Remains

[Pete Askew]

A seed head from last season captured in Spring on the island of Delos on 1st April. Loved the structure of the old stem and seeds and the fine cobweb on it).

Nikon D3 + Nikkor 24-70 mm f 1/2.8, ISO 200, 70mm 1/640s at f 1/4.0 PP in LR, SilverFX Pro 2 (titanium toned, Fuji Neopan simulation), border in PS.

 

[Thomas brookes]

Wow Pete beautiful shot!! I quite like the little stem sticking out on the left not conforming!!!

 

[Pete Askew]

It's kind of like it has escaped the spiders web!

 

[Thomas brookes]

It's laughing at all the other ones!! Ha

 

[Hamish Gill]

That's very effective Pete, id have got the head of it with the shadow or sky as the backdrop to all of it... But I think this works better!! The sharp dark on, OOF dark is really nice!

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Hamish. I shot it originally with muted colour in mind as I could then contrast the virtually black and white flower head with the OoF landscape behind. After I'd done that I realised there was enough textural contrast for it work in monochrome especially with the lighting as it was. I'd chosen the angle / background originally to allow me to capture the cobwebs as well as the texture. I always find it fascinating how an image develops over time. I did the original processing while I was still in Greece a month ago and made the monochrome version this evening while reviewing the images (after digging out the WA shots to post).

 

[Ralph Thornton]

That's very effective Pete, id have got the head of it with the shadow or sky as the backdrop to all of it... But I think this works better!! The sharp dark on, OOF dark is really nice!

I agree and also wonder how it would look as a vertical and cropped closer to the seed head?

 

[Pete Askew]

That would probably work too Ralph. The square crop is in anticipation of printing as I have a load of oak frames I use with a 12" x 12" passe-partout.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I concur with Ralph's idea - think a long skinny crop would be excellent

 

[Ralph Thornton]

Square crops are indeed less common than what most views see and often make for good results. I'd like to see that too.

 

[Paul Lange]

Pete, is it worth considering cutting a second mat or even a new one so that you can use the square frames but have the narrow crop? I have to agree that it's a lot stronger with a narrow crop on the sides.

 

[Pete Askew]

What do you think, narrow enough? I have to say I still prefer the square crop (but then I like square images - probably from working with 6x6 cameras for a long time).

 

[Ralph Thornton]

Now that I've seen it I might like the square crop better. Can I change my mind?

 

[Pete Askew]

Feel free!

 

[Vic Shaw]

Strangely enough I like the square crop. I think I finally get the square crop. Such a simple subject but looks real nice. I would be tempted though to get rid of that small piece poking out on the stem though either via a crop or clone.

Vic

 

[Pete Askew]

I'll try toning the highlight down on it first and see what that looks like.