RED ROSE-THEME

[gary ellwein]

It has been a while since I participated in OOTB. The past several weeks were devoted to helping our daughter after cervical spine surgery. The surgery was successful and she is nearly back to normal. Suburban Indianapolis in the dead of winter is not this photographers favorite spot. I did take my camera out when it was above zero and walking surfaces were devoid of solid black ice. One lesson learned on this trip, dog walking and photography are incompatible.

Now for the posted image. The rose was one of an over the hill bouquet. The bouquet was in a dark corner and the ambient light was Indiana winter gloom. I layered a sharp focus and an out of focus image and selectively brought out a small area of the sharp. A light Orton effect and a light vignette were applied. I also fried to fill in a defect in the right lower quad. If you say this reminds you of the Blob from the movie if the same name, I will not be offended. It is good to be back.

[Nancy Bell]

Glad to have you back, Gary! First, good to hear that such serious sounding surgery is having a good outcome for your daughter. I'm sure the time has been extremely stressful for your family.

Now to the image. I really like how the rose fills up the frame entirely with deep red color and luscious swirls of the petal edges. Very rich! There is an intriguing feeling of depth as the eye moves in with the petals as they tighten together in the center, which is well placed off-center! Your "blob" in the lower right balances well with the OOF area in the upper left, so no worries about that.

[Steve Adkins]

Hi Gary, Glad things are going well for your daughter. I smiled at the mental image of trying to walk the dog and take pics!
Your treatment of the rose is lovely. You applied an excellent blend and I wouldn't change a thing.

[Anita Bower]

Wonderful that your daughter's surgery and recuperation has been successful. Walking a dog and taking photos, especially on ice, sounds rather challenging.
I agree with Nancy's always detailed comments. The rose nicely fills the frame and is pleasingly positioned. A small crop off the right side would eliminate those black areas. I would like to see a bit more in focus, which you should be able to achieve since you blended two images--a clever approach. In particular, I'd like to see that strong, lighter/brighter red petal curving right of center of the flower in focus because it is such a dominant feature.
Nice to have you back.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I am glad your daughter's surgery was successful. The spine is always a very precarious thing to operate on. You must be happy to have it behind you.

The red is gorgeous, and looks wonderful on the screen. I do find my eye goes to that small black area in the URC, but overall a very lovely image for the theme. Nicely placed in the frame too.

[Paul Lagasi]

I am glad all is well with your daughter and I feel for you about winter, lovely close up of this rose, love the crop...well done

[gary ellwein]

Anita, your eagle eye spotted the less than satisfactory repair of a defect in the petal immediately to the right of center. If time allows I may take another crack at the repair. Thanks to all for the look and comment.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Gary, I'm sorry I'm so late to the show but I'm so glad that your daughter's surgery went well. Anita picked up on that one area that needs work so I won't mention it again I love the soft quality of the image and the reds are lovely.