by the creek

A beautiful composition with very nice lighting and details, Wolfgang!

I like this monocromes processing. Fits very well with the motiv.  Regards A.W

A delicate, wispy dance. You've isolated the branches and leaves wonderfully. The strong focus etches them against the amorphous background. It's a bit like a question and an answer, from one branch to the other. One is a little more bold, the other more demure.

many thanks for your comments. It might be a bit unsharp and "sink" into background blur: the curved darker area between the branches is a bridge - to me, having seen the real scene - it's obvious - but: is it perceptible by an unbiased view?

cheers, Wolfgang

The background area you talk of as a bridge did not seem that way to me. It, perhaps, might feel that way with a little tweaking, if you're so inclined. For instance, if the lighter spots along the curve (they are almost like polka dots of light) were a bit highlighted (probably best to stay subtle, though it would depend what you wanted), then the light might carry me from one branch to the next along the darker curve. I think a bridge between the two branches could also be established if I felt the light traveling more from one branch to the other. As it is, the light on both branches is pretty even. Were the light source to seem to be coming from, say, the left of the picture and leading to the smaller branch, that could establish a bit of a bridge.

many thanks for re-visiting and detailed comment and suggestions. My idea was to keep the bridge on the verge of concious perception - this point is obviously is hard to find (and anyway dependent on the viewer). Here's a quick & dirty version with brighter turf around the brigde.

cheers, Wolfgang

For me, your version with the lighter background zaps energy from the branches. What do you think?

you're absolutely right! As mentioned - it was rather quick & dirty try yesterday. I concentrated on adapting the background and missed keeping eye on main subject.

In fact, in the first version my idea was to achieve highest possible contrast between highlighted leaves and background while still keeping the bridge in the picture (even if only barely perceptible).

Many thanks for this discussion!

cheers, Wolfgang

Hi again Wolfgang. Thank you for your comments. I viewing some of your work I find you much enjoy monochromatic. This is a powerful photo and have seen the discussion of fellow photographers. With or withouth more "bridge" to me this picture centers on the brightness (almost lit) quality of the flowers against the blurred background. This is what makes this picture pleasing as a fine art work.