Bulbine Frutescens

AlanLichty

AlanLichty

Moderator
Darcy Grizzle said:
should I try to make the grasses a little more in focus? I kind of think so, but I was too close with my 100MM
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Actually most often folks like to isolate the subject and look for a pleasing bokeh as the backdrop to the subject. In this case the stuff behind looks fine as is but you do have some grass in the front that might benefit from being included in your focus stack. Things in front of your subject are more difficult to overlook when they are out of focus.

Not certain of the context for this setting but with grass you can often just push down the blades in front while you are shooting your stack and the grass will be fine. If this is in your yard just go get the shears and hack the offending blades :)
 
Darcy Grizzle

Darcy Grizzle

Well-Known Member
AlanLichty said:
Actually most often folks like to isolate the subject and look for a pleasing bokeh as the backdrop to the subject. In this case the stuff behind looks fine as is but you do have some grass in the front that might benefit from being included in your focus stack. Things in front of your subject are more difficult to overlook when they are out of focus.

Not certain of the context for this setting but with grass you can often just push down the blades in front while you are shooting your stack and the grass will be fine. If this is in your yard just go get the shears and hack the offending blades :)
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Yeah it is in a bucket on my patio, but I don't want to cut the grasses, as it is a succulent, so I will have to try again & get them in focus :D
 
JimFox

JimFox

Moderator
Staff member
Awesome work Darcy! Focus stacking isn’t easy but you did good.

I personally would not want any of the grass in focus, it would distract from the flowers visually.
 
Ken Rennie

Ken Rennie

Well-Known Member
Lovely image Darcy. I would like the background even moe diffuse. Since the flowers are in a bucket I would be tempted to move it to a location where the background has complementary colours and is far enough back just to add a muted colourful background with no hard/ harsh changes of tone. Just my 2p worth but great image as shown. Ken
 
Darcy Grizzle

Darcy Grizzle

Well-Known Member
Ken Rennie said:
Lovely image Darcy. I would like the background even moe diffuse. Since the flowers are in a bucket I would be tempted to move it to a location where the background has complementary colours and is far enough back just to add a muted colourful background with no hard/ harsh changes of tone. Just my 2p worth but great image as shown. Ken
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Thank you Ken, will try that, it is a very good suggestion :)
 
stevendillonphoto

stevendillonphoto

Well-Known Member
Nice colors and details. I'm also a big fan of getting the background to dissolve down into simple colors. I feel that it helps your subject stand out. What software are you using? I have some focus stacks, but I've essentially given up on it due to the amount of work required to fix areas that should be in focus.
 
Darcy Grizzle

Darcy Grizzle

Well-Known Member
stevendillonphoto said:
Nice colors and details. I'm also a big fan of getting the background to dissolve down into simple colors. I feel that it helps your subject stand out. What software are you using? I have some focus stacks, but I've essentially given up on it due to the amount of work required to fix areas that should be in focus.
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Steven I used Lightroom for initial editing, cropping of the first shot, then synced the next 8 with it. Then I opened as layers in Photoshop and followed an easy tutorial, but it took so very long in Photoshop to auto align the layers & auto blend. Then back into Lightroom for a couple minor tweaks.
 
Jim Dockery

Jim Dockery

Well-Known Member
I've done a lot of focus stacking and this is a great result for your first attempt. I'm with all the other guys thinking that the background is good as is focus wise. Ken's idea to move the bucket around until you got an even more pleasant/complementary background is also good. One last idea would be to shoot one totally out of focus shot of the background that you could latter paint in behind your FS flower to give a creamier back-ground. Keep up the good work!
 
Darcy Grizzle

Darcy Grizzle

Well-Known Member
Jim Dockery said:
I've done a lot of focus stacking and this is a great result for your first attempt. I'm with all the other guys thinking that the background is good as is focus wise. Ken's idea to move the bucket around until you got an even more pleasant/complementary background is also good. One last idea would be to shoot one totally out of focus shot of the background that you could latter paint in behind your FS flower to give a creamier back-ground. Keep up the good work!
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Thanks Jim :), I was going to try again today with the suggestion but the wind is howling hahaha. Figures right!
 
Jeffrey

Jeffrey

Well-Known Member
Nice imaging, Darcy. I agree with most constructive comments here. I wouldn't want the 'focused' grasses in the foreground. They need to be removed. Since you are with a potted plant, the opportunities are endless for the perfect background and light. Try taking it indoors near a window if the wind is blowing.
 
Darcy Grizzle

Darcy Grizzle

Well-Known Member
Jeffrey said:
Nice imaging, Darcy. I agree with most constructive comments here. I wouldn't want the 'focused' grasses in the foreground. They need to be removed. Since you are with a potted plant, the opportunities are endless for the perfect background and light. Try taking it indoors near a window if the wind is blowing.
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That is a really good idea! I may try that & have the perfect window I think. Plus I can get the tripod up higher where I am not laying down :). Thanks Jeffrey :)
 
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