BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY - MY TOP TEN
Here is an example from tonight's class (14 Jan 2016) - an illustration of some of the basic steps that typically go into creating an image. This vine had some perfect heart-shaped leaves & was hanging under a canopy that produced shade surrounded by very bright sunlight. Follow along as I share my rationale, as well as some artistic choices, in the process of creating an image.

The journey began on a small footbridge at Jungle Gardens in Sarasota, Florida.
The first thing I noticed (see below) was the distracting bright light on the tree trunk, so I pulled out my diffuser to balance the dynamic range (the difference between the lightest lights & darkest darks).

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The light here is much more balanced, but in this shot the aperture is set at f/16 & is introducing too much detail in the bark.

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To soften the detail, the aperture is opened to f/5.0. I could have stopped here, but I wasn't 100% satisfied with the composition, the overlay of the leaf with the stem, & its slight angle.

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To overcome all those issues, I chose a different leaf & shot from a different vantage point. I decide I'm happier with the placement of this leaf in the image, the shape of this "heart." But.... alas, I'm still not satisfied overall.

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I change it up & reverse my position to allow for backlight to enter a leaf. The leaf now appears more dimensional than that in earlier shots, where I found it flat. I decide to stick with backlighting. So I begin searching for a leaf I can shoot from this direction without the intersecting line of the stem & the river of bright light in the background.

The final image is shown below. Adobe Lightroom CC offers options to render the image Black & White, as well as in split tones, & affords options to adjust contrast, whites & blacks, & clarity & color w/radial & graduated filters.
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HAVE FUN CREATING A UNIQUE IMAGE OF YOUR OWN!
ANYONE INTERESTED IN FLORAL PHOTOGRAPHY, PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING OTHER "PHLOROGRPAHERS" ON FACEBOOK AT:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/phlorography/
And, just what are my top ten? They are:
1. Learn the Basics
2. Know Your Gear
3. Prepare for Your Shoots
4. Understand Lighting
5. Make Image which have a Purpose
6. Get Clean Shots
7. Create Compelling Composition
8. Learn Posing & Positioning
9. Edit your Images
10.PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!