Sticky Bud

The latest focus stack challenge has been a sticky bud (horse chestnut). A tricky blighter - everything sticks to it (including dust :twisted, mustn't touch it, reflects from convex shiny surface. But finally managed it without the result being too shabby (to my eyes, at least). And yes, if you look hard you can see a strand of very fine spider web - all part of the real world rather than a carefully cleaned up 'perfect' photographic subject. See what you think. How would you tackle a sticky bud?

K3 + Sigma 70mm macro + many bits of black and cream card to get light where wanted and not where unwanted. Stack of 92 images by Affinity Photo.

Thoughts, comments etc. welcome as usual.




Steve

A super shot Steve and I love the textures. For my taste, a touch more light on the front would help lift it out of the background a little. The sticky stuff can be a PITA to control the highlights and one of the things I do for such problems is to breathe on the surface just before pressing the button. It doesn't always work but it costs nothing - always a plus in my book.

Thanks. I see what you mean. I'd actually darkened the shadows on the bud during post processing so as to emphasise the rim lighting. Here's what it looks like with shadows lifted a bit, just a quick levels adjustment on the final processed image, Not the same as real lighting but going in the same direction.

Breathing on it sounds interesting - must try it. But for every shot of a 90+ shot stack? I'd need a lie down afterwards!!




Steve

Lubbyman wrote "Breathing on it sounds interesting - must try it. But for every shot of a 90+ shot stack? I'd need a lie down afterwards!! "

This had me chuckling Steve and I must apologise for not clarifying my remark. As you know, I use Zerene Stacker and in this program you have an edit facility that allows you to selectively use different parts of different images from the stack. I would use the 'breath' technique on just one or two images and then use selected parts of those images in the final edit. It can get a bit complex so I might still have to lie down for a while. I have no idea if the software you use has this facility.

Lovely stuff, I dig it just for that abstract feeling it has, and yes, I can see the sticky stuff, bet that was fun keeping smeg off!

Thanks, Gareth. That was actually the second bud I tried. The first looked OK until viewed close up, then the micro-muck became visible .

Steve

Looks almost alien. Good image that holds the viewer.

Best regards