Stellar feedback on smoke

[chauncey]

As they have been so well received am gonna work on some old and new smoke images, but...
I still need some guidance on background colors. The subject here could loosely be described
as a red leaf with various colored backgrounds.

Does anyone have a favorite, or...might there be a better choice?

[Shadowman]

Black is the most dynamic, the violet is the most complementary. Prefer the black.

[Manfred M]

+1 to John's comments.

[IzzieK]

Me too...I like the black...another +1 to John...

[chauncey]

There's no question that black looks more dramatic on an internet display but, I would have
thought that a pastel would be more appropriate for a 30"-40" print.

[Mike Buckley]

Consider using a gradient, a spotlight and other variations in the background. The only plain background that works for me is the black one but even that color would be more appealing to me if tonal variation was added to it.

[bnnrcn]

If you are looking for a color different from black, then violet or blue(the one on the top left corner) might look good. Blue seems good for a contrasty look and violet is complementary as John has already mentioned

[Manfred M]

There's no question that black looks more dramatic on an internet display but, I would have
thought that a pastel would be more appropriate for a 30"-40" print.

Why? I expect a pastel would be even softer as a print.

[Tringa]

I agree balck looks good and also the blue one at top left. However, I like what you have posted, ie all nine together as a single image. Andy Warhol did rather well with this sort of thing, though I find your image more appealing.

Dave

[Dave Humphries]

Hi William,

Black makes a statement, beyond that, I feel the darker tones are generally better than lighter, plus I have a preference for the ones where the background colour is consistent with the colour we see 'through' the smoke (so if that changes, so might the background colour need to).

HTH, Dave

[chauncey]

I expect a pastel would be even softer as a print.

Do not understand Manfred...softer in what way?

I agree black looks good and also the blue one at top left

It would obviously appear that my preference for lighter colors is in the minority.

so if that changes, so might the background colour need to

I use "color range" as a selection process with these images, am finding that it needs a rather delicate
touch to include the smoke and the "see through" parts in appropriate tones. Is a lot easier if you
first alter the color in LR prior to importing into PS.

[Saorsa]

Black seems best at first glance but I think the forest grreen top right complements the colors well and think I end up preferring it.