Epc. (Eny.) Charlie Brown - Finally in bloom!

[mauraec]

To my immense disappointment, I was unable to find someone to take this to the AOS judging session on Saturday, but perhaps next year it will be even more splendid. As I've mentioned, it has 7 spikes with 7-9 blooms/buds on each one. I could have used some expert help trying to stake this properly - it's rather a jumble, but the color and shape is quite nice. Getting the dark red and purple lip properly represented was a task and a half. I shot the plant inside, outside, in sun, clouds, shade, studio lights - you name it. I'm still aggravated that my D300 can't simply record the proper colors, given the correct settings. Anyway, here are a few shots. Slight differences in color are generally due to the lighting conditions I was working under at the time. And none of these photos capture the depth and intensity of the red, but no surprise there.

[catttan]

Gorgeous, Maura. A good candidate for an award. Great shots - I know how difficult it is to capture the actual colour - I had the same problem with with trying to capture the colour my catt which I posted recently.

[mauraec]

Gorgeous, Maura. A good candidate for an award. Great shots - I know how difficult it is to capture the actual colour - I had the same problem with with trying to capture the colour my catt which I posted recently.

Thanks, Yew. What is it with these DSLRs and getting the colors right? I've been meaning to look for a book explaining this, but I'm not sure one exists. For me, it's all about switching around the light source, but even then, I have to go into the white balance spectrum and adjust by trial and error, just using my own eye-gathered information. Seems as though there would be a better solution than that - and I really don't like having to adjust color in Aperture, because then, there's only the photo for a foundation and not an actual set-up with a plant.

By the way, if I've missed several of your threads/photos on the Forum, it's only because I'm travelling like s crazy person these days. My routine is completely interrupted!

[stateless]

nice shots, really like the second one, I fond reds hard also to photograph, if I take a shot when it is sunny the red takes on a neon like glow, lower light or with a flash and the flower takes on a more fushia or violet color, but then most people here are light years ahead of me photo wise, I usually fix it once I've uploaded the shots, beautiful blooms

[angela]

Your shots of this plant/blooms are all very good. No matter the real colour the blooms are awesome. Congrats.

[Katherine]

Maura, it is lovely. Capturing the true color is a challenge indeed.

[Cjcorner]

Thanks, Yew. What is it with these DSLRs and getting the colors right? I've been meaning to look for a book explaining this, but I'm not sure one exists. For me, it's all about switching around the light source, but even then, I have to go into the white balance spectrum and adjust by trial and error, just using my own eye-gathered information. Seems as though there would be a better solution than that - and I really don't like having to adjust color in Aperture, because then, there's only the photo for a foundation and not an actual set-up with a plant.

By the way, if I've missed several of your threads/photos on the Forum, it's only because I'm travelling like s crazy person these days. My routine is completely interrupted!

I'm not sure if this will help, but here goes: I read somewhere that a DSLR looks for the "white" in the background and balances colors from there. I try to find something very white, whether it is a name tag or a flower, in the background to help the camera "decide" on color tint. Also; a recent idea led me to photograph plants with several backgrounds. To my suprise, by using a wood background, a deep green leafy background, a plain tan wall and a white plastic tub lid (for a few examples) and began finding that many of my previosly hard to photograph colors came through better. I'm also making sure my light source is coming from behind me...sunset being the best time to avoid deep shadows. I have way way too much time on my hands and tend to take way too many pictures of each flower. The DSLR does simplify things...sometimes...but mine tends to be temperamental when it comes to focusing on what I want it too. I'm sure the neighbors wonder who i'm threatening to throw in the trash....lol....it's the dang camera.

[pavel]

Ah, capturing true colors ... the perennial headache! Film cameras still rock in this category.

Plant is quite the performer, Maura. Be amazing if it outdoes itself next year.

[mauraec]

I'm not sure if this will help, but here goes: I read somewhere that a DSLR looks for the "white" in the background and balances colors from there. I try to find something very white, whether it is a name tag or a flower, in the background to help the camera "decide" on color tint. Also; a recent idea led me to photograph plants with several backgrounds. To my suprise, by using a wood background, a deep green leafy background, a plain tan wall and a white plastic tub lid (for a few examples) and began finding that many of my previosly hard to photograph colors came through better. I'm also making sure my light source is coming from behind me...sunset being the best time to avoid deep shadows. I have way way too much time on my hands and tend to take way too many pictures of each flower. The DSLR does simplify things...sometimes...but mine tends to be temperamental when it comes to focusing on what I want it too. I'm sure the neighbors wonder who i'm threatening to throw in the trash....lol....it's the dang camera.

Some great ideas, Connie - and I'm willing to try anything. I prefer sunset as well for lighting purposes, but then I get myself in a bind trying to shoot as many pictures as I can before it gets dark! I usually end up with 30-50 shots of each orchid I photograph - and THEN I have to go through them all and choose the best ones to work with. All in all, very time-consuming, but satisfying when all goes right.

[mauraec]

Ah, capturing true colors ... the perennial headache! Film cameras still rock in this category.

Plant is quite the performer, Maura. Be amazing if it outdoes itself next year.

Thank you, Paul - it still smarts that no one will see it at its peak, aside from the photos I took.