Theme: Summer; ~Tiger lily

Took this tonight. A back-lit tiger lily, with some fill flash. Shot in program mode for the highlights. A very slight crop. Looked pretty summery to me. Put through a number of filters.
Comments Appreciated.

I love the flower and the back lit highlights, but the BG is distracting to me. I'd also make the frame thinner :)

Hi Jackie, I think you handled the backlighting very well and the placement of the flower. I agree with Fabs on the distracting backround.

I think the placement of the flower could be improved from a different angle. The base of the flower is just sitting there. I would suggest that a better composition would be to move to the right side of the flower and bring the base into the lower left area of the frame. While it would be nice to see the full flower, I think what you show is adequate, but the placement could be improved.

As for the BG I would try to do a full black. The green in the lower left does not fit the rest of the BG and the white areas distract from the image, in my view.

I would suggest you consider using some of the outline filters. The image seems to be between visions. It is soft, but not dreamy.

Attached is an example, using your image as posted, with the dry brush and poster edge filters together. I also narrowed the frame, per Fabs comment, which I agree with in this case. The poster edge alone also makes a nice image. Just an example. It's your image and your vision.

Sorry, :o I know it may sound harsh, but I do like the image. However, I think the composition could be improved to make it a lot better.

Thanks for the comments everyone. I re-worked with just a black BG and no frame.

Mark I liked your idea of Poster Edges, but not quite so much. It seemed to lose some of the beautiful light IMO.
I do know I like the black the best, but not sure which one of the reworks. It gives me lots of ideas when I go back in the field,
Mark thanks for taking the time to re-work. I always appreciated it when someone takes the time. I am not offended in any way, unless it ended up looking totally different from the orig.

Hi Jackie, IMO the repost is a definite improvement.The image really pops. I would take out that very small piece on the right side.

Hi Jackie, I love the color. The repost is great and the image really pops as Dave mentioned.

Jackie, your first repost is so very sweet, IMO the "edges" filter can destroy the softness,
but I noticed you went very mild with second repost....nice work IMO

Jackie, really nice repost - I like the subtle edge filter and the dark bg makes it really pop!

___________
Cheryl

Jackie,

No problem. I like both of your reposts. I like the edge lines as it helps define the flower, which wasn't there in the original. My repost was two filters and agree that might be too much. Just offered as a suggestion and no problem with your decision. Nice image that looks better in either of the reposts.

I do very much like your idea Jackie. Your second repost is perfect for me and as Dave said, remove the smidgen in the right that just intrudes from the void. :)

Last one I promise! Studied the refine edge tutorial in ER and made a better selection. Tried to make the BG a little more natural, and finally an Orton. Took the little piece of flower on RHS. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Very nice image.