Datura Fruits

Images taken in a controlled environment or with a posed subject. All subject types.

Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau

Olympusman
Posts: 5090
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

Datura Fruits

Post by Olympusman »

Datura (Jimson Weed) was very common in my years in Arizona and is now showing up in the United Northeast as a decorative shrub. Unfortunately, the flowers don't last long enough for studio photography, as they wilt before your very eyes in about ten minutes.. The fruits are loaded with psychoactive
chemicals such as Scopolimine and Atropine. The Wikipedia article on Datura is very illuminating.

Image

Image
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

Beatsy
Posts: 2105
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:10 am
Location: Malvern, UK

Post by Beatsy »

Wow! Those are stand-out sharp images and beautiful lighting. What did you use to shoot them?

JH
Posts: 1307
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 9:46 am
Location: Vallentuna, Stockholm, Sweden
Contact:

Post by JH »

Nice pictures
Best regards
Jörgen Hellberg
Jörgen Hellberg, my webbsite www.hellberg.photo

Olympusman
Posts: 5090
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

Lighting secrets revealed

Post by Olympusman »

There used to be a guy in Canada who would photograph plants and flowers from the whole plant down to the pollen. I contacted him about his lighting technique and it was quite simple -- window light, and reflector and a black background card.

Here is my "flower and plant studio" --
Image

This is my setup. I can very efficiently shoot available light macros. The black background crad is turned away from the light so it is in shadow. On the right is a reflector card on the same light stand as the specimen, providing controlled shadow fill light.
The lens is an Elcinar 90mm Macro, usually shot at either f11 or f16.

Image

This is the result of this setup:

Image
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

Beatsy
Posts: 2105
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:10 am
Location: Malvern, UK

Post by Beatsy »

Thanks for the info. Simple and effective! Window light is super-versatile - my favourite (by far) for people portraits. The bigger the window, the better.

I think I know the guy you mean. Published on Micscape, right?

grgh
Posts: 372
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 4:55 am
Location: Lancashire. UK

Post by grgh »

Nice setup and easy to dismantle when finished, or to leave in situ.

Intrigued as to the circular object ,on the window in the background?

very nice natural shot, well done.
used to do astronomy.
and photography.
Zeiss Universal Phase contrast.
Zeiss PMII
B&L stereo zoom.

Olympusman
Posts: 5090
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

Studio

Post by Olympusman »

Thanks.
The circular object in the background is a stone and glass sculpture.

Mike
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

Olympusman
Posts: 5090
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

Mystery object

Post by Olympusman »

Here is a detail of the mystery object -

Image

And yes, Beatsy, he was on Micscape for a long time.

Mike
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

grgh
Posts: 372
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 4:55 am
Location: Lancashire. UK

Post by grgh »

Mike

thanks for showing the "Mystery Object", now my interest is being drawn away from original subject and thread.

beautiful sculpture, not sure what the little globe represents but i would like to know the name of the Artist, intrigued as to their other work.

I still stand by my original reply, nice setup and can appreciate leaving everything setup ready for the morning and evening light.
Lucky that i have a little box room for scopes and bits and bobs.
used to do astronomy.
and photography.
Zeiss Universal Phase contrast.
Zeiss PMII
B&L stereo zoom.

Olympusman
Posts: 5090
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

Mystery Object

Post by Olympusman »

The name of the artist is Karel Mickglas. Originally from Czechoslovakia, he now resides in Slatington, Pennsylvania USA.

Mike
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

grgh
Posts: 372
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 4:55 am
Location: Lancashire. UK

Post by grgh »

Mike

thank for the info, ref artist.

looked him up and a very versatile man he is.
Fascinating history as well.

once again apologies for diverting from original thread.
used to do astronomy.
and photography.
Zeiss Universal Phase contrast.
Zeiss PMII
B&L stereo zoom.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic