Purple Sage

Trying for a bit of a different perspective, to move away from the

"usual" flower picture. Does this image do that? How about the light

and the compositional elements? I appreciate your comments.

Interesting but eye wanders from diffused purple clump on right to bright pink blob on left and then to the main stalk that is rather dark against the BG. Ideally pink flowers could be eliminated by a different angle of view.

I cropped out the right purple clump but could do nothing to the pink blob. Lightened the BG a bit and increase the contrast.See what you think. Thanks for sharing. Regards ifti

David, it is hard to produce flower images that are original as it is with just about all types of photography. I find this a fairly average image the lighting is o.k the background is a bit too busy for my liking. I wish I could tell you how to produce original flower images. I find myself in the same boat, have not posted anything for ages mainly because I like to also be original. Good luck and all the best............roger

Thank you for taking time not only to look and comment, but to spend time working on my picture. Just FYI, the pink blob is actually a peone blossom, and I thought the bit of color there, off focus, might be a nice contrast. Annoying and distracting to you, I see. I had also thought the other out of focus spike of Sage plus the leaf above it added to the composition's balance. Again, we see it differently, and that's why I put it up for critique. I will study your crop, and I'll likely try taking more of these flowers - they bloom all summer - and try leaving out the pink background. Thanks again.

You're so right about trying to do anything new with flowers that someone hasn't already tried... but I'll keep at it, too. Thanks for looking and commenting.

I find this to be a very well composed and extremely pleasing image to look at. It has a wonderful sense of calm. I do not much care for the brighter version suggested. The image might benefit from a slight increase in brightness however the tones you have at the moment are moody and a bit brooding which I like. The OOF background is great. The interplay between the sharply focused inflorescence and the two softer ones, in particular the shorter one to the right, makes for a balanced composition. The upright stalks and the leaves in the background add structure as well as a sense of depth. I like the muted colours in the background the pink peony works for me. To my eye this is a careful constructed and well balanced image, I sense that quite a bit of time and deliberation went into this and oh yeah it most definitely is original and not your run of the mill floral photo.

How wonderfully affirming! You've zeroed in on all the elements that I did, in fact, carefully consider in making this image, and it's just plain exciting to know that you see it! It ain't too bad, either, that you like what you see :) Thanks for giving me such a thorough evaluation of this image.

Very nice shot,congrat

 

 

I agree that your composition and crop show personality, thought, and give the viewer a little more depth than just zeroing in on a single flower stalk. I don't know that the solution is in getting rid of the background as much as balancing it with your subject. As far as brightness, like Gordon I appreciate your moody approach, although some selective highlighting as punctuation often works to great effect and allowing the background to recede a bit more might be worth considering. I do agree with Roger that flower photos are difficult, especially difficult to come up with something new. I think it's a process and nuance is probably among the most important qualities to consider.

When I did my daffodil recently, I was pointed toward CY DECOSSE (on my computer, it seems to take a few extra seconds to load, so be patient).

Note the amazing textures he realizes and the ways in which, even with much going on, he moves and focuses your eyes. Note also the depth and richness of his colors, without going over the top or reaching the oft-seen neon stage. (I especially like the reflection photo, second on top from the left.)

Cy Decosse's work is amazingly beautiful... breathtaking. One can't miss seeing the rich textures and multidimensionality of Decosse's vision. He is so much the master, playing the light and composition like a very fine violin! I also very much admire how skilled and adept he is in PP. Thank you for introducing me to his work!

Your suggestions are interesting, and I'm eager to work with them and see what comes out. If the result/s improve on the original, then I'll post. As always, I much appreciate the thoughtfulness of your comments, and that you've taken time to look and write. Thank you, Fred.