Red Cactus Flower

[Brendan Dozier]

Liked how these flowers were lit up by the sun. Experimented with different angles - this was close to full frame. Levels & color adjustments in CS5, added some Topaz Clean & Detail, Nik Tonal Contrast & Brighten darken center, some dodging and burning.

[Jay Sheinfield]

Brendan, Love the red! Nice image design and well seen. Good Work!

[Mitch Carucci]

Looks like something that would grow on a coral reef. Nice mystery to this image, and the red is Luscious.

[Indranil Sircar]

Beautiful composition, Brendan. I too love the red... and complementary color of the filament. Very nice perspective. TFS.

[Nancy Bell]

This is awesome! I love those anthers reaching out from the deeps of the flower. The edges of the brilliant curving red petals create a beautiful composition. Did you use a macro lens?

[John Storjohann]

Brendan, I love the layering that you captured here in the petals...it accentuates the feeling of depth in the image, creates a subtle blend of light and shadow, and adds a series of lines that draws your eye through the image again and again. The deep reds stand out in stark contrast to the star-shaped pattern of the white stamens...this is really well composed. Nicely done!

[denise ippolito]

Brendan, First of all congratulations on the second place win in Artie's contest! This is lovely and the composition is terrific.

[Brendan Dozier]

Thanks Denise!