Dandelion

[denise ippolito]

Fractalius(my soft-fix preset)and flash

[Mark Fuge]

Nice image and application, Denise.

Only comment I have is that your placing centered but not centered??? The slight amount of being off center was my first thought.

I would either balance it by slightly cropping the left, or bring it to the ROTs.

But we have been known to have different visions! :D Therefore, I will regress to ... your image ... your vision.

Nothing wrong the way it is, just my though on my first reation... ;)

[denise ippolito]

Mark, It is full frame and I could easily crop it-but I did choose not to. I like the very slight off center look for this. Thank you for your comments.:)

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Denise, I like the crop the texture and the very slight softness around the edges :)
Best,
Nicki

[Bob Miller]

Hi Denise....I have tried a few times to photograph dandelions and have never been happy with my efforts. I like this image very much and would be interested in your tech settings. Also, where can i get fractalius and is it easy to use...any tutorials?

[denise ippolito]

Bob, Thank you very much. You can get Fractalius with this link:
https://www.plimus.com/jsp/buynow.js...rer=birdsasart
I have posted two tutorials on my website: Just scroll down after clicking link
http://deniseippolito.smugmug.com/Ph...48558027_d4dDb

I was shooting with my flash and I was using my Macro lens. I was extremely close-filling up the frame and manually focusing. My aperature was f/22. I was shooting outside in natural light looking down on the Dandelion -my flash helped keep the wind from blurring my image. I used ETTL at +1/3 -be careful not to blow the highlights. Make sure that your ambient exposure is spot on. The fractalius (soft-fix) setting that I used is one of the tutorials on my site. It adds some softness to the image w/ just a hint of edging. Hope this helps. The Fractalius program doesn't work with Mac and works in 8-bit mode as a plug-in to photoshop. It costs $39.99, there are lots of different effects that can be achieved with this filter.
Here is a link to Artie's bulletin where you can see more of the different effects.
http://www.birdsasart.com/bn315.htm

[Susan Candelario]

Hi Denise,
Another good one! ;) I like your comp and your Fractalius application. You have chosen a subject which most would overlook and made a beautiful image.

[Cindy Cone]

Beautiful effects, Denise. I think the slightly off-center crop works for this one. I wouldn't the fullness and softness to be lost on either side.

[denise ippolito]

Susan and Cindy, I appreciate the feedback. Thanks:)

[Kerry Perkins]

Denise, ever since I took up photography 45 years ago I have wanted to take that picture! Seriously, it has been a goal forever and you got the look I've tried and never achieved. :) I think the composition is perfect (especially for full-frame) and would not want to see the center moved in the vertical plane. Such subtle fract work is the bomb...

[denise ippolito]

Kerry, Thank you so much. I appreciate it very much.

[Grace Scalzo]

True art, Denise. So delicious, soft, celestial, dreamy. I absolutely love this creation.

[denise ippolito]

Grace, Thank you. I appreciate your kind comments. It's one of my favorites.:)