This was taken last May, probably just after a rain. It wasn't until I started processing the set of shots that I decided to mask out the other blossoms and the branches.
Nikon D3s, ISO 2000, f/9, nine-exposure HDR at 1 EV increments, 105 mm macro lens
processing highlights
The background is a combination of three textures (in this order): Jai Johnson, PhotoFrame, and Joel Olives. OnOne stopped supporting PhotoFrame several versions of Photoshop ago to my dismay. Recently, I figured out which of the several types of files could be salvaged by changing the file name extension to tif. This is the first time I've used one of them. The Joel Olives textures was a pink one masked to the PhotoFrame frame.
I used all my normal plug-ins -- Topaz Simplify, Alien Skin Snap Art, and Fractalius -- as usual except for leaving out my saved Topaz Simplify watercolor preset. Instead, I lowered most of the detail using Topaz Detail. It worked out fine for this image but not for the one on which I'm currently working.
Your background gives this a doily look that I associate with days long past. Maybe you should use the Nov. theme of Vintage for this. I like the subtle color change on the frame & in the center and its connection to the flowers. It pulls this all together.
Dennis, for me, the background is the highlight of the image. I particularly like the border which incorporates the colors of the flowers. Aside from their pleasing subtle color, I am not keen on the flowers. I find them rather heavy and featureless. The white rim about the stems is distracting. I must add that my wife loves the image.
This looks rather different from your other images.
I agree with Gary's comments. Perhaps the frame would work better with the flowers inside it, rather than pushing out. The flowers seem to have lost their delicacy in the processing.
This image, however, is perfect for this forum where we are free to experiment. I hope you find a good use for the lovely frame.
Thanks for your comments. I decided to go back and rework it a bit based on what was said about the flowers. To the top of the layer stack, I placed a reduced-opacity copy of the flowers before any processing. Then, I lightened them with a Levels adjustment layer but masked the effect off the whites around the sepals (although they actually do have a white fringe) and off the brightest parts of the backlit raindrops.
Gary, I hope your wife still likes it. I like it better this way.
Anita, I couldn't make myself put the blossoms inside the frame. That way, they wouldn't be out of the box.
The second image is improved. Good point about needing flowers to be out of the box!!! I still think the flowers do not have enough detail to be so prominent, and I'm not fond of the black lines around them. Sorry. :-(
crabapple blossoms
