White Hydrangea

[Hazel Grant]

Two photos patched together (the base of the bud vase was missing in the flower photo). Topaz Detail. Personally, I like the result, but it seems so ordinary right now. Any suggestions?

[Dennis Bishop]

Suggestions? I wouldn't change a thing. The transition from darker tones at the top to lighter ones at the bottom guides the eye very nicely, and the white of the hydrangea takes it back up for another look. The darkness of many of the leaves contrast well with the lightness in other areas and pulls the eye into the background giving it some depth. It's all very dramatic.

[stuart wanuck]

well done like the dark bg

[Wendy Kates]

I agree with the other comments: the dark bg, along with the sharp focus of the overall image, makes the flower and leaves pop. I don't have Topaz Detail: definitely worth checking out!

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Beautiful work Hazel. I wonder what brightening the hydrangea head a bit might look like. Did you shoot on a black BG?

[Hazel Grant]

Yes, a black background. Had to saturate that a bit in PS, though. I'll brighten the whites on the flower a bit and see what happens. thanks.

[Hazel Grant]

hadn't noticed that there does seem to be a shadowy area in the center, so I used a low opacity dodge tool on the center areas of the flower to brighten that a bit. better?

[Arthur Morris]

Does not look ordinary to me--quite dramatic in fact. The folded back leaf lower left bugs me.... a

[Nancy Bell]

I really like the slightly brighter version. The light reflections on the glass vase balance the whites of the hydrangea very well. A very nice composition with the leaves totally framing the flower, above and all around, pointing outward like a star burst.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I like the repost Hazel, nice subtle changes.

[gary ellwein]

A lovely strong image.

[Anita Bower]

I like how the leaves surround and frame and seem to hold the delicate flower. The second version is my preference, with the flower a bit brighter. The vase is stunning and the black bg sets everything off beautifully. My only wish is for something to ground the vase, something for it to sit on, but this is a minor point. My first thought when seeing the image was "Wow!" Lovely lighting. How did you do it?

[Hazel Grant]

Thanks everyone. I did wonder, Anita, about the grounding but thought maybe it could be sort of minimalist, alone by itself. That's one of the things I wondered if I'd get comments about. Technique is a lot like yours....cover a chair with black fabric and shoot. If needed, darken the black. sometimes the fabric reflects light and that's not good. Used natural light from a french door.

[Paul Lagasi]

What more can I add, except like it the first time I saw it. Well done

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hazel, I'm so late to comment and it has all been said above but this is a very lovely image. I especially like the repost with the slightly white hydrangea. Nice work

[Diane Miller]

Gorgeous, with the light on the leaves taking it over the top!