I have a Phyllostachys glauca that is beginning to display the waxy coating on the culms that is characteristic of this species. It looks great, but I am having a difficult time capturing that image in photographs. It seems that all my efforts lead to washed out pictures. How do I show the contrast of white culms and dark green leaves and make it look like I remember it? Do any of you have suggestions on how to do this?
In the examples below, from left to right: sunlight(good leaf color, culm washed out), flash(best overall?), shade from maple tree, no flash, sunlight behind plant(all colors muted).
How to capture the waxy coating on Ph. glauca?
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- Eric Layton
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RE: How to capture the waxy coating on Ph. glauca?
Eric,
You might try photographing on an overcast day, and saturating the color by underexposing. If you wet the bamboo it will also color up some. Moving in a bit might also help ones eyes focus on the culm and its color.
Regards,
David
You might try photographing on an overcast day, and saturating the color by underexposing. If you wet the bamboo it will also color up some. Moving in a bit might also help ones eyes focus on the culm and its color.
Regards,
David
David Arnold
Middle Tennessee Bamboo Farm
USDA zone 6b
Middle Tennessee Bamboo Farm
USDA zone 6b
- Eric Layton
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RE: How to capture the waxy coating on Ph. glauca?
Thanks for the tips David. I can try getting closer and wetting the bamboo. Now that you mention it, I recall the bamboo looking good on overcast days. But I have a problem with shooting on overcast days, we have so few! It has been a long time since it rained last. The closest I get to an overcast day is shooting at dawn, dusk, or in the shade of a larger object. It may be awhile till I can try these suggestions, the LCD on my camera cracked on my last work trip.
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RE: How to capture the waxy coating on Ph. glauca?
It does seem to be difficult to capture some of the subtle nuances of bamboo on film (or on sensor I guess I should say). I agree with David, if you can get a closer shot, that would probably help. (Anyway, close-ups are about the only way for me to photograph since my plants remain so small.)
Another idea is just to take LOTS of photos with different settings. I sometimes get a good photo just by luck. Change the camera position from shot to shot. Sometimes a slightly different angle makes a big difference when you go to look at your pictures later.
Another idea is just to take LOTS of photos with different settings. I sometimes get a good photo just by luck. Change the camera position from shot to shot. Sometimes a slightly different angle makes a big difference when you go to look at your pictures later.
--Mike