Gerbera Macro

[Paul Iddon]

This macro is of the wonderful Gerbera flower. Studio set-up (i.e. in the kitchen, light from the flourescent tube overhead). Water sprayed across the petals (just a tiny amount from a very fine mist sprayer) and then photographed at 3 exposure -2/3, +2/3 and as metered. Camera was set to underexpose by 1 stop.

Taken on the Sigma 105 with a 21mm extension tube. The 3 separate images then merged as a HDR and tonemapped. Then duplicated a new layer and added a guassian blur, reduced its opacity down a bit and then selectively erased with various brush strengths the main droplets of water. Added a new layer and ran a 25 pixel high pass filter which was then blended to overlay.

Finally flattened and duplicated a layer again and then added a small 5 pixel black stroke and copied onto original layer and transformed the size of the top layer a fraction to create the thin inner border, and then increased the canvas size by 0.2 inches and finally flattened.

Phew!


http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj268/bilbo_baggins_1/gerbcloseCnamed.jpg


Opinions?


Paul.

[Cuong]

Magnificent. My head's spinning from all those post proc steps.

Cuong

[Paul Iddon]

Magnificent. My head's spinning from all those post proc steps.

Cuong

Thank you for the comment.

It all took 10 minutes to do, that's all.

Paul.

[spechtal]

I think it's great. It's a very soothing image.

[Swartzy]

Quite elegant. I like it alot. gotta love that high pass! Nice soft mood.

[Skippy]

This macro is of the wonderful Gerbera flower. Studio set-up (i.e. in the kitchen, light from the fluorescent tube overhead). Water sprayed across the petals (just a tiny amount from a very fine mist sprayer) and then photographed at 3 exposure -2/3, +2/3 and as metered. Camera was set to underexpose by 1 stop.

Taken on the Sigma 105 with a 21mm extension tube. The 3 separate images then merged as a HDR and tone mapped. Then duplicated a new layer and added a guassian blur, reduced its opacity down a bit and then selectively erased with various brush strengths the main droplets of water. Added a new layer and ran a 25 pixel high pass filter which was then blended to overlay.

Finally flattened and duplicated a layer again and then added a small 5 pixel black stroke and copied onto original layer and transformed the size of the top layer a fraction to create the thin inner border, and then increased the canvas size by 0.2 inches and finally flattened.

Phew!
Opinions?
Paul.

I see the fluorescent tube in the reflection of the water droplet
The droplets stands out to be quite sharp, where the rest of the image is soft and dreamy looking.

Lovely shot Paul :clap ... Skippy :D
.

[Paul Iddon]

Thanks everyone :clap


I like it a lot too! :ivar


Paul.

[Chrissiebeez_NL]

great colors and composition! :thumb

i like it a lot

[Paul Iddon]

Cheers Chris. Thanks for the thumbs up! :barb

Paul.

[Paul Iddon]

LOL....


1: Take the same image 3 times.
2: Merge as an HDR and tonemap it.
3: Add a new layer, and set guassian blur to around 15. Reduce layer opacity to about 75%.
4: Erase section required with eraser tool.
5: Add new layer then run a high pass filter at 25 pixels.
6: Flatten and add border of choice.


:)

Hope that helps.

Paul.

[Lord Vetinari]

LOvely shot Paul - great colour and composition :)
Brian V.

[Paul Iddon]

Thank you Brian.

Much appreciated.


Paul.

[david-low]

I liked the intense focus of the dew and a particular petal

[Paul Iddon]

Thanks for looking and commenting David.


Paul.