Peony's Progress

This is the same bud as seen here:

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=7031478

Comments welcome.

They are so cute when they are young, but then the start to grow up. Let me know when she has blossomed into maturity.

No interest in this awkward, gangly stage, eh, Shawn? Can't say I blame you.

 

Nice!

Thanks, Joe! I do think it might be a bit stronger if the center were darker &/or a bit more contrasty--it's plenty sharp but kind of indistinct unless you really look hard. It makes me want to learn how to make that sort of adjustment.

This is a wonderful shot, Dave. I played with it a made a contrasty version (PhotoShop with NIK Software Color Efex Lighten/Darken Center filter - total expenditure over $800 and years of learning.) And the difference - in my mind, not worth the cost or effort. It could be that I just didn't do this contrast/lighting change effectively but I don't think so. This is a wonderful shot as is - no adjustments. Bravo!

Actually in the morning my version doesn't seem as bad as it did last night (tired eyes?) but yours gets at the issue I saw then--nice!

Very nice indeed!

 

PDE

Thanks for that observation, Pierre!

Very unique and beautiful. Bravo! And I have to tell you that I howled laughing at your banter with Jeff Long about the tablecloth in the little colorful restaurant in San Antonio. Thanks for a good laugh!

Thanks, Cristal! Jeff was such a good sport about that--it was as if I'd been taken over by some "Monk"-like obsessive who needed to smooth that corner of the table-cloth. I felt bad about raising that issue because he'd done such a fine job with the image.