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+--- Thread: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 (/showthread.php?tid=574)
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Dave - 04-19-2023
Good day, everyone (all 4 or 5 of us).
Our heavier than usual spring rains made it an exceptionally fine year for the California poppies. I've been taking as many photos as possible of the poppies in the front yard before the show is over.
Here's one taken yesterday; I'm not sure if it will appear overly saturated but I'll make my guess as to which of the versions is best...
RE: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Luv2shoot - 04-19-2023
Oh wow, and what a show.
This belongs on a wall, Dave. There is so much good stuff going on here.
The rich orange flower contrasted by the deep green wavy (diagonal) stem begins the long list of things I like about this image.
The soft background is great but I am so glad you left in the cluster of textured greens at the lower right and the big leaf in the upper left-hand corner.
There is one thing that I would adjust though. I like the leaf in the upper left corner with the orange trim but think you should "burn" (darken) that leaft and its bright orange edges as it approaches the edge of the frame on the left. That line takes leads the viewer's eyes off the page. Just cover that line with your hand and see what I mean. Darken it so that it looks like it is fading away. Just my suggestion. By the way, the spot lighting is also amazing.
Tomorrow night is the local club meeting. One of the challenges is CC, color creative. We put as much pop, color, accents, and manipulations, as possible into an image. We are asked to show the before and after. Here is one that I did several months ago and have been saving it for this challenge. The original was a window display in a store in Detroit's Fisher Building downtown.
The Girl In The Red Dress
RE: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Dave - 04-19-2023
Thank you so much for your C&C, Lorell. I got lucky with this one - right place at the right time.
1) I'm pleased that you noted the inclusion of the cluster at lower right. I wavered about including it but had a vague sense that it added a bit to the image by avoiding a dark and blank area.
2) About the leaf at top left: I intentionally left it with the strong edge because I felt that served as a good leading line. But only a fool would disregard your advice on anything related to photography, so I'm reconsidering.
Your base photo for the local club's challenge is pretty cool. Your crop and the treatment are even better. Faultless composition as always, an ideal mix of soft vs sharp, and colors that range from deep and rich to bright and glowing. Great detail where it needs to be is emphasized by other areas that are left to the viewer's imagination. Masterful.
RE: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Luv2shoot - 04-19-2023
Wow, thanks, Dave. I used some filters in Topaz to create a heavy blur. Then I layered two layers and brought out the details . I wish I would have brought back more details of the two bird cages .
RE: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Rich - 04-20-2023
Dave, what a beautiful poppy. Wonderful presentation and I agree with Lorell about the bright edge on the leaf.
Lorell,
A fantastic transformation and good saturation.
I kind of agree about the detail of the bird cages but don't go overboard and make them take away from the interest of the lady. Might bring out the left one a little. The red dress should be the attention getter.
RE: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Dave - 04-21-2023
Thank you Rich.