A Rose (please view larger version)

... "Whose wreath of rhyme has wrought

 

The rose of Time in bloom."

 

"Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days!

Come near me, while I sing the ancient ways:" - Yeats

 

 

... but this is a classic example of how PN resizing and recompression destroys a photograph. If you look at this version and then compare it to the "larger" version, which is full size, it is like looking at a completely different image, one with horrible edging artifacts among other problems. I guess the only solution is to make an image so small that PN will not resize and recompress it.

Your quote, and Michael's Yeats are both apropos for the beauty of this photograph. Cheers! Chris

... But seek alone to hear the strange things said

By God to the bright hearts of those long dead.

 

And I thought I was the one who sings the ancient ways :) Thank you, for a Yeats to my Sassoon.

... thought I'd do something a little different today, in honor of Roger Sonneland, who reminded me that there was another architect at work in this world.

So true; so true...And this photograph does that 'architect's' work justice, my friend. Cheers! C

Yep. You're right. The smaller version has none of the grandeur and artistry of the larger one. It looks pixelated and grainy, whereas the larger version looks like it's sprung from the Dutch Renaissance. Here's to living large.

OK, now your just showing off.....LOL. This is Amazing! the gradation of tones is immaculate and the depth you have achieved is equally impressive. I feel like I can reach in and touch it, how did you light this?

my dear Dennis, what a absolute treat to find this lovely rose! When I went through your portfolio, your ability with light and composition was what stood out for me, I wondered at the time how you would see flowers, well thank you for sharing this with us, as I now see they are of the same caliber as all your work. I am not spending much time on p/n at the moment as we run a b&b and our next day off is not until the 30th of March. Have a look where were at, www.ngaiobay.co.nz It's not a bad place to be, and here we are having the best summer we have had in the last 30 years. All the best my friend.........roger

 

p.s. larger version by far the best.......

The sharpness and intensity of colors are magnified in the larger version. The two unopened buds near the rose add a captivating touch to the composition. I like how the soft light is so well focused on the flower like an actor on a stage. Did you take this on a cloudy day? I always knew that your talent was limitless. ;)

Gorgeous, artfully made, and appropriately dedicated. (And you are right, of course, about the serious compression problems here.) Regards...

beautiful...congrats

It must be seen large!it is another corner of natural architecture... and you are so good in both of them!

 

The colors and forms are intensive, simply gorgeous.

This is excellent Dennis,it's three-dimensional!!! Truly, that rose, seen larger of course, seems to be jumping out of my monitor. A wonderful work. May I ask you if you used some light-painting here?

 

Cheers,

Paolo

now you are going floral at us. You must be in some mood? Having said that, yes it's well lit, nicely framed and sharp where it has to be but, with all due respect that doesn't make it a very intersting or special photo which I don't think this is, Sorry.

"Because he had what's needed for a wise man to find salvation:the primitive eye that catches nourishment flying high,the creative,updated every day innocence to see constantly for the first time everything ,and giving virginity to eternal daily-common elements,the wind,the sea,fire,woman,bread."

Rough translation from Zorba,the Greek.

... didn't think that this shot would get many comments, especially since the small version is so badly artifacted, but thanks to you all.

 

Jeff, your Dutch Renaissance comment hit me right where I live, since I was going for that look. Should have known that your painterly soul would find the alignment.

 

Tim, you are such a funny guy. You made me so self-conscious with your "Academy" speech that I had to try something outdoors :) I love seeing your posts. It's like someone put a whoopie cushion on the principal's chair.

 

Roger, this was, of course, directly inspired by your own work. As I said above to Chris, you reminded me that there was another architect at work here.

 

Adan, this was taken on a very cloudy day at the Prieure Saint Cosme in Tours, perfect for shooting the huge rose garden there. I highly recommend it if you get out that way. As for the "trick", read down to my coming response to Paolo.

 

Joseph, thanks for the compliment. I'm glad you took the time to look at the larger version, because it is not even close to the first image. I don't blame the folks who rated it low.

 

Mehmet, thanks again. It's nice to see your name on my pictures. I admire your work greatly (and that is something that I can say about every single person whose name is on this list).

 

Pnina, I like to think of this as an architecture shot :) Maybe we'll see you in the US?

 

Paolo ... thanks for your kind words. In order to isolate the rose and the buds, and then to just give a hint of the leaves in the background, I did Orton blending. It's a very simple procedure that, with the right touch, gives wonderful results.

 

Ton, thanks for your honest appraisal. Now (drumroll, leading to a line that I will steal gladly from George Bernard Shaw, another drumroll) ... I agree ... (bigger drumroll) ... but who are we two against so many? :))) I've been waiting YEARS to use that line. Actually, Ton, outside of my chosen field, I do feel like a novice, searching for a way around. I am far less confident than I am with my trusty 24mm TS, Manfrotto tripod, and Canon dSLR looking at the inside of a Romanesque church.

 

Photis, can't believe how you made my day today with the call. "Is this Mr. Dennis Aubrey?" And now this wonderful quote from Kazantzakis. There was a day when I wanted nothing more to be a force of nature like Zorba, to live life like that. Now, my pleasures are conversations with my friends and family, and learning more about this amazing world around us.

 

Thank you all again, not only for your kind words on this simple photograph, but for the support you have given me during my entire time here at Photo Net.

Full of the colors with fantastic control on exposure, and smooth contrast & details, feel so rich, gorgeous capture, Dennis, love it!!! Best regards

Yes, great seen in larger format. Beautiful image and, to me, technically perfect! Tones are spectacular.

Dennis, this is wonderful ! The rose is rendered perfectly, the smooth tone gradations are very enjoyable. Nothing seems to be lost (in the large version) from the beauty you had in front of your camera. Simple but effective. (Not simple technically, I estimate). Best wishes. Peter