wild thistle flower

[Nancy Bell]

I tried experimenting with blend modes, something I haven't used much. I used the multiply blend mode on one layer, fractalius on a layer and combined them with lowered opacity. Pixel bender on just the white flower interior. Curves and 14% red filter.

I already added some to the stem. Does it need more? Also I can't decide about the crop. I've shaved some off the top and sides and still not sure.

I've been working on re-creating my website. It is all new and please check it out when you have a chance. www.bellbird.us

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Nancy, I like fractalius on this one. I would eliminate the horizontal white line in between two of the top petals. I think I like the crop as it is although I could see cropping a little more off of the top. I'll check out your new website

[Dave Woeller]

I like the processing on this a bunch. I agree with Cheryl on evicting the small white line. I'm a bit undecided on the crop part. if you take a touch more off the top it might make the thistle seem a bit more comfortable in the frame. Adding a touch more to the bottom might achieve the same result. The easier move might be the crop from top solution. I'm still undecided after typing all that.

[Anita Bower]

Very nice job in processing. The thistle looks magnificent--prickly but soft! I like the muted tones and the grey with a hint of red bg--very nice. Ditto above about the white line. There is a lighter color petal turning inward at about 2 o'clock--I'd clone it to the color of the other petals. Re. crop--I like tight crops, so I would crop it top and left side, leaving equal space top and left, with more space on the right. This is one of the loveliest Thistle images I've seen.

[Nancy Bell]

Thank you all, and especially for the advice on cropping. I think I'll take some off the top and maybe a bit more on the left. Also the white line will go and the 2 o'clock petal fixed.

[Indranil Sircar]

Hi Nancy, the thistle looks good... its like staring at me. I like the effect here - it gives the 3D feel to it with your processing and layers it has created. I am okay with the crop although I would not mind a bit off the top. I did look at your website... you have some fantastic images but my favorite were the hummingbirds!

[Paul Lagasi]

A nice macro image, like the processing and effects, I find it needs something...maybe cropping another way or different lighting...Its just a thought.

[Nancy Bell]

Thanks Indranil and Paul. Paul, as I mentioned I just could not find the right crop for this image so I felt it needed something also. But I did like how the thistle head turned out.

[Anita Bower]

Thanks Indranil and Paul. Paul, as I mentioned I just could not find the right crop for this image so I felt it needed something also. But I did like how the thistle head turned out.

I really like this thistle image, so I played around with it. I added a free texture Coffee Shop Painting Texture 2 , cropped and slightly increased contrast/brightness. Just giving you some ideas.

[Nancy Bell]

That's pretty cool, Anita. The texture and close cropping really turned out nice. Thanks so much for the ideas on an image that had me stumped!