I have had this image for 3 years and have tried many different things to make it into something more than what it was. I'm still not sure I'm where I want to be with it but thought I'd throw it out and see what everyone likes/dislikes about it.
I took the original image which had a very diffused, pastel floral BG to it and bumped it up with one of my twist images overlayed as a texture layer. I then masked off the bud and stem and added a bit of blur to the BG and finished with a burning of the frame's edges.
(Sorry about the image size but it was a pretty big file by the time I went to upload it!)
I really like what you have made this into, Julie. The BG is gorgeous and while it's bold and textured/colorful, the bud's colors still shine through. The backlit bud is well handled and I might be tempted to tone down or tint the rim light ever so slightly, but not so much as to match the BG tone/brightness. I think this would make a very attractive print.
This is wonderful, Jules. I think I agree with Steve about the backlit edge (more so on the left), but this image has a lot going for it. The colors are outstanding. The background is heavier at the bottom, where it should be, and -- while it's a strong part of the image -- it's not overpowering. I've commented so much about divine proportion, lately, I hesitate to do it, again. Nevertheless ... I knew the composition was very good, but I superimposed the golden rectangle grid over it, and wow! There is so much right about it. No wonder I like it so much.
Thank you Steve and Dennis...I also had the afterthought of toning down the rim but was so tired of working on it...well, you know how it is! I think I will go back and redo that part with just a light hint of the pale green at a 10-20% pass. Thank you both for confirming that choice.
Nicely composed, Jules, and like the rich texture of BG. Agree on toning down the hightlights on the bud. IMHO the image seems a little light and washed out just a bit. I feel the need to deepen the richness of the colors and compliment the bud more. If this were mine, I would use color adjustments selectively on the BG only to bring out a just a bit more of the reds and reduce the greens. Would also, lower levels of BG to darken a little, and selectively apply just bit of curves on the bud.
Last edited by Brendan Dozier; 11-25-2011 at 04:00 PM.
Love it in all its beauty, especially like your background. As far as the edges go, if you feel they are too dark. I would have first duplicated it, used the retangular marquee tool just inside your darker edges, Select>inverse and lower the opacity to personal taste. For me I love it as I saw it at first sight. Beautiful!
Thank you everyone...Brendan, thanks for the idea of lowering the greens...I think that's what was still bugging me about the image but couldn't quite put my hands on it!
Lotus Bud
