"These are for you Daddy"

This comment refers to a previous version that was posted: I love the idea and think your execution is just about there. Very strong linear composition giving this shot added energy and dimension. It seems to me you're trying to have the texture of the flowers blend into the textures of the rough and decaying wood. Nice idea. I still think, maybe, the flowers could stand out more, have more presence, and still accomplish what you're after. I'd like to feel the roughness of the wood complementing the texture of the flowers. Right now, I feel them competing a bit.

You hit the nail right on the head Fred, I've been trying to get the dandelions to "pop", I'm still messing with it more but just can't seem to get the right look without sacrificing the texture too much. This was taken outside but underneath a large arbor which really softened the light.........hmmmmmmmm, I'll just keep at it, thanks.

This comment refers to a 2nd version that had been posted: I think it's an image with a lot of potential.

My opinion . . . it was a bit too severe to begin with and your new version is that much more severe.

I think the geometry, and the rough wood has a natural severity that doesn't necessarily need to be enhanced so intensely and the delicacy of the flowers can still relate to the texture of the wood.

I like your idea of toning the wood (in the new version) but I'm a little too conscious of magenta and there's an unevenness of the color tone. For toning, have you tried the "colorize" feature in Photoshop? Make sure you get rid of any stray color info by first converting to grayscale, then back to RGB, then use your hue/saturation menu and check the colorize box, usually about a 5 or 6 percent tone is good and I keep the slider bar in the range of 0 to 60 for a good variety of tonal choices, about 20-25 starts to give a sepia feel.

Think sensually here, and consider a lighter touch. Note how blocked up the shadows of the flowers are. We should feel those shadows having some density and substance, a little translucence. Even the cracks between the boards, my guess is that in the original, they weren't so solidly and graphically black.

Or, for a very opposite feel, which I think would work swell here (!), go for that Japanese look. The high contrast look, but it's got to be nuanced, not just done with quick levels or contrast adjustment. Go for very strong highlights and offset that with really dark, but dense, areas (not blacks, just real dark). Check out Hosoe and other Japanese photographers. This subject matter would lend itself beautifully to that kind of treatment.

I like the second version much better. Great work! Take care

Thanks Cynthia, I do to! Thanks!

Referring to the final version: I agree that this latest version works. Certainly the flowers pop more, it has more focused and dramatic lighting, and would likely catch more people's eyes. I can see why it would be considered an improvement over the original.

That being said, I actually think the original, with more fine tuning and nuance, is the potentially stronger and more rich photo. My original take on the photo was that the play of textures was the unique aspect of this. Of course, a lot of this depends on what you, Tim, were going for here. What you've accomplished is to make this photo more of a flower photo, a little more traditional. But what was once an energetic and sensuous background has been deadened quite a bit. To me, the potential here is something a bit more rich and unique. You've faded back the wood decay to where it really just serves as a backdrop rather than relating keenly to the flowers and being more an integral part of the image. I no longer feel that sense of touch that I did in the original although the visual sense of the photo has improved.

This might be one to be content with for now (since you did obviously get it more to your liking) and come back to at a later date, seeing if you want to get something a little bit different out of it.

I sat at a park table while my children played, one of my sons picked

these and happily placed them on the table before me........I've tried

several approaches to this image, so comments, suggestions, etc are

appreciated. Thanks

This is a great idea, maximum emotional pull from minimal subject matter, the holy grail for me! Personally I don't think the flowers need to 'Pop', the rest of the series has a wonderfully subdued feel which makes the images very different from the usual type of flower picture.

 

Simon

I didn't get to see the other photos to compare. I think this has the drama of stage-lighting with two brilliantly lit and glowing stars, two crisp shadows, and enough ambient light to add atmosphere to the "stage." Nicely done.

Very good capture,congrat

Simon, Jeff........a much overdue thank you to both of you

 

S Tamson.....thanks, I'll come visit your port soon!

Beautifully done - nice created atmosphere:)

Clean, simple and very very beautiful.... Fantastic composition and I think the light is just right for this shot.... Great work....

 

All my best, Jill

I really appreciate that you took the time, have a great day!