Himalayan Blue Poppy Bud

[Anita Bower]

The display of these Blue Poppies in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory this year is spectacular. They line a whole wall.

Learning to use my 180mm macro. Processed in Elements 10: I combined two photos, one with a blurred background and one with more detail in the bud. Viveza, Nik Darken/Lighten Center, selective lightening, sponge saturate, texture by Joel Olives.

Thank you for viewing and critiquing.

[Dennis Bishop]

The composition is great, and I really like the look you achieved in processing. The emerging bloom (a wonderful blue . . .) gives a feeling of anticipation and an expectation of things to come. Because of that, it might make an image like this even more compelling than one with a full flower.

I popped the image into Photoshop and fully blurred the leaf. It looks better to me that way for two reasons -- both related to distraction. It's there without competing visually with the bud. More important, I think, the parts of the leaf that were in focus and not seemed contrary to what I'd expect and that was a cognitive distraction. I very much like the image, however.

[Anita Bower]

I popped the image into Photoshop and fully blurred the leaf. It looks better to me that way for two reasons -- both related to distraction. It's there without competing visually with the bud. More important, I think, the parts of the leaf that were in focus and not seemed contrary to what I'd expect and that was a cognitive distraction. I very much like the image, however.

Thanks, Dennis. This is exactly one of the benefits of posting here on OOTB--others notice obvious things that I, as the creator, overlook from having looked at the image so long. I see what you mean and will try your suggestion.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Anita, I think Dennis has a good suggestion that might make a beautiful image even more wonderful I've never seen one of these blooms - they must be gorgeous in person.

[Nancy Bell]

Anita, this is your forte: combining flowers and textures for a beautiful and inspiring image! The blues & greens are spectacular. Those tiny hairs add great interest. And the textured bkgd around the bloom highlights it very well. I see the point that Dennis makes about the leaf and agree it might add more emphasis to the main bloom if it were blurred some.

[Steve Adkins]

Amazing and beautiful detail and color! Agree with comments given that a slight blur of leaf will make image stronger. Overall, the work is masterful and really shows off your style and artistry with blooms.

[Mark Fuge]

Very nice image and application, Anita.

Nice lighting on the bud and nice background effect.

[Anita Bower]

Thank you all for your encouraging comments. :-)