Himalayan Blue Poppy Bud

The display of these Blue Poppies in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory this year is spectacular. They line a whole wall.

Learning to use my 180mm macro. Processed in Elements 10: I combined two photos, one with a blurred background and one with more detail in the bud. Viveza, Nik Darken/Lighten Center, selective lightening, sponge saturate, texture by Joel Olives.

Thank you for viewing and critiquing.

The composition is great, and I really like the look you achieved in processing. The emerging bloom (a wonderful blue . . .) gives a feeling of anticipation and an expectation of things to come. Because of that, it might make an image like this even more compelling than one with a full flower.

I popped the image into Photoshop and fully blurred the leaf. It looks better to me that way for two reasons -- both related to distraction. It's there without competing visually with the bud. More important, I think, the parts of the leaf that were in focus and not seemed contrary to what I'd expect and that was a cognitive distraction. I very much like the image, however.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dennis Bishop

I popped the image into Photoshop and fully blurred the leaf. It looks better to me that way for two reasons -- both related to distraction. It's there without competing visually with the bud. More important, I think, the parts of the leaf that were in focus and not seemed contrary to what I'd expect and that was a cognitive distraction. I very much like the image, however.

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Thanks, Dennis. This is exactly one of the benefits of posting here on OOTB--others notice obvious things that I, as the creator, overlook from having looked at the image so long. I see what you mean and will try your suggestion.

Anita, I think Dennis has a good suggestion that might make a beautiful image even more wonderful:S3: I've never seen one of these blooms - they must be gorgeous in person.

Anita, this is your forte: combining flowers and textures for a beautiful and inspiring image! The blues & greens are spectacular. Those tiny hairs add great interest. And the textured bkgd around the bloom highlights it very well. I see the point that Dennis makes about the leaf and agree it might add more emphasis to the main bloom if it were blurred some.

Amazing and beautiful detail and color! Agree with comments given that a slight blur of leaf will make image stronger. Overall, the work is masterful and really shows off your style and artistry with blooms.

Very nice image and application, Anita.

Nice lighting on the bud and nice background effect.

Thank you all for your encouraging comments. :-)