Field of Greens

[Cheryl Slechta]

This was supposed to be for last week's yellow theme but I somehow "lost" all of my 2010 images and have spent the week restoring them (and tearing my hair out). But better late than never. This was in one of the marshy spots on Paynes Prairie Preserve when the wildflowers were blooming. I used Topaz Simplify on 2 images - one watercolor and then I layered a dup Painting Colorful on top and blended with soft light. I also did selective sharpening on the bottom grasses and a slight Nik Tonal Contrast.
Thanks for looking. Comments and suggestions appreciated

[Brendan Dozier]

Very nice composition, Cheryl, and really like the impressionistic, oil painting look to this. Love the vibrant color, and soft highlights on the wildflowers. Like the long grass in the FG, intersted in seeing what a little more of that would look like in the frame if possible. Nicely done!

[Hilary Hann]

Agree with Brendan, a very nice impressionistic feel to this which works very well.

[Dave Woeller]

Love those bold colors. For me the little highlights on the flowers really makes this image jump.

[Julie Kenward]

I think one of the highest compliments you can give a photographer is that they manage to see something in the middle of nothing - and that's exactly what you've done here, Cheryl. Nine out of ten people would have walked right by this but you stopped and took the photo - and it's absolutely beautiful. The processing took it from an average field of flowers to interesting degrees of texture and tonal range. My only thought to make this any better than it already is would be to maybe plop a tiny bunny in a ROT's position somewhere buried in all that grass as a surprise to the viewer who spends enough time looking through all the different levels here. Even without it the image sings. Nice work!

[Jay Sheinfield]

Julie took the words out of my mouth. This has to be one of my all time fav's of yours. Something beautiful from something ordinary. Your interpretation is lovely. I could stare at this for hours............
My hat's off to you....................

[Indranil Sircar]

Beautiful composition, Cheryl. We are all glad you posted it... Julie summed it up pretty well. Love those patches of green and yellow. Excellent processing.

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Cheryl,

Greetings. This is beautiful. I like the painterly look and it would have been perfect for last week's theme. One thought along an impressionist direction would be to drop some of the sharpness of the grasses in the foreground right corner (maybe a slight watercolor layer blend?). Just a thought, the OP looks good as is.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[denise ippolito]

Cheryl, I really like the painterly look to this one. The layers, texture and colors all come together nicely. Great job!

[Cheryl Slechta]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I really appreciate it