Blackened Rose

[Jason Hurst]

I'm not sure if this would qualify for this forum, and if not, I apologize. I'm new to the whole DSLR scene after 30+ years of shooting with film. I've had a chance over the past year or so to take a few "test drives" with various Canon 1D/1Ds bodies, and this image is the result of some experimentation with Photoshop CS4 on a photo of a rose I took while test driving a Canon EOS 1D Mk III.

I basically just played around with levels and curves until it created an effect I rather liked.

[denise ippolito]

Jason, Big welcome to OOTB. I think your image fits the weekly theme perfectly so I added the prefix to your title. Nice looking color combo and you did a good job playing with the controls. I might take a slice off the bottom and left just to tighten up the comp. a bit if it were mine. I think that if you revealed a bit more of the rose it might look nice also. I look forward to seeing more of your creativity!

[Jason Hurst]

Thanks Denise, much appreciated. Thanks also for adding the prefix. I took your advice, and cropped a portion off of the left hand side, and bottom, and will post the resulting photo in a couple of days when I am allowed to post again.

I also tried to reveal a bit more of the rose, but it left the image with too many unwanted artifacts (blue, pink neon like blotches), which I found rather difficult to remove, so I just left the "rose" alone.

It was actually fun experimenting in PS, and look forward to trying some more things on occasion in the future.

[Maureen Allen]

Hi Jason. Nice first post to the forum! Very dramatic presentation of the rose. I agree that a tighter comp might enhance your image. Looking forward to seeing more of your work

[Brendan Dozier]

Cool looking dark transformation of this rose image, Jason, and appropriate title. Way to creatively experiment and come up with something unique, and kind of stir the imagination. Good suggestions above, agree about tighter crop. Look forward to seeing more!

[Jason Hurst]

Thanks Maureen, and Brendan. Your feedback is very much appreciated. This whole digital world is brand new to me, so some things I'll try might work, and a lot definitely won't...but the best part is, it doesn't cost anything except a bit of time. I also have to learn to try and remember what I did in case it DOES work.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Jason, Welcome to OOTB!! This is a great place to stretch your mind and creativity. I keep a small notebook and write down the steps I do to arrive at a finished product including settings for some of the filters like Fractalius. It helps since I have a terrible memory You can attach a repost to this thread by commenting on the thread and then attaching the redone image so you don't have to wait 24 hours. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your creations

[Jason Hurst]

Thanks for the welcome, Cheryl. Much appreciated. Everyone on these boards seems so friendly, and all of the feedback has been very helpful, and appreciated.

I also wish to thank you for letting me know that I can attach/post the redone image without having to wait, if I make a comment. If I'm still too early, I apologize. Don't want to step on any toes, or over any boundaries.

Also, the notebook, is a great idea...just may have to do that myself.

Anyway, I did some cropping to the left side, and along the bottom, so here is the redone image:

[denise ippolito]

Jason, I think it does look better.

[Jason Hurst]

Thanks Denise, I'm always willing to take advice from those who know better.

This may sound weird, but I'm thinking this might actually look pretty good if it could be printed or even transformed onto black velvet. Even with the rose "velvetized" also. Just for something completely out of the norm. Or even on metallic paper or metal.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Jason, welcome to OOTB! I like your repost best. A very interesting looking image. Nice work!

[Jason Hurst]

Thanks Andrew, much appreciated. I also tried taking Denise's advice/suggestion about showing more of the rose, but when I tried, it opened up, or caused quite a bit of weird, unwanted artifacts/blotches that I couldn't/didn't know how to get rid of, so I left well enough alone.