Tulip Macro

[Anita Bower]

Nikon D300, Sigma 105mm macro, f36 (Relative), .80 sec., ISO 400, indoors, natural light, tripod, manual focus and exposure. PP in PS7. Applied slight buzz and crisp edges in Topaz. Is that allowed in this forum?

I'm being inspired by the fabulous images being posted!!!

[denise ippolito]

Anita, I usually post Topaz stuff in OOTB. But that would be Jules' call for this forum. I like the softness and knowing that you used the filter I appreciate that softness more. Great lighting and colors.

[Ken Childs]

That diagonal sharp line is a little too centered for my tastes but it's still a lovely image. I really love the colors!

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Anita,
I'm a huge fan of bold colors....so this one definitely works for me. I'm ok with the line as it flows on the diagonal but I would consider blurring/smoothing the pale pink URC. Nicely done!

[Julie Kenward]

Anita, if you feel this still represents an accurate portrayal of what you saw when you photographed it then buzz away. If you think it pushes it beyond "normal" then it goes in OOTB. (At least I think that's what we all decided back in January!)

Awesome image. AWESOME. Something you might try just to see if you like it is a surface blur over the entire thing...just a few pixels and a small threshold - it can even out the texture of the flower and make the flow seem flawless if the lighting is right. ;)

[Christopher Miller]

Very, very nice, Anita. Beautiful abstract comp, and I absolutely love the colors! :)

[Anita Bower]

Anita, if you feel this still represents an accurate portrayal of what you saw when you photographed it then buzz away. If you think it pushes it beyond "normal" then it goes in OOTB. (At least I think that's what we all decided back in January!)

Awesome image. AWESOME. Something you might try just to see if you like it is a surface blur over the entire thing...just a few pixels and a small threshold - it can even out the texture of the flower and make the flow seem flawless if the lighting is right. ;)

My memory of what we came up with in our January discussion is the same as yours. Glad to have it confirmed. This image is very similar to the original, which is why I posted it here.

I tried surface blur, but it didn't seem to do much unless the settings were high. Instead I added a slight gaussian blur layer and eliminated it from parts. Is this more what you had in mind?

One of the reasons I participate in the macro forum is for these suggestions that help me try out new post processing techniques.

[Anita Bower]

Very, very nice, Anita. Beautiful abstract comp, and I absolutely love the colors! :)
Thanks! I love the colors, too.

[Anita Bower]

Hi Anita,
I'm a huge fan of bold colors....so this one definitely works for me. I'm ok with the line as it flows on the diagonal but I would consider blurring/smoothing the pale pink URC. Nicely done!
Thanks! Jules had a similar suggestion. Is my repost closer to what you had in mind?

[Anita Bower]

Thank you all for your comments!!!!

[Julie Kenward]

Yes, that really takes it to another abstract level, doesn't it? Not it's less about the flower and more about the play of colors. Excellent work, Anita, both times!

[Anita Bower]

Thanks, Jules.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Anita,
Works for me!

[Susan Candelario]

Hi Anita,
Lovely abstract, comp. and colors from the get go. The additional PP definitely took it to higher level!
~Susan

[Anita Bower]

Thank you for your comments, Susan and Roman.