2014/2013/earlier fine art Smoke, Candles, and Young Girl Dreams - (enlarge)

2 of the images I took at my Grandaughter's Birthday Party in April

did not quite turn out. Both were Blurry and the external flash did

not go off. But these muted images were appealing. I put them

together and made this composition. I hope you enjoy it. (any visits,

comments are always appreciated, most sincerely, Gail)

Very imaginative and dream like . It has a painted canvas look to it , the sort of thing you see in modern Galleries ! Bill

Dreamy and beautiful, Gail.

Regards

Eystein

A beautiful and original result, Gail!

With best regards,

Ruud.

Hi Gail,

The EXIF data is ok.

You most likely metered on the brightest portion of the image, thus resulting in a darker image.

A defocused image behaves differently from one that is focused, too.

Using F/2.8 allows for the scene to quickly become defocused. Using ISO 1600 provides that graininess in the regions that were under exposed. You have stumbled across a technique for producing this result; and a very effective "analog" use of your lens for this subject.

When you pushed up the darker regions, that is when this interesting effect became noticeable in a good way.

Warmest Regards, Mike

Gail,

  Beautiful creative image with wonderful colors.  Take care, Patsy

I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this one. I put a canvas layer over it that worked pretty good without taking away from the composition. Many thanks for your visit and input!

My appreciation for your visit and  positive expressions re this image.

thank you for explaining this to me, I will have to put this recipe in my Journal for future reference!!! What I thought was a mistake, (although I liked the results) is now of good use to me. thankfully you knew what I had done. I appreciate your taking the time to explain it to me Mike.

Excellent creative work,Gail. The image has a dreamlike quality.

Hello Amal, such a nice surprise. I was just looking at your latest images. Beautiful work. I appreciate your thoughts on this image, encouragement is always inspiring.

Sincere thanks for your thoughts expressed, your support and time taken to drop by are always appreciated.

Excellent work, sometimes the you get the most joy out of surprises like this.  Your granddaughter looks angelic.

Wonderful!!

Cheers

Hello Alberto,

You always come to visit, and I'm always glad to see that you have. Keep smiling, knowing that you are, puts a smile on my face,

warmest regards, Gail

What is life if we don't have even 'little surprises'. I am glad this was one for you as it was for me. I appreciate hearing from you,

Warmest regards, Gail

Excellent work Gail. What a nice, compelling, dreamy image. It's interesting, unusual, and well composed. The title is a good choice to go with it too.

Thank you for your visit Chuck!! I appreciate your visit and those lovely words about the image.

Very creative, artistic and dreamy! Very well done! Nice title. Thank you for sharing. :)

Hi Gail, You certainly are the creative one. Very interesting and obviously original, the pleasant warm colors creat a happy mood and that would work nicely with the fact that its a birthday party. It took me a moment to see the lovely face above the candles. Amazing work Gail. Take care.

Warm Regards,

Holger

Very INTENSE dear Gail, love it!

very nice ambience and color...sensitive as usual Gail...regards....David

Beautiful background textures and wonderful treatment of candle flames. Your magical F2.8 tour continues!

You turned lemons into lemonade and found the recipe for it. Nice save.

Thank you Dave for that very nice compliment. Always learning, with every image.