Almost ready for prime time...

[AlwaysOnAuto]

...but not just yet.

[IzzieK]

Alan...looking good so far...take a picture next time, not a snapshot...

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Thanks for the reminder Izzie.
Today's attempts at some pictures.

[IzzieK]

Awesome! This series is just so beautiful as a theme to follow. The anticipation of what is in your post gets me excited that when we went shopping the other day, I sneaked up a pot plant. It feels like being grilled by cigarette smoking detectives on why I wanted another pot plant...I will have my deck extended this year. Lucky you that you can grow these all year round...

[JBW]

Having moved from snapshot to picture are you ready for the step that will make a world of difference to your primetime potential? If so here it is; (and I certainly have not mastered this step) find a way to have the background enhance the foreground. This can happen in the original shot or in the pp. Either way it is tough to master.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Brian, I'm still trying to master the picture taking part of the program. The background will have to wait a bit.

We have successful separation of the payload fairing...payload deployment has commenced...

[chauncey]

C'mon Alan, do something to conceal the block wall...hang a drape/colored construction paper/anything.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

How do these look?

[JBW]

Now you are getting the idea. This type of shot is really enhanced by a background that helps to create the mood you are trying to capture. You can also do some serious background manipulation with post processing. I see that you are relatively new to the group and that may also mean new to photography? If you are then above all else have fun and don't let the learning curve scare you. you obviously have a good eye and there are lots of very talented people here who will help you with the technical side of things as well as the artistic.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

OK, the plant is progressing at a nice pace.
Some pictures from this morning:

[IzzieK]

What a beautiful progress for this lot...I like that you had covered the brick walls too...I wish Marie will comment too as she has a lot of these in pots...

[JBW]

Very nice. #2 is a perfect example of a background that enhances the foreground. #3 has some nice lines running from top left into the shot that draw the eye nicely to the flower. #1 might work better if you flipped it horizontally? Which raises the question of what soft ware are you using for pp.

Definitely coming along nicely.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Thanks Izzy and Brian. I use a program that came on my computer, Cyberlink PhotoDirector. I find it easier to use that PhotoShop Elements, at least I have up till now. I haven't really taken the time to delve into PSE much.

[IzzieK]

PSE is like its big brother Photoshop product, it is popular so when you wanted to do something like an effect or how-to just google your phrase and add PSE at the end. You will find a lot of tutorials to your level of understanding...then your journey will begin. I have been with Photoshop since version 4 and that was how I learned, just searching for tutorials, not right from the first page of a book...it is easier that way...

[JBW]

Thanks Izzy and Brian. I use a program that came on my computer, Cyberlink PhotoDirector. I find it easier to use that PhotoShop Elements, at least I have up till now. I haven't really taken the time to delve into PSE much.

Post processing can become the main focus (punny punny) for some. Others find minimal pp is what they prefer. No right or wrong here it is all a question of your likes and dislikes. Picasa (free) has some nice capabilities that are for many people quite intuitive and easy to apply. Gimp and RawTherapee (also free) are more complex with quite a learning curve.