Red glow

[Phill D]

The peony flowers in our garden are looking magnificent at the moment but I just can't seem to get a decent shot to do them justice. The red just seems to glow and wash out the details. Here's an example of one of my better shots, compositions not great on this either but I was late for work and rushed it. Illustrates the red glow though. Can anyone suggest where I'm going wrong please

[David Morison]

Re: Red glow

I wonder if you have printed any, as I find that monitors have particular difficulty with reds and purples. One of my favourite shots of a field full of poppies looks off on two different screens but OK when printed. My monitors are calibrated with Spyder software so it can't be just a calibration problem.

David

[charty]

Re: Red glow

Here's one from my garden:-



They wont last long!
Caroline

[Phill D]

Re: Red glow

Thanks David I hadn't tried printing it, I'll give it a go.
You are right Caroline unfortunately they don't last long. That is the sort of quality shot I was hoping to get what settings/camera/lens did you use? Now you've proved I can do better I'd like to try.

[charty]

Re: Red glow

Thanks David I hadn't tried printing it, I'll give it a go.
You are right Caroline unfortunately they don't last long. That is the sort of quality shot I was hoping to get what settings/camera/lens did you use? Now you've proved I can do better I'd like to try.

Hi Phil
I've got an E600 and I used a 35mm macro lens.
I'm still a novice but I keep practicing, this forum is very good and helps me. Your shot was good also, maybe you need to fill the frame, someone on a course said to 'get in close and fill the frame'
regards Caroline

[Phill D]

Re: Red glow

Thanks Caroline shot this yesterday - getting better slowly I think.

[charty]

Re: Red glow

Well done Phil - thats good!
Caroline

[Phill D]

Re: Red glow

Thanks Caroline but I still wasn't quite satisfied so I tried adding flash tonight and got this with my kit lens. Bit happier now but still feel it could be better. The flower is getting a bit scruffy now though. I'm sure a bit of breeze will make a big difference soon.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Red glow

Here is one I made earlier this week

[Phill D]

Re: Red glow

That's lovely and bright and sharp Chevvy. Hope I can get in a bit more practise before the petals end up all over the lawn. This flower has become quite a challenge. I though it was just going to be a case of a quick shot to grab it's splendour but it's turned out to be much more difficult than I'd expected. Well I seem to be making a meal of it anyway.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Red glow

Phil might I suggest water spray? I often use this to "spray on dew/rain" and it adds interest and definition in a bloom I find

This one had a few drops of rain and I took it late afternoon. A little shadow here and there, may help with defition. It is a crop and I sharpened a little.


I have similar problems with Red Oriental Poppies I shoot them in early morning 5-6 am, when the green is splitting and they are still crinkly!

[Chemop]

Re: Red glow

Hi Phill, I had a little play with the last version of your peony image in Photoshop. The reflector effect is somewhat exaggerated but is it closer to what you were looking for? I blurred out the background, cropped a bit and rendered some lighting from the lower left. You're the judge of what you like. Regards Peter

[Phill D]

Re: Red glow

Thanks Peter that is a nice effect it definitely makes the flower stand out much better. I just need to get the original shot to be better controlled as well to make the PP worth it. Mind you the work you did is way beyond my processing skills though I'm afraid as I'm still at the "I'm feeling lucky" stage in picassa! Thanks again Phill

[Swordfish]

Re: Red glow

I'm just envious of everyone - here in the bone dry and wind blasted East Midlands none of my many peonies are yet out, and even if they were they'd probably be over the North Sea by now!

Mind, my garden is a bit exposed.

[yorky]

Re: Red glow

My version was taken with the EP2