Vanda Princess Blue X Kasem's Delight has morphed into a beautiful deep purple. The first pic I took in the shade:



These nest two were taken in the sun with the same white background:



These 2 were taken in the sun over the pool:



Help me out here. Whish do you like?

Jim

Actually, I didn't mean to start a new thread. I have no idea how that happened.

Jim

New thread or not, I like all of them. Nice and even color or sunshine creating pretty shadows. Pretty, pretty!

And - I really would love to see another couple ( or 5) of pics when the blooms have fully matured. I am always amazed how long that takes.

( perhaps this thread can be turned into Nov part 3...?)

I just typed an answer to Ursula and it would up over on the November Orchids 2 thread. I'm really confused. I hope Kathy can figure this out.

Jim

Jim, I like the first "over the pool" shot best, but they're all pretty.

I'd love to put this in Photography, Jim. Would you mind?
I like the ones at the pool best too but not because of the turquoise background. I like the light and textures.

Please do, Kathy. Once again, ride in on your white horse and rescue me.

Once it is over in photography, I'll post more pics as it matures and try it with a black background,

Jim

I'm with Carol on the over the pool ,first shot..beautiful combo of the turquoise and purple with
the texture of the water..nice job, Jim!

Jim, I prefer 'over the pool #2'. This picture is the most crisp of all the shots and I prefer the lighting on this one.

Now let's see what you think if I use a black background. The first picture is without a flash and the second is with a flash. Both were taken in early morning.

Jim

Doesn't work for me. When I can, I try to put a black board in full shade with the light only on the flowers. I think Todd photoshops the backgrounds to be even blacker. oh here's his post in Photo tips: http://cubits.org/orchids/thre...

But I think black is not the best foil for purple anyway. I'd also try to find a way to get the wires to not show in the pic although sometimes it can't be helped.

I agree. That's why I used white and the pool to take the first pics. Even if I make the black blacker, it is not as good as the others. I'll reserve the black for lighter flowers.

Yes, I know about the wires but I was concentrating on the backgrounds.

Jim

I don't know how to photoshop..but I've had good luck placing the plant in full sun..indoors

I'm also too lazy to read the manual that came with my camera and use the auto function so the
background seems to turn to black, these plants were sitting on the carpet with furniture in the
background..and it magically disappears! Probably would be much more complicated with a Vanda..
another reason to grow Phals!

Looks great!
Jim, I find that somedays I am just into documenting and other days I'm making art. When I'm in "photo shoot" mode, I use a tripod, play with gray cards and aperture priority settings and see what I can get with different lenses on my DSLR, and take many of the same pics at different settings. I am very aware of extraneous stuff, lighting, and composition. When I'm documenting, anything goes!

Yes, that is the way to do it. I'm just lazy sometimes. I had twelve MGers at my house today and I took the black background shots just before they arrived. The ribs I grilled were great and they each brought a side dish. I'm so full I just may explode.

I tried to make the dark background blacker with photo shop but when I did, I lost detail on the dark orchid. I only use black poster board with light colored orchids. Also, I see the flash turned the background almost gray. Good rule: don't use flash with a black background.

Jim

I think it was Todd that said he tilts the board forward a bit. It seems that velvet or felt would be a better choice, as it wouldn't reflect the light so much. One of these days I'll have to play with that.

Yes, Carol. I have a link to Todd's description above at post 485944.

Here's how I get the dark black background

That looks great! Actually we all seem to be improving! Wait till the winter photo contest!!

Just one more reason why I love An Orchid Obsession on Cubits!