Spring light

Description: I was on my usual weekend hike and I was drawn to these backlit leaves just starting to unfurl at the End of April

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Any feedback welcome

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Is this a composite? (focus stacks or exposure blends are not considered composites)
Single image 1/1600 f6.3 iso 400. 400mm on full frame

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What beautiful light on that emerging leaf. I love the shadows of the other parts of it and the way the rim light fades down the stem. It’s interesting having that OOF one in the back, but its placement feels a bit odd. I think because it crosses the other stem right at the edge of the frame.

Yes, the soft light, quite unexpected really, and the sharp color of the unfolding bud, especially the backlighting, make this an exceptional photograph. I too would love to see it without the oof bud.