One of the Guardians of our garden or Allow me to introduce one of my muses

[JBW]

the consensus is that I missed the mark on this one. I went back made some adjustments. The question is for me what do you think? Is there the tiniest bit of the mysterium tremendum that I tried to achieve?

[JohnRostron]

Is it just me and my tablet, or is this image lacking in brightness and contrast?

John

[JBW]

Is it just me and my tablet, or is this image lacking in brightness and contrast?

John

It is certainly soft and subtle. But on my screens I can see multiple hues of purple and blue both in the flower and the guardian. perhaps it is best to remember that both guardians and muses shun bright lights.

[JohnRostron]

Having moved to my desktop, I can actually see that there is a butterfly in the bell of the flower! I downloaded you image and increased the contrast. It looked a lot clearer to me, but I would agree that it perhaps lacks the softness and subtlety of the original.

John

[JBW]

Having moved to my desktop, I can actually see that there is a butterfly in the bell of the flower! I downloaded you image and increased the contrast. It looked a lot clearer to me, but I would agree that it perhaps lacks the softness and subtlety of the original.

John

In reality it is a very soft and subtly colored flower. However, this was my first attempt at combining two different shots and there may well be ways to bring out more details and still keep it gentle.

I am pleased that you don't seem to think that the butterfly looks fake?

[Brownbear]

Hi Brian,

I love this image for the compositions, colours, and that special little butterfly... My absolute favourite but think it needs something... Perhaps just a little brighter, higher exposure... a little less low key?

[DanK]

It doesn't look fake to me, except that I have never seen a transparent butterfly. However, I have to agree with John--it's washed out and indistinct from a lack of tonal range and contrast. This is why:



A simple curves adjustment (I hope you don't mind my posting), while not a very good edit in general, shows the impact of increasing the tonal range and adding contrast:

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

I love this image for the compositions, colours, and that special little butterfly... My absolute favourite but think it needs something... Perhaps just a little brighter, higher exposure... a little less low key?

made some adjustments and put it up with the original

[JBW]

It doesn't look fake to me, except that I have never seen a transparent butterfly. However, I have to agree with John--it's washed out and indistinct from a lack of tonal range and contrast. This is why:



A simple curves adjustment (I hope you don't mind my posting), while not a very good edit in general, shows the impact of increasing the tonal range and adding contrast:

Not looking fake is good. I made some adjustments and put the new shot in with the first one.

[Shadowman]

I wouldn't even touch the flower, I would just highlight the butterfly. Nice catch.

[Brownbear]

Yes... Lovely!

made some adjustments and put it up with the original

[JBW]

Yes... Lovely!

[JBW]

I wouldn't even touch the flower, I would just highlight the butterfly. Nice catch.

I could try that too. Maybe something like this:

[Shadowman]

I could try that too. Maybe something like this:

Perhaps an adjustment of the black sliders to separate from the background.

[JBW]

Back sliders?