations!

ccc #3073927

July 25, 2006

Congratulations on this beautiful finalist Sharon ! #3074284

Aldwin L. Ong July 25, 2006

Congratulations Sharon! c",) #3074478

Laurence Saliba July 25, 2006

Congratulations, Sharon!! #3075199

Wendy Stevenson July 25, 2006

Wow you really cleaned up this month Sharon - Congratulations on THIS and all your other BEAUTIFUL finalist - best of luck in the next round!! #3075475

Jenny Bosmans July 25, 2006

Congratulations on this beautiful finalist, Sharon! :) #3076295

Chris Budny July 25, 2006

I missed this... beautiful results! Congratulations, and thanks for sharing the tips! #3076437

Dr Silly July 25, 2006

Congratulations on your finals Sharon. Love the silky look. :O)
#3077739

Rakesh Syal July 25, 2006

Great job, Congrats!! #3078587

Jill Flynn July 25, 2006

Congratulations on your finalist Sharon! #3078829

Tamera S. Phillips July 25, 2006

Just lovely Sharon. Congrats on your finalist. #3080275

Sherry Stricklin Boles July 25, 2006

Fantastic tutorial and finalist, Sharon! #3081153

Cora Miller July 25, 2006

Congratulations, Sharon! This is an outstanding abstract and very worthy of being a winner. One of those I wish was mine. :) #3081440

Casey A. Hanson July 26, 2006

Beautiful work, my dear...this should go all the way! It is magnificent!
Congrats an all your finalists! :0) #3083469

Ken Smith July 26, 2006

Great job and congrats on your multiple finalists. #3083704

Sharon Day July 26, 2006

Thank you all for the congrats on this finalist! I appreciate every one of you for taking the time! #3086824

Kara L. Hendricks July 26, 2006

Congrats on this wonderful finalist... Good luck in the next round!! #3087118

Gregg Johnstun July 27, 2006

Thanks for the lesson, but more importantly, thanks for the beautiful image. Congrats. Good luck in the next round. I hope you win. #3091407

Sylvia Rossler July 27, 2006

Big congrats on this beautiful winner Sharon :O) #3092390

Su Sana E. P July 27, 2006

Congratulations on your Win, Sharon!! #3092441

Darryl Wilkinson July 27, 2006

Sharon, Congratulations on your 2nd place win! WTG! #3092444

Pat Gamwell July 27, 2006

BIG CONGRATS on the GOLD one, Sharon! #3092514

Susan Jane Allen July 27, 2006

Congrats, Sharon!!! #3092589

Graeme yew Chow July 27, 2006

Sharon, big congrats on this awesome work. Cheers! #3092594

Stanley J. Contrades July 27, 2006

CONGRATULATIONS on your 2nd Place Win, Sharon!
Much Aloha,
Stan #3092614

Gregg Johnstun July 28, 2006

I thought you'd win. Congrats. #3092702

Deborah Lewinson July 28, 2006

Hearty congrats on your win, Sharon, WTG!
-Debby #3093094

Michelle R. Kovach July 28, 2006

Congratulations Sharon! #3093238

Wally Orlowsky July 28, 2006

Congratulations on this wonderful and informative winner, Sharon!
#3093269

Jenny Bosmans July 28, 2006

Congratulations on this beautiful winner, Sharon! :) #3093296

Charlene Bayerle July 28, 2006

Congratulations Sharon!!!!!! #3093426

Ken Smith July 28, 2006

Sharon, super job!! Congrats!! #3093677

Dr Silly July 28, 2006

Way to go Sharon. :O)
#3093820

Laura Clay-Ballard July 28, 2006

BIG congrats! #3094056

Chris Budny July 28, 2006

Way to go, Sharon! Congratulations! #3094156

Jim Kinnunen July 28, 2006

A very big congratulations on this very fine wining image, Sharon!!!! #3094263

Cyn Valentine July 28, 2006

Beautiful image Sharon.. congratulations!! #3094268

Jim Kinnunen July 28, 2006

Sharon...make that very fine winning image!!! LOL...too early in the am and no coffee yet! #3094278

