LAB colour fun

I've been really enjoying Dan Margulis' book Photoshop LAB Color and now routinely make colour correction, saturation and contrast adjustments in LAB. Tonight I started to play with this image and experimented with running Auto Levels on the A and B channels. This is the result. Hope you like it! The subject is a dried Umbelliferae (carrot family) flower head. Comments most welcome!

Date: 21 February, 2009, Time: 13:10h
Model: Canon EOS 5D
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM @ 100 mm
Program: Aperture Priority
ISO 200, 1/125s, f/11
Exp. comp.: +0.7
Flash: off, Flash exp. comp.:

John, I love the colors and the image is fun and playful looking. Very creative and way to think OOTB. If it were mine I might try to blend the one blue patch UR only because it draws my eye.

Love the colours and sci-fi look of this image. I know nothing about the LAB you talk about so will have to investigate further. I would be very interested to see a portion of the original file to see what the LAB adjustments were able to achieve, but that might not be the purpose of these forums.

It reminds me of something and I've just realised what it is … some underwater photography gets that similar colour and contrast feel to it. Really like it, thanks.

Thanks Hilary and Denise. Here's the original, unprocessed version (just a crop and sharpen).

My goodness, what a difference. Makes me appreciate the OP even more. Thanks John.

Nice image and application, John.

Like the color saturation.

I might have added some canvas on the right border and the bottom to get it a little more off center. But ...

Your image ... your vision.

I've always meant to read his book(s) on LAB...you say they are pretty good? I saw some of his classes on the Scott Kelby Online Training website - that's what first peaked my curiosity.

I like the image you've presented but agree that the URC could use a bit of a tone down.

Great use of LAB color John! I have that book and found it to be very useful, especially for images that need a little help in the color department. I recommend it for all photographers. I think the comp is fine, as the center of the flower head is offset to the left.