# A graceful exit (+revised) **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** editors-pick, plant-life, macro-close-up\ **Created:** [September 14, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271 "2026-09-14T15:59:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/1 "2026-09-14T15:59:38Z")
## Revised Version ### Revision 1 (latest) ![2026-09-12-11.56.02 ZS PMax-Edit-Edit-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/d/adedc9382b75429318242f68a3ee563e190cd25b.jpeg) **What changed:** Removed the object pointed out by Bill Fach and smoothed the reflections and OOF stuff in the water a bit. Other shots show some sort of thread-like structures under the water and they show here subtly. _Added after receiving feedback from the community._ * * * ## Original Version ![Original - 2026-09-12-11.56.02 ZS PMax-Edit-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/7/8/786f2c20209da2c763e35a96e78e0a6711ff3a8e.jpeg) **Critique Style:** Standard The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below. **Feedback Focus:** Artistic / Expressive ### About This Image Deep in a sheltered cove in Sonoma Botanical Garden, there is a tiny pool containing a prized specimen lotus plant. And nestled to one side is a lone Japanese Anemone, with some of its branches overhanging the water. These discarded petals felt like an offering, not from a visitor but from the plant itself. Shot exactly as found. They also felt like an offering to me, in place of the lotus, which was not yet ready to be immortalized. ### Feedback Requested All comments welcome! ### Technical Details Camera: Canon EOS R5 Lens: RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Focal length: 500mm Shutter speed: 1/90s Aperture: f/8 ISO: 800 Tripod with in-camera focus stack Minimal global tonal tweaks in LR, then about 5-6 frames into Zerene Stacker. Then into PS for NR and a large crop. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/2 "2026-09-14T16:12:14Z")
Diane, this is a nicely gentle view with some great details. I do notice how blotchy the background is. That’s typical of a stack where the background is either moving or having the lighting change. If you used stacking software rather than the in camera option, the blotchiness could be fixed in the stacker. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Fach](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_fach/32/78290_2.png) [@Bill\_Fach](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Fach)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/3 "2026-09-14T16:54:24Z")
Diane: What a wonderful find and just a superb capture. Got a nice little 😱-meter spike. If @Mark_Seaver hadn’t mentioned the BG I doubt I would have noticed it and even then it doesn’t bother me. I’ll pick two \<1¢ nits: the subtle line going out of the top of the frame and the little satellite off to the left. I’m really grasping at straws regarding the line and I’m not even sure if making the satellite disappear does much for the image. Its proximity to the main subject works OK for me. If it was further away I might want to make it go away for sure. In any event here’s the tiny changes to a truly delightful shot.\>=))\> ![Diane](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/1/d145a1f44fe5118e55462eeb53a7865e9d766a74.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/4 "2026-09-14T18:04:10Z")
Thanks, @Mark_Seaver and @Bill_Fach ! Bill, I thought about removing that diffuse thing going out the top, and have done so now – thanks for the nudge. I’m not seeing what I would call artifacts in the water. There was no change in light and I doubt significant water movement in the short span of the stack. I think the mottling is the very OOF reflection of some overhanging sunlit trees and some junk under the surface. I did a RP with a little blur on the water and a test with Nik Detail Extractor shows some improvement. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/system/32/86481_2.png) [@system](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/5 "2026-09-14T18:05:49Z")
The original poster added a [revised version](#post_1) of their image. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Peters](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/don_peters/32/87970_2.png) [@Don\_Peters](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Don_Peters)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/6 "2026-09-14T20:54:54Z")
This is beautiful, Diane. My only qualm concerns the crop, which I think should be tighter. I see that you were shooting at 500mm and I suspect you’ve cropped it already but there’s quite a bit of dead space. My suggestion: ![Diane's 2](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/4/5/4543803890989e270ce06c8b3d5a85e354ee1a47.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Kris\_Smith](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kris_smith/32/59826_2.png) [@Kris\_Smith](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kris_Smith)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/7 "2026-09-14T22:18:21Z")
Regarding Revision 1: This is jaw dropping lady! Seriously a wonderful sight that is so delicate and a touch otherworldly in the sense that the second petal seems like a departed spirit more than anything. I love all the fine detail int he stamens and the smoothness of the water that sets them off so perfectly. The clarity difference at the top edge and around the stamens is just a wonderful touch. Tell me you will print this. I feel I need a print, too. Wow. Seriously one of the most distinctive photos I’ve seen here and you know the crowd we have! All talent, all the time! The revision elevates this to another level. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/8 "2026-09-14T22:45:09Z")
