Project 365 2011: ohkphoto

[fotojack]

May 6th 126/365

"Rose Petals"


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Beautiful shot, Helene. Love it. So soft looking.

 

[Mike150]

May 5th 125/365


"Keyboard"

Thought I'd practice some more focus stacking. 10 shots compiled in Helicon Focus.

I like the focus stacking results. I know I can do it with CS5, but curious about your method of taking the shots. Did you refocus on each point, or did you use a fixture to move the entire camera forward? I've read where moving the camera is the correct method but I can't afford to rush out and buy the fixture for my tripod. So far my attempts have been less than successful. Hope you don't mind me trying to get you to divulge your secrets.

 

[ohkphoto]

Did you refocus on each point, or did you use a fixture to move the entire camera forward?

Happy to share my "secrets", Mike, LOL

I focus on each point sequentially from front to back. I don't need to move the camera because the software (Helicon Focus) takes care of aligning it. You can do the same process with layers in photoshop, but I believe you have to use a focus rail to move the camera. Then you have to align the layers and mask. You can get a focus rail from LinkDelight (or Linked Delight, can't remember which it is) for $20 --that's where I got mine, but haven't had to use it. The software costs about $100 and is much more efficient and timely than the photoshop way.

Hope this helps.

 

[ohkphoto]

May 7th 127/365

"Celebrating Derby Day"

PP in Lightroom and Nik Color Efex Pro (soft focus) in Photoshop.

 

[Vermontster]

Very nice effect Helene!

 

[ohkphoto]

Thanks for the comments, Jack and Chris!

 

[Marcel]

Great lighting Helene. I love the way you were able to fill the shadows under that large hat. She's glowing. I like it.

 

[Carolina Photo Guy]

Helene, you have gotten soft focus down to an art form!

Very nice!

Pete

 

[jengajoh]

Ooh! I really like the rose petals, that's great! And another great portrait of your friend.

 

[ohkphoto]

Thanks, Pete, Marcel and Jen!

May 8th 128/365


"Blue Iris"

 

[JoeLewisPhotography]

Very nice Helene! Love the soft focus on the last one, and the blue in the flower is so vibrant, and the hint of yellow in the center sets this one off.

 

[Vermontster]

I love this one Helene. Joe said it perfectly!

 

[ohkphoto]

Thanks, Joe and Chris! The Hondo Iris Farm has these spectacular irises. I bought some yesterday so am hoping mine will look nice, too!

 

[Carolina Photo Guy]

That is a beautiful Iris and you shot it very nicely!

Pete

 

[ohkphoto]

Thanks, Pete! Please send some of that rain and dew my way!

 

[Marcel]

Just sumptuous !!!

 

[ohkphoto]

Thanks, Marcel!

May 9th 129/365

"Mandevilla On Fire"

 

[fotojack]

Gorgeous Iris and Mandevilla shots, Helene. You're getting pretty good at this photography stuff, eh.

 

[JoeLewisPhotography]

Funny, i looked at the pic before the description and thought, wow, it looks like its on fire...lol. Nice shot!

 

[Marcel]

I like the mandevilla but would have liked it even more if cropped differently. My eyes are thrown out towards the right upper corner by the direction of the "flame" and they keep going back to the green leaves that are on the left. Maybe square cropping would keep them in more in this case.
But... just one very humble opinion.