Picotee

[FrankMi]

Our runty little Amaryllis Picotee has apparently had growth spurt problems. Usually, this blossom will be on a stalk about 2 feet tall but this one's stalk is only 5" high. When we received it, it had already started to extend its stalk and in the confines of the shipping box the stalk got twisted out of shape as it tried to grow.

Part of the result is that three pedals of one of the blossoms are linked together as if it was holding hands. I decided to post it anyway owing to its unusual presentation. Hopefully next year it will do better.

I am posting two views as I can't decide which I like better.





To give you an idea of the difference between its current and expected height, here it sits to the right of the Flaming Peacock posted earlier this week.



We have several that we hope to see soon so on the window sill, starting from the far end we see the Picotee, Siren, Clown, Sophisticate, Papillio Butterfly, Half & Half, and Emerald. The closest pot contains Red Lion being grown from seeds from last years blossoms. At least I think they are Red Lion?



Enjoy! Comments and criticism's welcomed.

[Brownbear]

Hi Frank,

I prefer the 1st image and I think that is because the beautiful flowers, the colour and the detail is more obvious. Also the green in the stems of the first image seems more vibrant to me.

My Marie, certainly started a craze for these flowers. Lot of plants to water.

[Mike Buckley]

You're complaining about your runt?! If it was in my home, I'd be posting photos of it here proclaiming, "Look, folks! I've managed to keep the plant alive for two days in a row. A personal record!" Regardless of the plant's height, the flowers are drop-dead gorgeous to this person who only has silk flowers and black thumbs.

I think both compositions are equally appealing and very, very nice. The post-processing has brought out more detail in the blossoms of the first one, so my vote goes toward that one.

The background needs to be either lighter to allow detail to show through (I can't tell if it would be appealing) or dark enough to hide everything.

[flashback]

I like the first one, it shows the angle of the stem whereas in #2 it's hidden; I think seeing it adds something. I would prefer to see more of the pot (as in #2) and maybe a bit of rotation to make the pot edge more horizontal. Also a bit more PP to get the background uniform black.

[Marie Hass]

Dear Frank!!!!

Lovely Picotee!!! I like the form on #1. Very pretty how the flowers fall off. Need to do a bit more Levels to darken the blackground. I know, all too often, I find surprises in my pictures when viewed at full size.

The size comparison really brings home the differences in the stalks.

I love Corinne's window!!!! It is so nice to see someone else's "stable" of lovelies.

Marie

[FrankMi]

Great feedback Christina, Mike, Jack and Marie! Corrine liked the first one as well.

It may be because my monitor needs calibration, but the background is solid black on my monitor. No problem, an easy fix. I spent a bit more time on the first one and likely had the vibrance a tad higher. I also added a 15% Gaussian Blur at about 20 pixels to the first one. I may just go back and peak up the second one the same way.

In fact, I may just go back and reshoot to bring in more of the pot as Jack suggests and do it over. It may depend upon how well the blossoms hold up until I can reshoot. Fortunately, there is another 4 blossom stalk on that bulb.

[IzzieK]

Ok...late to the party here as usual, but Frank, I also like #1 for the same reason as Jack's -- the angle is more nicer, the stamen is pronouncedly curved and delight to see. Even the flower next to it with its petals "holding hands" as you said is much nicer too. Overall, #1 for me too.

[Shadowman]

The second image is better, contains more of the pot and background is less distracting.

[FrankMi]

Ok...late to the party here as usual, but Frank, I also like #1 for the same reason as Jack's -- the angle is more nicer, the stamen is pronouncedly curved and delight to see. Even the flower next to it with its petals "holding hands" as you said is much nicer too. Overall, #1 for me too.

Now that you are here, Izzie, the party can really get started! It looks like #1 is most folks favorite so that is the one I'll touch up.

The second image is better, contains more of the pot and background is less distracting.

Thank you John! I have several more Amaryllis coming along so I'll be able to take your suggestions about the prominence of the pot and background to heart!

In reposting #1, it appears that the most noticeable distraction was the background not being totally black so for the update I have darkened the 'black'ground and leveled the pot with the help of the 'Puppet Warp' feature in Photoshop. Please let me know if you see anything else that needs attention.

[Mike Buckley]

The new background is a huge improvement. However, it still displays different shades of black on my profiled and calibrated monitor. Those shades don't show up much when displayed at this small size and might be so slight that they might not even be objectionable. But I would be willing to bet that they would be objectionable when displayed on a large television or in a large print.

Try placing your head above your monitor and looking down at the background. If you see variations in tonality in that situation, they are there. If not, you've solved the problem.

[FrankMi]

The new background is a huge improvement. However, it still displays different shades of black on my profiled and calibrated monitor. Those shades don't show up much when displayed at this small size and might be so slight that they might not even be objectionable. But I would be willing to bet that they would be objectionable when displayed on a large television or in a large print.

Try placing your head above your monitor and looking down at the background. If you see variations in tonality in that situation, they are there. If not, you've solved the problem.

As I had difficulty seeing the variation in the original, due to my monitor or perhaps just my eyesight, I masked the subject and created a new layer with Fill and solid black at 100% for the background. If you can still see differences in the background Mike, then I'm at a loss to understand where they are coming from?

[IzzieK]

I love this one very much, Frank -- the sharpness of it for one, the composition and the angle of the flowers shows those curvy stamen very well and even looking at it from the front, I can already guess the view of the stamen there is also curvy. I still love that praying hands petal. It is unique in its own way.

[Mike Buckley]

I masked the subject and created a new layer with Fill and solid black at 100% for the background. If you can still see differences in the background Mike, then I'm at a loss to understand where they are coming from?

Thanks for mentioning that, Frank. I now realize that the very slight tonal variations I was seeing were reflections of the room in my monitor. I didn't realize that the blinds on a window behind me were raised, allowing enough light into the room to cause that problem. Now that I have lowered that blind, your background appears perfect.

[John 2]

Looks dead black to me as well Frank. The third one has cracked it with the additional touches. It's a very nice image.

[Marie Hass]

That is perfect!!!!

Great job, Frank.

Marie

[FrankMi]

I love this one very much, Frank -- the sharpness of it for one, the composition and the angle of the flowers shows those curvy stamen very well and even looking at it from the front, I can already guess the view of the stamen there is also curvy. I still love that praying hands petal. It is unique in its own way.

Thank you Izzie! Unique it is, from the unusual curved stalk to the fused pedals it certainly is different. I'm glad you like it.

[FrankMi]

Thanks for mentioning that, Frank. I now realize that the very slight tonal variations I was seeing were reflections of the room in my monitor. I didn't realize that the blinds on a window behind me were raised, allowing enough light into the room to cause that problem. Now that I have lowered that blind, your background appears perfect.

Thank you for checking Mike. I was thinking I had yet another issue!

[FrankMi]

Looks dead black to me as well Frank. The third one has cracked it with the additional touches. It's a very nice image.

Glad you like it John! Your comments are appreciated.

[FrankMi]

That is perfect!!!!

Great job, Frank.

Marie

Coming from you Marie, that is an honor. BTW, I just noticed the Picotee's second stalk has five blossoms on it! I've never seen more than 4 before. This cute little runt will end up with 9 blossoms!

[bnnrcn]

Hi Frank, sorry for being late. #1 looks wonderful after your treatment I like the way flowers stand and I like the soft green and soft pink colours very much.