Vacant fruit

When we see these seeds/fruits in spring, they usually have a wasp in residence. This one was vacant, making it a candidate for an indoor portrait. I used three Canon 600EX-RT (radio controlled flash units that can be positioned almost anywhere) to highlight as much texture as I could, as well as showing the microscopic fibers around the stem.

In the first shot, I allowed a slight depression in the front to drop into shadow.

In the second version, I went for a graphic look, using high contrast and an angle that made the most of a two dimensional shape.

For variety, here's a monochrome version, with a fingertip for scale.

The final image is a focus stack of six shots. When magnification is high, it isn't possible to get much depth of field. Flat objects like postage stamps are relatively easy to render with fine detail, but something with depth comparable to lateral dimensions is not likely to be manageable with a single shot. I focused first on the nearest point, then gradually focused farther out for successive images. I then opened the six shots in Photoshop CS6 and allowed the program to blend them, using the sharpest portions of each.

By the way, the background was a very high tech piece of equipment: a black sweatshirt.

Permalink: http://jilcp.blogspot.com/2013/05/vacant-fruit.html

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How to Eat a Sunflower Seed

Matters of etiquette and practicality converge when it comes to consuming comestibles. There is a proper way to eat a sunflower seed, no question about it. Here is a demonstration by an acknowledged expert. Note that one's beak must be opened sufficiently to allow a vertical positioning of the width of the shell.

A crosswise angle allows full use of the sharp cutting edges.

Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the task at hand, even when you think you are being watched.

As the shell begins to open, you must deftly reposition it to get at the delicacies inside without dropping any.

Be alert for edges and stray bits that can get caught in your "beard".

Form counts, but only to the extent that it helps efficiency.

Pretty good job. You've earned this portion of your meal.

And we're finally just about done. Note the neat and evenly sized pieces that will slide smoothly down the gullet.

Other foodstuffs may call for slight variations in technique. :)

Permalink: http://jilcp.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-to-eat-sunflower-seed.html

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Seeds of autumn

I like to see the tiny blue-black seeds that these weeds produce, and it's impressive to see them appearing this late in the year. This was another very quick afternoon project, and like Tuesday's, not centered around a conventionally beautiful subject. The first shot describes the plant pretty well, except for its long, spindly stalk, which I didn't think would add anything to the composition.

I was drawn to the way this second sample had captured a vibrantly healthy stalk of another, taller plant. It seems to be hanging on and seeking help.

This third one called for an aerial view. A bit of an amusement park perspective, perhaps.

From just a little higher, the support structure changes and the background separates into halves.

Finally, a still higher viewpoint renders things quite differently. A slight breeze altered foreground to background angles from time to time as I was shooting.

Permalink: http://jilcp.blogspot.com/2012/11/seeds-of-autumn.html

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