Magnolia crop

[Cheryl Slechta]

I think Magnolias are very hard to crop - there are too many curves and petals, etc. I used Fractalius Sketch on this one, then Topaz Simplify and finally Nik Skylight filter. I will be interested to hear opinions on the crop. I tried leaving more at the bottom and it looked funny. Actually all the crops I tried looked funny
Thanks for looking. Comments and suggestions appreciated.

[John Storjohann]

Cheryl, Magnolia...particularly the way this particular bloom is opening...remind me of a bit of Lotus. Long, wide, flowing petals, with a complex series of lines and curves from the center...it can be SO hard to crop and/or create a pleasing composition. I really like elements of this particular composition and I love the processing...you nailed the whites, the Sketch present gave definition to the petals, the color and tones at the center of the bloom are visually pleasing...to my eye, I wish you had extended the crop in the lower part of the frame...just a bit....and maybe left just a bit more room on the RHS, giving the petal at the edge a bit of breathing room. It's a tough call...and a complex flower to compose around. I hope to see more florals from you.

[denise ippolito]

Cheryl, I think it is a wonderful subject and composition. I like the flow of the petals. The only part that catches my eye is the LLC.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Denise, I think you're right - I think cropping more from the bottom to remove most of the dark spot might work since I've already cut off some of the "matchsticks".

Cheryl, I think it is a wonderful subject and composition. I like the flow of the petals. The only part that catches my eye is the LLC.

[Cheryl Slechta]

John, thanks for the comment. I'll go back and look at it again but I tried leaving more on the bottom and side and it just didn't look right to me. I'll look at it again.

Cheryl, Magnolia...particularly the way this particular bloom is opening...remind me of a bit of Lotus. Long, wide, flowing petals, with a complex series of lines and curves from the center...it can be SO hard to crop and/or create a pleasing composition. I really like elements of this particular composition and I love the processing...you nailed the whites, the Sketch present gave definition to the petals, the color and tones at the center of the bloom are visually pleasing...to my eye, I wish you had extended the crop in the lower part of the frame...just a bit....and maybe left just a bit more room on the RHS, giving the petal at the edge a bit of breathing room. It's a tough call...and a complex flower to compose around. I hope to see more florals from you.

[Maureen Allen]

This is gorgeous, Cheryl. I don't think you should crop at all. I might try to darken that little patch in the LLC, but other than that I love it.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Thanks, Maureen, this was from Kanapaha Gardens

This is gorgeous, Cheryl. I don't think you should crop at all. I might try to darken that little patch in the LLC, but other than that I love it.

[denise ippolito]

Cheryl, I wouldn't crop it. I might lighten it or extend the white area to follow the flow of the near petal- maybe?

[Bill Dix]

A lovely image, Cheryl. The crop looks very nice to me. I tried to imagine it without any of the lower "matchsticks", since to my eye they compete with the gorgeous sweep and soft light of the white petals. But it's very attractive just as posted.