Good Monday Morning.
Since I am still up and was reviewing the orchid photos that I took at the Michigan Orchid Society Show yesterday, I figured I would start our Monday thread with this pretty one. I can see why there exists a club of orchid growers. How exciting it must be to see one of these bloom before your very eyes. The wait, anticipation, the appearance of the blooms, and then the opening and unveiling of a beautiful creation like this. It has to be a thrill to see it as it develops and emerges from nothing but a root, dirt, and water. Wow!
Have a great start to your week and remember the following.
It is the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary. (Paulo Coelho)
Here is an image that I am currently mulling over. I think I'll call it "Herold's Bay Dawn".
I used an image with a lot of aircraft trails to enhance the sky, but that may be a problem in that the trails could tend to take away from the tranquil atmosphere. I think I'll try cloning them out next, and see what happens.
Lorell,
42 years ago I met my wife at a dear friend's place. Our Anniversary is coming soon.
Point is that our friend is now an avid orchid grower. Nice markings on your image. Peter,
I think your image is quite fine as is. Yes the jet trails are there but they make the shot real. They take second place to the figure with the surf board. That placement my friend is what makes the image, IMHO.
Good morning, gents, and thanks for sharing your thoughts about the orchid.
Last night at midnight when I posted it, I thought the details and lighting made it look dramatic. This morning, I think it looks harsh and over-processed. I am on a different computer though and maybe that is a factor too. I think I may post an additional version with softer tones and reduced highlights now that I am looking at it with fresher eyes.
Peter, I would leave all those jet trails except for one major one that is almost touching the top of the land structure. It is the chubbiest light trail and on a diagonal slant. I find that one a tad distracting. Other than that, you created a Dynomite composition with great colors and mood. Good to see you.
Grant, Does your friend enter her orchids in shows and competitions? When I read 42 years, I thought wow, that is a long time. But we are right behind you. We will be married 40 years this November. Hard to believe!
Going to go review my orchid now and might return with a less "in your face version".
Lorell
Lovely orchid, Lorell. I'll check back to see what you did with it.
Peter, such a neat place and very much like a place we have near us. Sister villages for sure.
Hi, Grant.
Okay, I took it into TOPAZ and converted it to an OIL PAINTING CLASSIC.
But I also had another version that I originally was going to use. I is more of the original colors and lighting.
I would like to hear your reactions to both if you care to share.
"B" (oil painting) and "C" (more natural) below, with "A" being the first one that I posted.
Dave, that is dainty and well captured. I like the two different colors of the leaves in the background. One is sort of teal and the other a lime green. The focus is excellent.
Wow, really nice color on the orchid Lorell. And then Dave follows up with another nice, multi-colored bloom. Can't help you in the ID though Dave, but it is pretty!
Peter - very nice. I really like the pastel colors in the sky, and the way the surfer is kind of "spot lighted" to bring in the eye. Good contrast on the hillside with the lights on the houses and the shadows. I would be interested in seeing the image after you take out the contrails too, although I don't find them distracting at all.
It was a pretty nice morning so I decided to ride up to a covered bridge about 50 miles away to take some photos. The covered bridge seems to be in pretty good condition.
"A moment in time
Immortalized forever
With silver and light"
OH MY, nice capture, Don. Beautiful sky to make the composition complete. It must be warmer than in the 20s like it is over here. BRRRRR. It looks like young leaves are starting to sprout in the distance. Lucky you. Enjoy your spring.
