Japanese Maple Leaf 2-6-2013

Stepping outside into the yard on a clear sunny afternoon, the direct sunlight glowing straight through a low-hanging Japanese maple branch immediately caught my eye. The rich crimson foliage stood out in sharp, clean contrast against the bright blue sky and scattered white clouds drifting slowly overhead.

Shot tight using a narrow depth of field, the composition centers directly on the intricate structure of a single palmate leaf backlit by natural light. Fine vein networks glow translucent against the darker edges of the foliage, while a softly blurred background gives the serrated leaf points crisp separation across high-resolution desktop screens.