Sure enough . . .

The series of shots that ultimately became this image were taken at Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, Florida. In the time we were there, I took many shots. Turning any of the others into an image would've been much more straightforward than this one. There were two of these plants (bromeliads???) overlapping, and I only wanted one. Then, there was the background . . . Oh, my goodness! It was easy enough to decide to get rid of the extra plant and the rest of the background, but I couldn't decide with what to replace them. I relentlessly tried and, then, abandoned one idea after the other over a period of days. Meanwhile, I'd just started reading The Vein of Gold: A Journey to Your Creative Heart by Julia Cameron. The author very persuasively instructs the reader to do some things for the sake of creativity. One of them is walking. What she said made sense, but I didn't expect results so quickly. I wasn't even consciously thinking about the image when less than a quarter mile into the first walk after reading the chapter, I rejected a fresh idea about what to do with the background. A few steps later, I came up -- in general terms -- with what I ultimately tried to do. I'm not excited about it, but it's way better than whichever previous attempt would be in second place. I highly recommend the book, by the way.


Attachment 151700


iPhone 5s, PureShot camera app, ISO 125, three-exposure HDR at 2 EV intervals

This is where I'd normally list the processing highlights. Given the number of changes made along the way, though, I'm not sure how relevant some of the steps were. In addition to my normal Topaz Simplify, Alien Skin Snap Art, and Fractalius layers, I used Alien Skin Exposure on several layers, a Belle Fleur and a Photomorphis texture, Digital Film Tools Rays, and Red Giant Knoll Light Factory. There are several layers with the flower. The main, in your face, one was reshaped in both dimensions and moved a bit. Behind it is another version of it before reshaping. That one was enlarged, rotated, and applied at reduced opacity.

Hi, Dennis, the walk paid off! I love this image - your processing (stellar), the textures, the one bromeliad as the focal point, the colors - really everything. I think this would look nice as a square format also:S3:

Very beautiful Dennis, I love the colours, the comp, and the BG is stellar. Curious at to the outlines of the graphics, can't identify them. I never would have guessed it started as an Iphone shot.

The colors and the bkgd are awesome! I would love to have a sweeping dress of these colors and patterns! Very effective having the lines of the main bromeliad echo in the bkgd, the diagonal is emphasized as well as taking your eye outwards with an impression of expansion. When I worked, I would swim every day at noon and usually return with solutions to whatever work problems I had. Co-workers frequently would tell me to go swim and then talk to them afterwards! Totally support the idea you describe. Now I walk or bike.

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Originally Posted by Jackie Schuknecht

. . . Curious at to the outlines of the graphics, can't identify them. I never would have guessed it started as an Iphone shot.

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Thanks for your comments, Jackie. Not being sure what you mean by the outlines of the graphics, I'm going to make two stabs at it. If neither is about the right thing, let me know, and I'll try again.

There are lots of little magenta lines in the background. When I start processing an image, I start with a base layer which usually has had little or no modifications. Then, I do the Topaz Simplify watercolor and Alien Skin Snap Art watercolor wash presets, both of which pretty much hide a lot of the detail. Going back to the base layer, I do the edges preset in Simplify to restore the edges with black (and sometimes some white). Also using the base layer, I do lines with Alien Skin Snap Art. They're usually black, too. This time, though, I made them magenta. The base layer had the original background, which was very busy, so there were lots of little magenta lines. I through a lot of the earlier layers away as I tried different things, but I decided to keep those lines.

There are dark reddish-brown lines around the main plant. After applying the border to the edges of the frame with Alien Skin Exposure, I decided to put the same thing around the plant. Already having the selection for the plant, I inverted it and painted around the marching ants taking care not to do it precisely.

I never thought I'd be doing so much photography with a smartphone. The auxiliary lenses and camera app make a huge difference. I'd rather be using my real camera because of the aperture control and the high ISO capability it has, but my iPhone is sure easier to carry around.

Thanks Dennis, I am referring to the base layer from your description!

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Originally Posted by Jackie Schuknecht

Thanks Dennis, I am referring to the base layer from your description!

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I'm not sure if this is what you're asking about, Jackie, but this is the base layer. It's a combination of HDR merging in Nik HDR Efex (mostly just to get a good histogram) and whatever I did in the Photoshop Camera Raw Filter, which is usually some edge sharpening and changes in one direction or the other to probably many of the Saturation and Luminance sliders.



Attachment 151757


If this wasn't it, let me know.

Whatever you did, it's just wonderful! What a transition from the starting image! Just seeing the possibilities is an art.

I love how the flower fades and blends into the background, lovely vision on this one Dennis, well done

First: Thank you for your story and the title of Cameron's book. I'm checking it out of the library.
Second, I like this different look from you. I especially like the larger plant used in the bg. Very effective! It works quite well here. The colors are lovely and deep. You did a great job eliminating the distracting bg.
I agree with the suggestion that this might look good in a square format. That might eliminate my sense that the bromeliad is floating in mid-air, but, maybe that is the feeling you wanted.
Your iPhone is serving you well.

Just read the comments from others and you....can't add anymore except to say well done and keep on walking!