Cardoon - The Thing

[Richard Unsworth]

Whilst out walking on the Portuguese Steppe I cam across this Cardoon.

I am really fond of the picture but I know you experts will come up with some ideas of how it can be improved = stylised, etc

Any suggestions welcome.

Its full frame vertical from the 7D btw

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Richard, is this in the artichoke family? It's a beautiful plant and I like your vertical composition. The two things that I would change (and they are minor) is to erase the one tan dead leaf that is touching the left edge (or add a little canvas on that side so it has just a little more room) and tone down the vertical tan stem in the upper background. Nicely done

[Richard Unsworth]

Hi Cheryl

I read that this is the naturally occuring form of Globe Artichoke!
Will follow up on the tan bits
Thanks

[Diane Miller]

Nice image, but I'm not sure what is OOTB about it. It would be a good candidate for some artistic filters, though.

[Richard Unsworth]

Hi Diane - I posted here because the encumbents here use filters and effects; so yes it would be good to run some artistic filters on it - so I was hoping for some suggestions.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I would try fractalius, poster edges, and add some textures. Just start experimenting with whatever you have in your arsenal!!!!

[Diane Miller]

I don't use filters much but do enjoy the occasional attempt. I usually look at Nik Color Efex or some of the Topaz offerings. You'll get a lot of suggestions here!

[Cheryl Slechta]

Richard, if you have PS5 or 6 you could try Pixel Bender (5) or Oil Paint (6). Or you might want to try FotoSketcher - a free stand alone plug-in that does a nice job. I'd love to see what you come up with

[Nancy Bell]

This image does have strong lines that would be nicely emphasized with filters, etc. Not knowing what you have makes it difficult to recommend something. The fun many of us have is playing with the various effects of filters. So take this back into PS and start to experiment. Can't wait to see what you discover!

[Christopher Miller]

Very nice details, Gary, so I would probably use a filter that will enhance those details. Some textures would look great on it too!

[Richard Unsworth]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions
I need to do some work :-)

[Richard Unsworth]

Hi

Here I used AHot Copper texture at 80% opacity, after using Topaz Detail, micro enhance.
First time to apply textures!

Let me know how it is please.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Richard, I think it looks great! Great choice of filters and texture.

[Richard Unsworth]

Thanks Cherl

hours of potential fun lol

[Diane Miller]

Very nice!! You could do 50 versions of this one.

I've learned not to frame too tight in the camera, to leave room for frame effects. I can always crop. I can add canvas too, but sometimes it's a lot of work.

[LinzRiverBalmer]

very nice, I love your original post.

for me personally I would leave the purple alone as its my favorite and natural.

I do like your texture just not sure on the color.

I meant to post the other day on this, sorry..... I think this one would lend well to minor or major fun with tone mapping or HDR effects.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I like what you have done, and yes it is hours of FUN!!!!!

[Richard Unsworth]

Thanks everyone

Now reposting with HDR2 applied in Topaz Detail, increased blacks in selective color and sharpened. This really strengthens lines and the original purple

[LinzRiverBalmer]

Awesome repost, extremely nice, love the lines and texture, and the color too

[Richard Unsworth]

Thanks Linz

[Nancy Bell]

I really like what the copper texture did to the bkgd in your 2nd posting. In your 3rd posting I feel it has become just a bit too dark overall. You can selectively darken/lighten individual parts of your image using masks. Keep playing...much more fun than Solitaire!

[Anita Bower]

I'm late to the discussion. Before I read the comments, I want to say that I like this flower. Your experiments as shown in versions 2 and 3 are big improvements, don't you think? I like both of them, but might go for one that is somewhere in between the 2. If I were you, I would clone out the light colored leaves that are catching the light on the left side of the flower. But, perhaps you don't feel confident about your cloning skills? Nice work. I hope you continue to play with your software and share your results.

[Richard Unsworth]

Thanks Nancy and Anita

I can clone fine so will look at that.

I can redo taking on board your comments which I appreciate.