Clinging to Life

comments/critiques welcomed

Interesting in its simplicity. Makes a statement. The background is fine - doesn't add anything but doesnot detract. Almost would like a tighter crop so that I can see waht is reflected in the drops better. Hope the foot is improving. -- Charles

Hi Charles -

 

This was from the last series of photos I took before having my foot surgery (doing much, much better a week out). I thought about cropping, but there is absolutely nothing in the drops - what you see the background color through the water. The drops act like a magnifying glass. Shortly after I took this, I accidentally hit the branch and dispatched the droplets to the ground... : ( ...and so it ended the shoot. I figured that something like this would be a big "risk" to put up, but decided to live dangerously and just do it. Thanks for your commets!

Like the simple design and the presentation at angle. Over all it is dark. I played with it Lighted it a bit then increased the contrast and the drops popped out.

Hi Sandra! This has a quiet, peaceful, and simple Zen like feeling to it. Lovely.

 

"The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass."

Dogen

 

 

Linda- Thanks for the comments; I love the quote!

 

Iftikhar - I appreciate your comments. I would like to see your revision - if you intended to attach it, it wasn't there. I did add light accent using curves and increased the contrast. I had trouble not losing the rich mossy greens and the soft reddish color of the branch if I altered very much. It was a gray, rainy day, but I was using a good flash.

Hope you are mending fast since this is no time for a foot to keep you from getting up. Lovely shot Sandra - I brought it into photoshop - clicked auto contrast and made a slight color balance change. This is what I would do if it was my image but you have to be comfortable with what you produced - at least it shows you another possibilty. Best regards as I listen to sweet tones of Sarah Brightman singing "Fields of Gold".,

Tony - I see that the night owl is on the prowl. Thanks for our time and comments! I looked at your revision. For me it takes the rich moss color out of the background and leaves the leaf looking a little too light and over-exposed. This may be a bit dull.. I think I tend to go for darker, rich, brooding jewel tone colors... and I hate to do anything that reduces deep color tones. I played a little more with the original with cures, contrast, levels. I don't seem to get too far past this before I feel it's too bright (it was pretty dull when I shot this)... and this is pretty much faithful to the subject as shot.

That is fine - just showing another possibility and the more I look at your version, the more I am appreciating it - it is 'slow love' which usually turns out to be the best kind.

Tony-

 

I always value your input and really enjoy looking at alternative post-processing outcomes. This is part of the artistic give and take that I cherish the most. Check out the framed version of this pic in my non-floral plant portfolio - )