March 2, 2012
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Flaming Dahlia
I found this Dahlia discarded on the ground in a greenhouse. Apparently not perfect enough to sell, it was certainly beautiful enough to create this image.
I took that Dahlia home and created these few images with it: https://colethompsonphotography.com/portfolios/series/the-dahlia/
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Cole
Lovely images, although I am a bit surprised that such a young model has such old hands. 🙂
My daughter, my wife and an old woman in a nursing home.
Trying to trace the progress of life.
Hello Cole,
Your post processing as always is truly amazing. You gave this discarded flower a new life…
The BW tone is to die for… you do this so well, Cole. I appreciate your sharing. Take care, my friend.
Whenever I see an image like this, I’m reminded of the Ansel Adams quote about dodging and burning: “it’s the way to correct God’s mistakes in creating tonal contrast”. The flower really looked that good, right? Wonderful image.
On another topic. I leave tomorrow for about a 10 day photo trip down the Pac. Coast Hwy. I have my digital workflow while on the road protocol lined up-I think. But would you be willing to share briefly what yours when traveling, such as your own recent Death Valley trip? I’d love to hear how YOU do it, assuming it’s not too proprietary. Thanks, Cole.
Sam, I have no secrets. My workflow on the road is simple, I shoot, copy the files to a laptop each evening so that I have a backup.
I like to start my processing in the field, just so that I am not overwhelmed when I get home. Also, psycologically, once I feel I’ve gotton just one “good” image, then I relax and feel the trip was worth it. This takes the pressure off of me to perform and I do much better on the rest of the trip!
I have a laptop and tablet and start processing exactly the same in the field as I do at home. The only real difference is the monitor, a laptop changes brightness with viewing angle and so I sometimes when I get home I find the images too dark.
I use Bridge to bring the images into PHotoshop, then convert to b&w using the b&w converter, then check my histogram and make basic adjustments with Levels. Then I’ll dodge and burn, adjust contrast, spot and I’m done!
Cole
P.S. Sam, what a great trip to spend 10 days on the PCH! From where to where are you going?
Cole, Thank you! That basically is the protocol I will be using, except from a Lightroom platform with Nik plugins on the laptop.
As for the itinerary, I only have the first three sites planned, Astoria; Bandon; and a beach in Mendocino called Bowling Ball, named for it’s rock formations. After that, I’ll just free lance, depending on time and weather. Any ideas, Cole or anybody? I think the hazard here is to over plan, to try to do too much.
So, I’ve under planned, with at least 7 days or so left for adventure- just an answer blowing in the wind. Wife not happy about it, so I owe her one. Ciao, Sam.
I think you’re doing it right Sam, go where the wind blows you! BUT DO STAY AWAY FROM BANDON, THERE’S NOTHING THERE TO PHOTOGRAPH! (smile)
I love the highlight details in the Dahlia, what a great vision for this image. Thanks for posting!
This is a beautiful example how a visual poem might look. Taken some time to dive into the many details, the poem starts to talk to me in a very pleasing way. Thank you for this inspiring shot!
cheers
®
Hi Cole,
I got your address from aNette (magic-color). Hat a quick look through your website and your b&w blog. And I’m very impressed by your fantastic pictures!!!
The one “Dalia and Old Hands” is very wonderful!!
Kind regards from Switzerland
Esther