I usually start with a color, HDR image and post an alternative monochrome, duotone or split tone of the same image. But today, I’ve decided to lead off with a high key monochrome version of this beautiful camellia with a tiny green inhabitant. If you look closely you can see him/her staring at my camera. The little thing actually came out to see what I was doing. Curious I guess.

I don’t really know what kind of bug this is. If you do, I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know.

Processing: I started with five images from -3 to +1 ev in Nik HDR Efex Pro to produce the color image below. The image was very well balanced to start with so I moved it into Adobe Photoshop CS6 for final color and lighting adjustments. After I was satisfied with the color result, I opened Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 and created the high key version using an already high key preset and adding more highlight, contrast, and structure. Back in Photoshop, I eliminated the dark areas at the upper and lower right using the smudge tool. My last step was to eliminate some blurred pollen spots and blur everything except the actual flower details. And the bug of course.

Equipment used: Nikon D700 with 105mm f/2.8 Nikkor Micro lens at f/9.5, ISO 100. Bogen/Manfrotto 3221 tripod with Manfrotto MH054M0-Q2 ball head.