Three Dogwood Flowers
My question is whether the flower on the far right is distracting and should be eliminated.
I combined 2 images of the same flowers, one taken with a wider aperture, hence, a bit more blur on back flowers.
3 textures. Gaussian blur.
I notice a lessening of saturation when I convert from RGB to sRGB.
Were it mine, I'd keep the flower on the far right for several reasons. Albeit more subtle between the other two, there's a progression in less focus from left to right, anyway, and the difference in focus is effective in the image. I like that the lower stem isn't in focus. Another benefit of the flower on the right is that the leaf color adds something to the image, and that flower gives it a reason for being. And, it makes for three instead of two.
I like the texture for both its variability and the border.
Dennis: I love reading what you (and others) see in my photos. I purposefully made the progression of less focus--glad you see that.I hadn't thought of the strength of uneven numbers, but that is a good point.
Hi Anita, very lovely image. Dennis has a very good point on the strength in odd numbers, but I feel the direction that the flower on the right is facing and what seems to be like a clipped petal makes that flower rather distracting to me. On the other hand, I could imagine this image without that flower and I don't find it even less attractive. Have you considered adding a third in the same direction of the other two? I agree that the progression of focus is a strong point in this image. I would also like ever more slightly relaxed crop. That BG is beautiful and I think this is a just a little bit tight. I think you have a lot of great things going in this image. Very well done! :)
Thanks for your thoughts, Adhika. I know what you mean about the clipped flower on the right. I was experimenting. I tend to crop my images rather tightly.Originally Posted by Adhika Lie
Anita, I like the composition and I like the flower on the right. There are some lines in the texture that bothered me - I've posted your image with them marked. I also cropped from the right - there is something about the oof flower transitioning into the framing that bothers me. Another option would be to darken that edge outside of the framing a little bit to correspond to the left edge - in fact that may be a better option. (Or if it's not your vision not an option at all
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly" - The Little Prince
http://tuscawillaphotographycherylslechta.zenfolio.com/
Anita, like Dennis, I really like the progression of sharp to soft focus so I would vote for keeping the flower on the right. But, in contrast to others, I'm finding the framing (ie., the border) a bit distracting. Overall, though, I really like the image as is: I like the way the texture complements but does not compete with the delicacy of the flowers, and I like the mood of spring that the image evokes.
I appreciate everyone's very helpful comments. Here is a new version incorporating suggestions.
I liked the original, but this is even better. The white vignette is a great enhancement with the white of the blossoms.
Thanks!
Anita, this is perfect
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly" - The Little Prince
http://tuscawillaphotographycherylslechta.zenfolio.com/
Thanks!
I'm slow to the plate here. The repost addresses my thoughts on the OP. I would like to just shift all the flowers a bit to the left for a more even border all around. Or maybe just a bit darker around the faded flower to keep your eyes from fading off the image. Really love the soft & delicate look of this.
Thanks for your thoughts. I know what you mean by the eye sliding off to the right.
I loved the original but as said, I think this is even better! Because it is so subliminal, I don't mind the outward-facing flower or its being lighter at the edge, but I probably would have tried bringing out a little more detail in the left one, to balance it.
A treat to view!
Anita, I really like your repost!
The coarse bg texture in the original provides contrast for the delicate flowers. There is subtle darkening of the bg as it abuts the pale smooth border. My eye is drawn to the periphery of the bg in the original image. The white vignette totally eliminates this area and significantly softens the image. I love the redo.
Thank you Diane, Wendy and Gary!!
Posting Permissions