Barbara Helgason July 28, 2006

Congratulations Sharon on this beautiful winner! #3094341

Laurence Saliba July 28, 2006

Congratulations on this superb win Sharon!!! #3094587

Tamera S. Phillips July 28, 2006

I'm glad this one was a winner Sharon! Well done. #3094645

Casey A. Hanson July 28, 2006

Yahooooooo! Another awesome win, Sharon! You go girl...congrats!! :)0 #3094691

Phil Sauvey July 28, 2006

Great news Sharon. A well deserved win. Congratulations!!! Keep up the great work. #3094699

Kay Beausoleil July 28, 2006

Congratulations, Sharon on your win for this beautiful work! #3094746

Jill Flynn July 28, 2006

Wonderful creativity and work Sharon. Congratulations on your win! #3094839

Marie Fields July 28, 2006

Congratulations on this beauty, Sharon!! #3095291

Wendy Stevenson July 28, 2006

Excellent technique and beautiful results Sharon! Congratulations on a fine win! Really gorgeous! #3096195

William C. Raco July 28, 2006

Beautiful color, technique and full frame
Congratulations, Sharon!

Bill #3096705

She-She Killough July 28, 2006

This is BEYOND BEAUTIFUL Sharon!!! I LOVE this image. Just so soothing in it's rhythm! And your instruction...well amazing! So GLAD This won for you! ( don't see how it couldn't!!!) Congratulations!!

sheesh #3096968

Cora Miller July 28, 2006

I'm thrilled to see this win, Sharon! Congratulations! #3097187

Renee Doyle July 29, 2006

Congratulations on this stunning winner Sharon!!!! This is just such a gorgeous, soft, flowing capture I am so sorry I missed it earlier. Your instructions are awesome and very generous as well - thankyou!! Terrific win!!!!
#3097393

July 29, 2006

Beautiful job Sharon!
Congratulations on your win! #3097493

Colette M. Metcalf July 29, 2006

This is gorgeous! Congratulations on your WIN, Sharon!! #3097600

DiAnna F. Paulk July 29, 2006

First, congratulations on your win. Second, this is a fantastic photograph! Third, thanks for the information and demonstration on how it was done. Fourth, I LOVE your comment-debt-free zone! LOL! But I truly like so many of your images it's not hard to leave a comment. Finally, thanks for your kind comment on my Old Wagon Wheels entry! #3098105

Piotr M. Organa July 29, 2006

Congrats on this gorgeous flower shot and your win! Keep shootin' Sharon!! #3098406

Stephen Zacker July 29, 2006

Stunning. Congratulations #3098687

Patty Razonable July 29, 2006

Congratulations, Sharon!! Fabulous flower abstract!! #3100342

Leanne M.E. Boyd July 30, 2006

Wow, quite the shot - congratulations on your win, Sharon! #3101424

Nobu Nagase July 30, 2006

Congratulations on your great win, Sharon! #3102880

Janine Russell July 30, 2006

Sharon, congratulations on your Second Place win. #3103703

Joe Ciccone July 31, 2006

a pity to learn that besides poor judging on this site, there is also censorship of all but 'flowery remarks'
(no pun intended)
just a site to sell over rated and over priced courses...cheers #3108161

Chris Budny August 01, 2006

I reckon when you flat-out insult both the judges and the photographer, plus the rest of the community who enjoys the image, it shouldn't surprise you to find someone asking that your comment be removed. Had you put some thought into it, there were probably a hundred different ways you could have articulated your view and expressed an honest critique, that wouldn't have been as rude and insulting as what you chose. #3109009

Sharon Day August 01, 2006

Joe, your comments are unbearably rude and uncalled for. You are hateful without excuse. Please do not leave comments on my images at all in the future. I believe we all "get it." If you have issues with BP then why not just leave??? I have NEVER commented on a photo of yours, much less in such a rude manner and after taking the time to browse your entire gallery I found plenty of images worth criticizing. You also have a PSed image of a shell of some kind and you wish to criticize this image? Oh puleeeze! I see no reason for you to be targeting me with your brand of nastiness! I thought to email you this, but since you are determined NOT to get the HINT when your comments were removed then I'm going to spell it out for you here! LEAVE ME ALONE!

