Some recent greenhouse activity

[Cactuspic]

Echevarias have succulent leaves that whorl in imitations of beautiful blue flowers. They often look best in the moody light of a cloudy day. (Echevaria-desmetiana)

The second image, is an Oreba carnosa that flowered earlier, but I only recently composite the image. It is pollinated by fllies. Although this plant did not smell particularly pungent, flowers in this and related families are know as "carrion flowers" because many have the delightful smell of rotten meat.

Both images are focus stacked

Hope all of you had a great holiday.

Irwin

[zman]

Irwin, very nice, great job on the focus stacking.
What lens did you use?

[LordV]

Lovely plants and shots :)- I used to collect cacti and succulents many moons ago- still have a few around.
Brian V.

[Canonada]

Very well executed images. The first would be specially challenging to get the balance just right so not to loose detail in the high lights or the shadows. Also very good stacking.

Joe

[Cactuspic]

Irwin, very nice, great job on the focus stacking.
What lens did you use?

Thanks Artur.:)

I used a Sigma 180 macro in both of the images. Each of them was shot more open than I usually shoot stacks in order to control my backround. The echevaria was shot at 3.5 and the oreba was shot at 4.5.

Irwin

[Cactuspic]

Lovely plants and shots :)- I used to collect cacti and succulents many moons ago- still have a few around.
Brian V.

Thanks Brian . Don't you find their strange sculptural forms and unique geometries fascinating? One of the consistent amazements to me is how the plants growing in the adversity of deserts have similar forms to animal life in thriving in the seas.

In the words of my old (deceased) friend Manny, who thought that life was what you made of it by dint of effort, "Make it a great day." :)

[John E]

Beautiful!

[Cactuspic]

Very well executed images. The first would be specially challenging to get the balance just right so not to loose detail in the high lights or the shadows. Also very good stacking.

Joe

Joe, I appreciate the kind comments. Choosing the right light and angle for a subject like this is an important first step. Paying very close attention to your histogram and blown highlight indicator is essential. Also, I probably used a polarizing filter to cut glare and surface reflection.

Irwin