2 flashes (R200) just behind/above symmetrically relative to the cactus. A diffuser was placed in front of the flashes to soften the light slightly. Not much editing: remove some spider webs, sharpened some thorns, contrasted, white balanced, saturated.
This is San Pedro, cousin of the good ol' Peyote cactus.
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they just announced a puzzle macro challenge this week, and so I was looking through the previous puzzle macro challenges. this one looked quite familiar.
Very nice shot! Doesn't look like a San Pedro though. The spines are too long. It is a peruvian torch which is also a relative of the good old peyote but with double the levels of intoxents.
Terrific detail and a good macro which is close to abstract. Wish the foreground was not quite so dark, but the sharpness of the shot and how that relates to the subject really makes this. Great title too.
Very dpc-friendly image :) the great gradient shadow to black and texturous details are pleasing regardless of the fact that the color is perfect too.. Well done.
You clearly have a mastery of lighting and composition that has turned a simple photo into something exceptional. If you don't ribbon with this, I'll... well, I won't do anything, but I'll be very disappointed.
Valley of Thorns
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