Back in the garden with new? and improved?? skills?

[JBW]

[Marie Hass]

Very nice! I love the composition, colors and different textures.

What if you removed the brown palm leaf? in the foreground?

While I realize it is a naturally occurring element in a garden, I would like to concentrate on the lovely magenta in the leaves.

'Rie

[JBW]

Very nice! I love the composition, colors and different textures.

What if you removed the brown palm leaf? in the foreground?

While I realize it is a naturally occurring element in a garden, I would like to concentrate on the lovely magenta in the leaves.

'Rie

Without the two brown leaves would the magenta be as well set off? I see them as both a frame for the leaves and as an arrow drawing my eyes in. But then I have been wrong before.

[Marie Hass]

Brian,

I do not know the answer to that one.

When did you take this picture? Is it too late to try the shot without?

To me, the lovely magenta color is enough to draw the eye.

But then, I also have been wrong before.

'Rie

[JBW]

Brian,

I do not know the answer to that one.

When did you take this picture? Is it too late to try the shot without?

To me, the lovely magenta color is enough to draw the eye.

But then, I also have been wrong before.

'Rie

I may be on the road to fanaticism... before 07:00 I was in the garden to see if the blossoms were still there. They weren't but net time i see a similar shot I shall remember this chat.
B.

[Stagecoach]

Very good Brian. Always debatable how much you clean up around a shot like this I have no strong view either way.

What I did feel is that it is somewhat 'dark' but that may very well have been your intention. Here's a quick play I had with it, raised the brightness (using exposure in ACR), some burning to remove the lighter distraction of the edge of the right side rocks and a vignette. An improvement, maybe, but different, yes



Grahame

[JBW]

Very good Brian. Always debatable how much you clean up around a shot like this I have no strong view either way.

What I did feel is that it is somewhat 'dark' but that may very well have been your intention. Here's a quick play I had with it, raised the brightness (using exposure in ACR), some burning to remove the lighter distraction of the edge of the right side rocks and a vignette. An improvement, maybe, but different, yes



Grahame

I have also posted this in my 52 thread. There it was suggested a brightening would help but that it just might blow out the reds. Your brightening comes close to that problem.

Just because inquiring minds want to know... why do you prefer brightening and then a vignette? Rather than the individual brightening of the petals against a darker background. Just curious. It is certainly a valid way to approach the shot.
B.

[Stagecoach]

I have also posted this in my 52 thread. There it was suggested a brightening would help but that it just might blow out the reds. Your brightening comes close to that problem.

Just because inquiring minds want to know... why do you prefer brightening and then a vignette? Rather than the individual brightening of the petals against a darker background. Just curious. It is certainly a valid way to approach the shot.
B.

Hi Brian,

The reds. Yes it has pushed them up but not yet anywhere near blowing them, but I think I have pushed them too far on that example. A good example where it is often useful to have two images side by side when modifying one rather than relying upon memory.

I don't actually 'prefer' brightening then adding a vignette (which is something I rarely use) it was the first method that I thought of to focus more light on the petals. Individually brightening just the petals is an option but for me and my selection skills comes lower down the options order

In hindsight, to enhance the light on those petals a 'radial gradient' may have been the easiest option. I may have a go at this and try to find a compromise between your original and my mod.

Grahame

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

The reds. Yes it has pushed them up but not yet anywhere near blowing them, but I think I have pushed them too far on that example. A good example where it is often useful to have two images side by side when modifying one rather than relying upon memory.

I don't actually 'prefer' brightening then adding a vignette (which is something I rarely use) it was the first method that I thought of to focus more light on the petals. Individually brightening just the petals is an option but for me and my selection skills comes lower down the options order

In hindsight, to enhance the light on those petals a 'radial gradient' may have been the easiest option. I may have a go at this and try to find a compromise between your original and my mod.

Grahame

With mine I used the lasso option to isolate the petals and did work with them on their own. Did the same thing to put in different gaussian blurs. Have fun!