Macro photography is fascinating and a unique window into the intricate beauty of nature.
The set-up for this macro shoot: a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens, a set of 3 Kenko Extension Tubes, a sturdy tripod, a clamp with a flexible wire, a wireless remote shutter release and bright window light.
Side view of a Sunflower shot at f/16 at 1/5. Vignette added with Nik Analog Efex Pro 2.
Petals Unfurled
Close-up photography is challenging due to its limited depth of field. The 50mm lens with extension tubes demands an extremely close set-up to the subject.
Shot at f/16 @ 1.6 seconds and processed with Nik Viveza 2.
At The Center
Shining a flashlight behind this nibbled leaf effectively backlit the beautiful fibers and veins. Shot at f/16 @ 0.6 seconds and processed with Nik Viveza 2.
Already Been Chewed
A close-up of the unopened bud reveals its varying textures. This is shot at f/16 and the image below at f/2.8.
Sunflower Bud
You can see the difference in depth of field in this image. The wider aperture isolated the points of the leaves and petals. An added background texture with Nik Analog Efex Pro 2 completes the processing.
Sunflower Bud II
This monochrome version lets your eye focus on the intricate patterns of the center. Converted to black and white using Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.
Sunflower Center
A few more close-ups. Please click to enlarge.
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- Nibbled and Curled
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- Monochrome Bud
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- Sunflower Leaf
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- Sunflower Petals
“The sunflower is mine, in a way.”
~ Vincent van Gogh
Jane Lurie Photography 
Beautiful!
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I love sunflowers and all these intricate close ups capture the heart and soul of these gorgeous flowers.
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I am with you, Pauline. I just love them. Glad you like my efforts on the close-ups… they are fascinating. Learned that the center pattern follows the Fibonacci sequence. Thanks for your visit.
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Beautiful! Sunflowers have such great personalities! Love the bud images.
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Macro is a fun challenge, Denise. Happy you liked this series. Thank you.
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I love the wit behind you work, it always enlightens me. The sunflower in black and white is another world. love it.
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HI Lita, You are very kind — thank you. A lovely compliment.
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Love the buds, feels like they are opening up before my eyes. ‘At the center’ is cool too. A tease to want to see more of these jewels. Thnx !
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Hi Diane- I immersed myself in the buds and flower…then got into the leaves. So much took at. I had a real creative time and would love to do more. Just shot CA wildflowers so they are coming soon. Thanks!
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I think sunflowers could sustain a photographer for life and never grow old. I like your bud shot–most of us are seduced by the brilliant golden fan effect of the full flower. That one was an unexpected treat.
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I saw the unopened buds at the Farmers Market (was told they are an early crop of sunflowers) and thought they were really interesting…glad you agree, Patricia. Thanks very much.
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These are some serious macro shots, Jane! Amazingly beautiful. Thank you for providing the camera info.
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Thanks so much, Amy. I’m pleased you found the information helpful, too.
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Lovely shots Jane – the details are wonderfully crisp and the compositions are spot on. Loved them.
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Thanks, Tina. So glad you enjoyed these. Focus is a challenge with these.
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Elegant = like a star shinning!!
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What a lovely description. Thanks, Mihran.
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Lovely pictures of the sunflower, you mentioned Vincent van Gogh, i live in the same village as he lived in from 1883 to 1885, so i feel a little bit connected 🙂
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That’s wonderful, Ellen. Is your village near The Hague? Van Gogh is a favorite… an inspiration for this post.
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My village is Nuenen, About 200 km from Den Haag
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Lovely set of images. Your attention to detail in composition and technique is evident in your beautiful work.
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You are very kind, Karen. Thanks so much.
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Sunflowers are a great subject, so I understand (and share) your fascination with them, especially in close and therefore relatively abstract views.
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Steve- Nature is even more intriguing close-up. I’m happy you liked this series– thank you very much.
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Loved this post – the technical info and the stunning results.
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Jane, This was a nice surge of creativity that was so enjoyable. Glad you liked the descriptions, as well. Thank you.
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Jane, a very nice collection.
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Thanks so much, Jörg. Appreciate it.
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Stunning imagery and thank for sharing the info behind each shot. Wow!
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Thanks so much, Tony. Glad you liked these and found the descriptions helpful.
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Wonderful detail and such a beautiful subject!
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Shooting these motivated me to do it more often. Thanks so much, Cynthia.
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really beautiful shots….Loving ‘at the center’…GREAT eye!!!
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Thanks, April. I found the details of the center fascinating. Learned that the spiral follows the Fibonacci equation. Glad you liked this set.
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Muy buena colección!!!!
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Muchas gracias, Pepe!
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💛
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Glad you like these, Wendy. Thanks. 🌻
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So artistic, so sensitive, so good. Super stuff. I like you included Vincent’s quote on Sunflowers as he certainly has immortalised them in his fabulous paintings.
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Hi Paula- That’s very nice of you, thanks so much. I find it easy to get lost in the beauty of sunflowers and Van Gogh is a favorite. I appreciate your kind comment.
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Reblogged this on Santa's Reindeer.
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Thanks for sharing, Santosh. Glad you enjoyed.
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ABC- already been chewed 😉
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Ha- I knew you would like that one, Liz. Glad I made you smile. Thanks!
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A so pleasing to the eye ; the black and white is dazzling.
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Thank you very much, Fernan. I was pleased with the monochrome- glad you agree.
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Sun flowers are my home’s signature flower ….. So particularly loved this post!
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Hi Linda- That’s so nice! They are incredible flowers aren’t they? Happy you liked this intimate look. Thank you.
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A look inside ~ great macro shots Jane, such detail.
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Thanks so much, Randall. Much appreciated.
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Gorgeous details!
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Glad you like this series, Maria. Thanks!
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So much fabulous detail Jane!
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Thank you, Patti. A fun challenge to capture. Happy you enjoyed them.
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The crisp play of yellow and green is such a treat and there really couldn’t be a sunflower post without a quote from van Gogh!
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Thank you, Atreyee (or is this Jesse?) They are small works of art. I agree about Van Gogh!
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You’re right Macro photography certainly is fascinating and beautiful. Beautiful shots.
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Thanks so much, Amanda. I really get lost in the details when shooting, it’s so amazing. Glad you enjoyed these.
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Absolutely lovely. Great pictures. (Suzanne)
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Thank you, Suzanne. Small wonders of nature.
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Beautiful Jane!
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Thanks very much, Jaap. I had fun with these.
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