Amaryllis for Marie

[IzzieK]

You will get angry at me Frank Miller but I still prefer #1 and #2. The third one and the last one are starting to look haggard. If you compare the curves of the petals from the first and second one from the 3rd and 4th one, the first and second ones has the fresher look. The third one although the composition is really love there, I just cannot find the freshness the other two conveys. Just nitpicking -- I hope you do not mind. On the 4th shot, the back supporting the flower looks fresher than the main subject.

And I am missing Marie's response too. Had she seen these shots? Or is she laughing her head off in the background or something? Someone once mentioned to e "energy" of a flower in her case, an orchid). It is either Christina or Shane correct me if I am wrong...maybe what is lacking is Marie's energy to bring out the beauty of your dedicating this flower post to her? Just an observation...

[FrankMi]

Well Frank, I have to agree with your young lady ! I do like all your shots though. I lack the skill or patience for this sort of photography so am unable to provde learned comment. I would stick with sharpness in this case but I guess that is just a matter of personal taste.

Dave

Thank you for you views Dave! We are all learning and I certainly have a LOT more to learn. Personal taste is one of the things that make us individuals.

[FrankMi]

My favourites are #3 and #4... With #4 being the definite favourite because of the composition and the lovely green colours seen in the flower petals - especially beautiful!

No changes and even if I could think of any I've had enough post processing exercises to last me for months.

Thank you Christina. My darling wife likes #4 best as well owing to the composition that pleases her.

[FrankMi]

You will get angry at me Frank Miller but I still prefer #1 and #2. The third one and the last one are starting to look haggard. If you compare the curves of the petals from the first and second one from the 3rd and 4th one, the first and second ones has the fresher look. The third one although the composition is really love there, I just cannot find the freshness the other two conveys. Just nitpicking -- I hope you do not mind. On the 4th shot, the back supporting the flower looks fresher than the main subject.

And I am missing Marie's response too. Had she seen these shots? Or is she laughing her head off in the background or something? Someone once mentioned to e "energy" of a flower in her case, an orchid). It is either Christina or Shane correct me if I am wrong...maybe what is lacking is Marie's energy to bring out the beauty of your dedicating this flower post to her? Just an observation...

Don't be silly Izzie. I don't get angry when someone presents a point of view that I hadn't considered. I look forward to the feedback to give me ideas to explore and new directions to move in. As I try to see the images through your vision, I notice that the first two have a more muted color than the last two. Perhaps the last two could benefit from a softer look? I'm not sure.

I am confused on how to apply 'fresh' to an image like this. Something I'll need to learn I expect and hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.

I do hope Marie can chime in and give us her perspective! Although I knew I couldn't compete with her experience in photographing these beauties, at least now I have something to work and play with!

[Brownbear]

I took another look, and #3 & #4 are still my favourites for the same reasons but I think the reds may be a bit vivid... ie; I like the reds in the 1st image best or a red in between the two. Just personal preference.

Beautiful! Worth printing one for your darling wife!

Thank you Christina. My darling wife likes #4 best as well owing to the composition that pleases her.

[FrankMi]

I took another look, and #3 & #4 are still my favourites for the same reasons but I think the reds may be a bit vivid... ie; I like the reds in the 1st image best or a red in between the two. Just personal preference.

Beautiful! Worth printing one for your darling wife!

The more I compare them, the more I think you are correct Christina. I didn't compare them as I was processing so it is very difficult to process them identically even though it is the same set of blossoms. I'll try reducing the vibrance of the last one but folks are likely tired of seeing the same image posted yet again so I'll hold on the final result for my wife. She is so sweet. She appreciates everything I do for her no matter how poor my attempts. I am truly a lucky guy!

Thank you everyone for your helpful comments and thoughtful feedback!

[Stagecoach]

Hi Frank,

Looks like you have experienced the same encounters I have met when PPing some of my bug series.

My latest practice has been to take a WB reading using a grey card during the session for the lighting being used so I can adjust all images to the same figure (or the figure that I decide for the first processed).

During processing of the first image I note down any colour/saturation change figures so that I can apply equal adjustments to all.

Once work has been completed on the first image I leave this open so that during (if needed) and at the end of the second image I can compare with the first.

This needs a bit of discipline but I was finding that at the end of perhaps producing 5 different images of the same bug taken during one session they were all quite different with respect to colour/contrast etc although all acceptable on their own.

I suspect this is what is considered absolutely essential and normal practice by many who are more experienced than me but I have just come to realise it's importance.

Grahame

[SpiderBob]

I like this last one for sure the best. The distinction between the reds and whits are fabulous, and gee, no background to deal with (except black of course). Great shots all of them.

[FrankMi]

Hi Grahame, I appreciate you comments. I don't get too concerned when the post processing comes out different for several images in a series. I sometimes find that, like we have here, I can compare the results and if I decide that I like the composition of one and the color, vibrance, brightness, sharpness, whatever, of another, I can go back and change the one with the preferred composition to look more like the other. This is made easier when using layers and merging results as I can reopen the photoshop file, view, choose, and remerge any of the steps I used to process the image.

Hi Bob, I'm glad you like the last one! I wasn't going to post any more changes but I did take the last one and instead of changing the vibrancy, I applied a dreamy effect to slightly soften the image without changing anything else.

To apply the effect, I duplicated the final image, applied a Gaussian Blur of 30 (YES, 30!) pixels, then changed the opacity to reveal 85% of the original image and 15% of the Gaussian Blurred image which resulted in the following:



You may not be able to tell the difference unless you open the image in lightbox and use the arrow keys to switch between the images. But then, that's the point. The change could be made more dramatic by changing the percentage of Opacity, but I wanted to soften the image just enough to take the 'edge' off and be more soothing.

[Marie Hass]

Oh, my!!!! Frank, I did miss these! My trusty laptop has been in the shop for cleaning for the past week, and I have not been on the internet.

One of the features of amaryllis is their color, and to stay true to their variety is an art. You have done an excellent job.

Frank, I read through the posts, and there was some question about how I achieve my black background, and you are right. I set the plant on a stool or tray table in front of the open doorway and shoot from my sunroom into the darkened living room - A black background studio on a budget, LOLS. I then use levels and the black eye dropper to set black. If I need to, I use a clear brush to bring the original color back to the flower. In Nik, I might use the Detail filter on a low setting, and maybe brilliance/warmth, but little else.

Hi, Isabel. I did miss this post. My laptop that I usually use to mess about in the Internet was in the shop for a much needed blow-out. It was running very hot, and the techie said it was filthy. I do not doubt that in the least, as it has not been cleaned since I purchased it 5 years ago. But in a way, I am glad because I have gotten to learn from everyone else's responses to Frank's work!!!!

Really nice, Frank!!! I hope to see more?

Marie

[IzzieK]

Oh so sorry Marie about your laptop...but on the other hand, you are lucky to have brought it to the shop to blow the dust all off before it creates more problems later on in the peace.

Thank you for the tip on the black background straight from the horse's mouth! My little brain will not be able to think of it had Frank and you never mentioned it...saves $$$$ too.

Agree with you about Frank's amaryllis...

[Marie Hass]

Tomorrow, when I have some light, I will post some "workshop" pictures for you. I will also try to post some before during and after processing pictures, if you like.

Marie