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Julie, Thank You!

My earlier attempts I was happy with, but these recent ones are better. A few images use an Orange filter, but I can't say they're alot better, if at all. (Note DWT's comment about trying yellow. He's an excellent shooter & generally wonderful) I think using a larger negative helps, but if I were to do this w/ 35mm, I'd prob. try tmax 100 or your slower, fine grain film of choice. Our own Tony Lockerbie has 35mm work that'll just make ya cry. Getting the texture was big for me, so I literally stopped working to go shoot these leaves so I had the low-angled light accentuating all the ripples & curves.

It'll be a treat to see your hosta shots.

Thanks for adding that extra info. A home closeby has a wonderful array of these so I may have to sneak into their garden with my Rolleicord.

Hmm - don't take the yellow filter idea too seriously -- I was being a bit tongue-in-cheek and sorta picked it as halfway between none and orange, but in fact it might not darken, or might even lighten green foliage! I have lots of hosta here right now; there are all sorts of varieties available from nearly yellow to a bluish gray green, plus varigated stuff with stripes on the leaves. The latter seem to be the first thing the local deer herd goes for when they discover "hey guys & gals, Dave put out a salad bar!"

DWT - thank you! As you can tell, I listen to you closely.

I laugh about the deer. One passed by the window about 10 min. back. Friday night, what I thought was a fork - in velvet came through & posed for a few digital shots. 'Turns out he'll be at least a 3x3. Don't even *think* about having roses...

I appreciate your letting me know about the filter recommend. I'm so hungry to improve I grab & try from those here that share their thoughts. I appreciate your help.

If we're lucky, we may see one from Julie. I found it really striking.

@DWThomas I'm definitely in the learning stages with filters (everything, actually) so next time out, I may try a light green filter and how that plays on some of the variegated leaves...

@Julie McLeod (I think when we move beyond the learning stage we have stopped breathing .... ) Loosely speaking, a filter tends to lightened its color, and darken the complement of that color. Actually, the filter tends to suppress the colors it isn't, which is why more exposure is generally necessary. That is a green filter will appear to lighten green foliage, a red filter will darken blue sky, etc. So I'm thinking filters in the greens might actually reduce the apparent varigation -- but then I'm no expert in these matters! Anyway, it could be a fun experiment to try a bunch of different filters in the same setup and see what happens.

@DWThomas For my Rolleicord, I've only got red and light green (yellow green, I think). The red, I suppose, would darken the green which might be nice of the variegated leaves. I also have a few colors for 35mm lens which I can probably just hold over the Rolleicord lens. It's windy here today so I'll wait for a day where I can use the slower shutter speed needed to compensate for the filter but without getting motion blur.

It feels like you are going to get sucked down the stem like the water does. It just draws you in.