Peony

[Vrgl]

Here's a shot of spring peonies. C&C welcome. Does it have enough detail? Is it flat?

[Geoff F]

Could you show the whole flower, Mary?

While there isn't really anything 'wrong' with this shot it somehow doesn't get me excited. Although very little does nowadays.

Possibly a little bit of Local Contrast Enhancement, or something similar, to boost the contrast a little?

[Kaye Leggett]

Hi Mary
I'm still waiting for my peonies to come out so it was lovely to see you photo, the detail is great. I would have been tempted to crop to lose some of the green background top left which although blurred still is a distraction for me.

[Vrgl]

HI Geoff- Alas the peonies were in a vase ( jar actually) and the background was hideous hence the crop. I know- a flower is a flower been there done that--but I'm trying to learn how to give "depth" and "life" to my images. Also white has been a learning curve also not to blow out. I will try to brush some contrast in and see how that works. Thanks for your help!-mary

[Vrgl]

HI Kaye- The background is really hideous if not blurred. I'm sure my neighbors thought me strange to see me moving around the backyard with a vase (jar) of peonies-putting them down, shaking my head, picking them up, moving them,putting them down, repeat, repeat. I'll try again when the next buds open up-thanks for all your suggestions--mary

[Vrgl]

I went back and did a different crop.I think it's better--what do you think?

[FootLoose]

Oh yes, definitely better, Mary.

[Kaye Leggett]

Yes, I too prefer the second image. Its almost as if you have a flower sitting in another flower and gives me a white on white feel, which works very well. I tried yellow tulip with yellow background earlier in the spring and was pleased with the result so I think, now you've given me the idea again, I'll try the white on white with peonies (when they come out).

[Vrgl]

Thanks for the feedback Greg and Kaye! Looking forward to your attempts kaye--mary