Friends, please do not respond to Joe's comments. He's petty beyond belief and not worth bothering with. I wouldn't be bothering if he'd just take a hint and leave. Thanks! #3109212

Joe Ciccone August 01, 2006

when did an honest opinion become hateful?
when did censorship become ok
I never critized your 'photo' only the judges and all the 'lollypop; reviews.
I think your set up was interesting for those not know about using a reversing ring....too bad about the judges I know they have a lot to look at and I guess they were just tired and needed another winner before calling it a night.
cheers #3110069

Susana Ms Heide August 01, 2006

Many CONGRATULATIONS Sharon on this EXCELLENT image!! I loved it as a finalist and was hoping to see it win! WTG Sharon!! #3110179

Sharon Day August 01, 2006

Joe, the discussion thread of a winner (or POTD) is NOT the place to criticize the judge's decisions. Your opinion is/was hateful and that's all it was...just an opinion. The first post you made was sheer mockery as I'm sure were your intentions. You offered NO "constructive critique" and your entire tone is offensive.

Censorship?? This is a lame accusation. Of course there is censorship. This image is located in MY gallery here at BP and is MY image and I have every right to "censor" what I feel is inappropriate and you have no "rights" to infringe on my rights to do so.

Yesterday I asked Heather to remove your offending comments and your photo (for lack of a better word) because I did not want my win tainted by your brand of critique. Obvisously you have an axe to grind and why you chose my win to target is beyond me. The Special Effects category is full of abstracts every month yet you chose my image to bestow your attention on. I find this odd.

I hope I've made myself clear. Please refrain from further "opinions." #3110230

Sharon Day August 01, 2006

Thank you all for such nice congratulations on this 2nd place win in the Special Effects category. As an explanation this is an abstract form of photography and the type of image ofen found in the SE category. Abstract photography is not understood or appreciated by everyone, but it does take some skill to capture a pleasing abstract regardless of whether it's appreciated or not. I would like to thank the judges as well for noticing this photo! #3110342

Tonya R. Boles August 01, 2006

I thought I had commented on this one already...Guess not. Congrats and thanks for the helpful information.. #3111222

Bob Cammarata August 01, 2006

Sharon,
I came across this thread from your response to my post in the Q&A.

For the record,...I like this photo because it was first thought out and then executed and you explained in the caption exactly how it was created.
The recognition of a win...along with your explaination, is the kind of motivation that might lead others to try new things and to reach goals yet un-achieved.

I think that was what the judges saw too and I applaud you on a deserved win.

Bob #3111450

Tammy Scott August 02, 2006

This is truly a well deserved win. I just love it. #3116179

Laura Clay-Ballard August 02, 2006

I am still LOVING it and had to come back and see it, again! Super! Love the abstract. #3116274

Diane Dupuis August 02, 2006

Congrats on your win Sharon! What I think is most special is how you go about explaining exactly how you achieved this effect! That is what BP is all about - sharing with others! #3116298

Kara L. Hendricks August 03, 2006

Wow.. Well, this got quite heated.. So sorry to see your WELL DESERVED win tainted by negative comments... This is a stunning display of abstract talent.. And although not all members enjoy this type of image, it does not take away from it's value.. I am glad the judges saw, and rewarded you for it... Way to go!! #3122045

Debra Booth August 06, 2006

Congratulations on this well-deserved win, Sharon. You've used special effects in a superb manner to create a beautiful abstract. Thanks for being so generous in sharing your techniques and knowledge. #3131748

Karen Bacon August 09, 2006

Congratulations Sharon on this stunning winner!It takes alot of skill and work to achieve such a beautiful image!Your win is certainly well deserved. #3144005

Donna La Mattino Pagakis July 03, 2007

Beautiful color ad feel to this great winning image Sharon, congratulations! #4470581

Errick L. Cameron December 20, 2007

I am so happy with you Sharon. Way to go!!! #5235548

Anita Bower July 20, 2008

Lovely! I especially appreciate your explanation of how you took the photo, and the photos of your set up. I've never tried reversing my 50mm lens, but, I may just have to try it soon. #6201177

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