Dandelion Seed Head

[Photobiologist]

I'm going to put this one in the Image Critique section not so much to get the image critiqued, but hoping to generate a little discussion on the method used to get the image. Hopefully, y'all can help me see more creative ways to do things...

I saw this dandelion seed head near our sidewalk & had been meaning to get a shot of it for a couple of days, so I finally did...

Nikon D70, Lester A. Dine 105 mm macro, f/11, 1/50th second, ISO 200, handheld (but laying down with secure ground bracing), full frame, minor cloning of a couple of stray grass stems...

[Photobiologist]

I have been working on a "macro photo table". Basically, it is an old drafting table that I am working on a dirt colored floor, a handful of different backgrounds, & a bunch of lights & clamps... I had just finished putting the last coats of paint on 3 backgrounds & decided to use one for this dandelion seed head - and I think it turned out much better than the browning grass that would have been in the background....

Any thoughts/suggestions on other ways to use these backboards???

Here is the set-up I used for taking the image above...

[mrsisu]

Like the background. Its the kind of image that would be a natural for an ad in for example a magazine ie very nice. ? if more of the stalk and a little bit of hopefully green grass with the blue background.

[Casey]

You might try some black velvet. I use and like it sometimes.

[Photobiologist]

Thanks for the replies...

I think it would look better with more stalk & a few grass blades... Unfortunately, it is gone now...

I think I could have gotten the black velvet look with my ring flash as well...but didn't try on this one. Thanks for the the thought though...

I've got a large black cloth that I use for some backgrounds as well as a blue & gray. What I have been trying to do is find/make a few somewhat natural-looking portable backgrounds for some table-top macros & when the car/house is behind a pretty flower... I've been meaning to go by the fish store & look at the aquarium backings...

[rpk717]

Robert, I wish I had more time to develop some backgrounds. For shots like this you can really create some interesting perspectives. This shot has a surreal look to it, it actually reminds me of an album cover for a rock group from the seventies. I like it.