Roses and Irises

[Wendy Kates]

A friend of mine arranged irises from my garden with some long stemmed roses (from the grocery store), and I photographed them. I then applied one of the Degas filters in Topaz Impressions, which produced a textured look (although I think you need to view it at 100% to see the texture). Not too OOTB, but pretty nonetheless! Oh, and if you are wondering how I produced the black background, I hung a velvet dress that I had worn to my nephew's wedding on the wall, and taped the skirt of the dress to the wall with masking tape! Anything for a good photo!

[Dennis Bishop]

This has wonderful color harmony. I like the background, too -- not only what it contributes to the image but how you did it. The black works with the shadows in the arrangement, and the hint of color gives it some interest that wouldn't be there with solid black. The application of Impression is subtle, yes, but effective. (I wonder if the faint color I like in the background is due to Impression.)

I wish it weren't quite so tight on the sides, and I'd be inclined to put a light black gradient from the bottom to near the top of the vase so the viewer's eye isn't distracted or directed out of the image.

[Adhika Lie]

Very nice Wendy! I think you started out from a very nice image. The rose petals actually drew me in and make me look at this image for a long time. I think some macro shots on them would be a really nice one to have, too!

[Nancy Bell]

Wonderful profusion of deep colors and swirling lines on all those flowers packed into a very full bouquet! I like how the rose flowers each have internal swirls that draw you in, as Adhika notes. Your friend created a super lovely arrangement. I would like to see less of the vase, for the same reason Dennis suggests a dark gradient from the bottom. Love the multi-purposing of your velvet dress! I used a velvet jacket in the same manner for quite a while.

[Wendy Kates]

Thanks, all! I will try the gradient that Dennis suggested. Adhika, I agree about the macro shots. Unfortunately the roses are gone at this point...I'll just have to buy some more!

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Wendy, I agree with all of the comments above - I love the arrangement and your use of the black background, I think the gradient is a nice idea and I also would like to see a little more room on the sides