Sweet Soft Light

[Julie Kenward]

This image was originally much deeper and brighter in tone. I wanted it to convey more of a dream world or watercolor feel so I used the clone tool to lighten certain areas and then used a screen blend mode to really bring up the overall colors and tones. I then masked the butterfly to give it back the deep, dark intense feel as an anchor for the image. I went with a square crop because no matter what rectangular size I went for, it felt like it either was pinched for space or had too much negative space to one side. I'm hoping this conveys an almost fluorescent feel to it. Did I succeed? What would you change about it? Anything?

[Gus Cobos]

I like it the way it is Julie...I would not change a thing...:) Beautiful composition, image and capture....well done...:):cool:

[Fabs Forns]

I like your idea, but I'd go back on the saturation. It must be my old-fashioned idea that dreams are not so colorful :)
Please humor me!

[denise ippolito]

Jules, I like it alot-I think you could have a pastel version as well, It would work either way

[John Ippolito]

Julie, I like the crop and the comp just fine. If anything I would also like to see a more pastel desaturated version as mentioned above, with the butterfly the bolder anchor as you mentioned. Nice!

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Jules,
I love this as presented but also think that a pastel version would perhaps have a more dream-like quality. Crop works very well for me.
Regards,
Nicki

[Alfred Forns]

Love it Jules Would only desat the yellow Like the overall feel btw not sure what you used for masking but lots can be done easily now in LR2 !!!

[Julie Kenward]

Alright, I desaturated the yellows and magentas a bit and then did an "accent edges". I added an ethereal glow but masked it off the butterfly and most of the flower. Is this softer/better?