What a glorious find, Diane, and you photographed it and processed it beautifully. I like your revised version and the only thing I might do to it is take a hair off the right side as it feels just a touch unbalanced to my eye. I like giving all that wonderful stuff some room to breathe, so I wouldn’t go much tighter. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/9 "2026-09-14T23:26:17Z")
Thanks, @Don_Peters , @Kris_Smith and @Dennis_Plank ! Don, I’m usually into cropping pretty tight, and anyone probably would have had to be there to appreciate that this little gem was floating in a fairly large expanse of water. I was wishing I had brought the 2X but was into saving weight as the garden is an extensive and hilly hike. So I wound up with this being a large crop but wanted to preserve some sense of the expanse around this little scene. That may not come across, though. Dennis, same idea – I felt the gesture sort of opened up toward the right. And Kris – wow – thanks!! I can see how this resonates with your watery habitat! The thought of a print was sort of floating around (in a manner of speaking) but I didn’t choose the crop with a print in mind. Wouldn’t have mattered back in the day when I was printing on various papers and cutting my own mats, but these days I’m into prints on metal, with Bay Photo doing all the work. So, with some trepidation I opened it in PS and found it scales almost exactly to 8x10 – 8x10.001 to be exact. So – it looks like a print is meant to be! ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Friel](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mike_friel/32/28003_2.png) [@Mike\_Friel](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mike_Friel)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/10 "2026-09-15T00:17:11Z")
Well seen and beautifully captured, Diane. I especially love the circular ripples and the muted colors. First class! ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Fach](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_fach/32/78290_2.png) [@Bill\_Fach](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Fach)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2026, 12:58pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/11 "2026-09-20T12:58:41Z")
A unique and compelling subject in a wonderful setting. \>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2026, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/12 "2026-09-20T17:26:23Z")
Thanks, @Mike_Friel , and thanks @Bill_Fach for the EP – what a delightful surprise!! I went back to the garden a few days later and kept watch for similar little gems and found none! This sort of thing is something I generally try to watch for but I will be paying even more attention in the future, as I felt right away that this was a special gift, and it was well out of reach of my macro lens. The 100-500 saved the day. ---
**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/13 "2026-09-20T20:38:38Z")
Wonderful peaceful image and deserving EP - well done Huw ---
**Author:** ![Glenys\_Passier](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/glenys_passier/32/33963_2.png) [@Glenys\_Passier](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Glenys_Passier)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/14 "2026-09-23T22:22:51Z")
I am so late and I fear I will never catch up. Others have mentioned the beauty of this image. I will echo all. It certainly has that Diane stamp of the marriage of art and technical knowledge. And! Congrats on the EP! ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/15 "2026-09-24T00:04:14Z")
Call me crazy, Diane, but every time I looked at this, it felt upside down. Now that you have perfected it, and there’s really nothing else to do, I thought I would pop in and show you a rotated 180 version. I think it’s me. I think it’s the idea that a series of ripples should come toward me, not away. To be clear, this is not “better,” just different. I thought I’d share it in case it changes anything for you. Sometimes I keep things in the original orientation I found them, only to discover that a rotation feels better somehow. It often takes a long time or some odd person walking along saying, “is that upside down?” for me to even consider it. ![Diane2026-09-12-11.56.02 ZS PMax-Edit-Edit-Edit_MLD](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/0/8/08a7dfafbac87524d588c43e3b4c7b275f9b2a7f.jpeg) Love the image, and please disregard if you find the rotation annoying. ML ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 1:54am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/16 "2026-09-24T01:54:36Z")
Thanks, @Huw_Thomas , @Glenys_Passier and @Marylynne_Diggs ! Marylynne, I think the original is ambiguous and see your point. This is probably one where you had to have been there. Both petals are beneath the surface except for the top edge of the larger one, and the stamens are on the surface. But I don’t think that is readily obvious and don’t see any way to make it show. Because I saw the real thing, I see the petals as concave, and when flipped I see them as convex, which would suggest the larger one is above the water, just touching it on what is now the lower right. ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 4:05am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/17 "2026-09-24T04:05:29Z")
Oh, I can see that now. It’s wonderfully hard to process it even in its apparent simplicity. ML ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 11:41am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/18 "2026-09-25T11:41:02Z")
Revised version looks good and a well desrved EP for a stunning image. Congrats! As close-up shots go, it has color, intriguing details, lots of interesting overlapping features for the subject. I do like the tighter crop that was presented by @Don_Peters . …Jim ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 10:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-graceful-exit-revised/52271/19 "2026-09-25T22:53:44Z")
Thanks, @Marylynne_Diggs and @Jim_Zablotny !