Bright Morning

[Michael Erlewine]

Nikon D810, Zeiss Otus 85mm APO f/1.4, 5.8mm extension, Zerene Stacker

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Apparently a Rudbeckia lacinata or similar.

The foreground is exquisite, but the rear flower head simply looks out of place being far too sharp where the eye didn't expect it to be. So the overall effect is eerily unnatural.

[Michael Erlewine]

As usual, you are a hard man to please.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Not hard to please, but outspoken. When one gets to a certain level, the bar has to be raised correspondingly.

[Michael Erlewine]

Well, I respect your technical knowledge and have learned a lot about lenses from you. As for aesthetics, like most photographers, I enjoy my own view. In this case, I like the effect and I like the very subtle other-worldly sense that you label as "eerily unnatural." Speaking of which, most of us have seen your UV and IF photos which, well, are certainly eerie enough. 

[armando_m]

nice image, I think the flower in the back has a "painterly effect", probably less eerie than the UV IR images 

cheers!

[Andrew]

As usual-very well done!!

[Akira]

The photography is a process of translating our 3D experience into the 2D world, limiting DOF and freezing the running time to the still moment, which is already pretty much unnatural, even without diving into the territory of the invisible light. 

I enjoy the pleasant atmosphere captured in the image.

[Gary]

Michael, your stuff is wonderful and this shot is typical and it is wonderful. But, (the big but), I have to side with Bjørn, the background flower appears out of place, almost PhotoShopped in.

[Frank Fremerey]

Your shots might all be hyperreal by means of you technique.
but.
that is what makes them unique and special and adorable and
recognizable.

[Michael Erlewine]

I hear you, just as I did Bjørn. To me it's not about sides, just different impressions. It is not Photoshopped, but it is stacked, which is what I do often. I just put these impressions out there, to be liked or disliked as the case may be. As mentioned, I like the effect because it somehow stirs the pot. As for me, I don't second guess or comment on other's impressions, because I know each of us is impressed differently. If I like something I say "nice" or something like that. If I don't, I say nothing at all. I don't mind if you want to analyze it, but I probably won't respond even this much. "What YOU see is what YOU get," meaning that for me beauty (or lack of) is in the eye of the beholder.