What makes this image work is the transformation from flat natural light to controlled lighting.
By darkening the background, the subject becomes the clear point of focus.
The main light reveals the structure of the leaves, while the rim lights add separation and dimension.
The small touch of light on the brown patch in the background adds depth and breaks the uniform green, making the scene feel more alive without distracting from the subject.

– amaran Ace 25c + Grid
– Adaptalux Flexible LED Lights

Camera: Canon R5
Lens: RF 100mm Macro
Aperture: f/5
Focus stacking: ~30 images

I started by observing the subject and testing light by hand to get a feel for how it could look.
To improve separation, I placed my camera upside down on the tripod to get as low as possible and push the background further away.
I underexposed the scene by about 4 stops to remove ambient light and create a darker base.
I placed the Ace 25c on the left as the main light to define the subject.
Then I added two flexible LEDs behind the subject, one on each side, to create subtle rim light and reveal texture.
The image felt too green at that point, so I introduced a third light further back to illuminate a small brown patch, adding contrast and depth.
I captured around 30 focus bracket images at f/5 and stacked them in post.

Even when things don’t go exactly as planned…
sometimes the image is still there, waiting to unfold.