Contest: Dahlia

[denise ippolito]

I took this at Longwood Gardens it was a Pink Dahlia. I used a flash for the original and it created a black BG. I thought it would be nice ot do a duo-tone w/ a hint of green. I would have preferred a very close crop w/o the BG inc. and the center of the flower in the ULC more-but this crop shows the duo-tone better.

[Christopher Miller]

Denise, I like the details in the flower and the color tone you chose is very nice. I think it would be even better if the bottom part of the flower was lighter, but that's just my opinion.

[Desmond Chan]

I think it would be better if the light was softened and the light source bigger, probably that requires the use of something like a soft light box. Guess it's just my personal taste though. Composition is fine with me.

[Connie Mier]

Fantastic detail and a great choice of subjects. At first I agreed with the comments above about the lighting but after looking at the petals in more detail, I enjoyed the lighting effect moreso.

[Julie Kenward]

I agree with Connie - I bet the image on your computer is beautifully detailed with little varying shades of the green/white combo because you can see the detail here after the jpeg compression. I think you did a beautiful job! I also agree that the bottom area being lighter might be nice - you could try to selected in and do a levels adjustment on it alone - but I do really like the original!

[Ed Vatza]

I dunno, Denise. Guess I'm the contrarian here. I like the shading moving from top to bottom. It adds a feeling of depth. And there is something about the perspective that intrigues me. My first impression was that it looks all wrong and yet the more I look at it the more it just feels right! Nice work.

[denise ippolito]

Thankyou all for taking the time to comment- I appreciate it.

[Mike Moats]

Hey Denise, love the lighting and details, the treatment used looks great. Well done.

[Anita Bower]

Nice details on all those little petals. I wonder what it looks like in color.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Denise,
I'm with Ed, I think the lighting is pretty cool and I like the way it goes from light to dark. Almost looks like a glowing pencil sketch. I agree with a crop off the bottom......maybe 1/2 the upper horizontal leaf?....just makes the flower stand out even more! Nicely done!

[Julie Kenward]

This was so close! I had at least three others that I had to look at over and over again but you won me in the end, Denise! I'M VOTING THAT THIS IS MY WINNER!

[denise ippolito]

Julie, Thankyou so much. I feel so honored.

[Michael Zajac]

I really like this. Nicely done w/ lots of detail. I vote this the winner.

[denise ippolito]

Michael, I appreciate you taking the time to look.