Lilly

A different look than the others I've taken. What do you think? I

wanted the flower to have a slightly glowing look and I also decided

to leave some detail in the background (although not much). Any

comments? Thanks in advance!!! Brian

This is a beautiful art image, the lines in the flower just wonderful. The black forms in the background are an excellent foil. I don't like that the flower is hugging the top.

Hi Brian:

 

You definitely achieved your goal of the "glowing" effect. In fact, that's what immediately caught my attention in the thumb nail, was the similarity to a decorative fluted glass lighting sconce. Superb! Similar to Earl's comment about it hugging the top, that very slightly detracted from my over all aesthetic appreciation. However, the slight hint of the stem below and with the curl of the flower itself bringing the eye back down toward the mid-center of the image my eye was led right back into the vertical lines and the creation of a visual "loop". Coupled with the diagnol line created by the feint background, I'm not sure that it hugging the top would bother me enough not to want it hanging on my wall. ;) It might just add to my appreciation as if the "sconce" were more center it might just remove the sense of "whimsy" of it "floating". (Not sure "whimsy" is the word I'm looking for. LOL) Very nice. Very nice indeed.

 

EDIT:

 

My only personal preference, would be if their were just a slight bit more shading in large solid white area on the top of the petal where the flower curls back into the image to give it just a slight bit more detail definition. But that's a nit picking on my part I'm hestitant to even express as a personal preference as you far exceed anything I could have done and this image is superb as is.

Stefano - thanks for the great review! I totally agree with what you said - especially about the curl and the lighting around the stem pulling your eye back down in to the image. I didn't have any more room to work with on top but I do think it would be nice to have a little more space.

 

Earl - at one point I had pretty much blocked out the background (it was almost black) but I think you're right about it creating a nice setting for the flower.

 

Thanks again!!

Brian:

 

You're very welcome. The compliments are well-deserved.

 

With regard to the background and it being totally black. Again, personal preference, but if the background were a solid black the centering would be more of an issue, but this image would be less interesting imho with a solid black background. Eitherway it would still be a wonderful image, but I think the hint of the background texture really contributes to this image and gives it much more depth and interest than just a well-lit flower. Those are the type of additional details that really make a nice photograph fine art and not just a pretty and well technically done image of my favorite flower.

 

EDIT:

 

I failed to mention... The fact that there is the slight hint of texture or detail in the background rather than a solid black only contributes to the glowing effect, as if the light coming from the flower is what's illuminating the background.

Interesting observation about the background appearing to be lit by the flower - excellent point!

 

I had originally intended to have a black background but the image was definately more interesting and had more depth this way - your personal preference is right on!

 

Thanks again for the comments.

now why in the hell this is rated below some of the shittiest photos on this site is beyond me. i think this is a fantastic image, though i would question the composition a bit. the flower should be lower and the cropping on the right side should be a bit tighter, imo. good idea with good execution. keep it up.