What changed: Dodge the lower left corner but also burned areas around the original dark corner to balance it a little better with the LRC. I did quite a bit of color grading trying to get the colors in a similar range between corners, but that wasn’t entirely successful.
What changed: Took some of the suggestions from feedback. Cropped a little differently (more symmetrical), also dodged and burned different areas of the image along with some color grading to balance the colors. I dodged the lower corners just a tad because I felt they were a little dark. I still left them darker than the rest of the image to add a little weight to the bottom.
Added after receiving feedback from the community.
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
This is a shallow DOF image of a bloom on a Persian silk tree (commonly incorrectly called a mimosa). I’ve taken shots like this before, although my previous image was much more pastel. I was drawn to how everything in the image sort of bursts from the middle, even the colors.
Feedback Requested
I’d like to receive some thoughts on the image, including processing choices or distractions. I’m also interested in hearing first impressions of the image.
Hello Jonathan, 1st impression on the small preview was I wanted to see it full size because the soft colors, crossing shapes and focus textures were of interest. At full size I wanted to see a wider range of focus in the center of the image with the crossing filaments and extending just into the “bursting” ones . I see that there are a lot of choices for processing. I tried a visual note on the screen regarding the URC. Also I was a little distracted at the location of the watermark…it is covering an interesting corner. I would move it to low center and let it lay over the dark green splotchy area that does not (at least to my eye) fit most of your appealing color palette of pink, reds and white. I like the cottony white center and would want to work those highlights more. A radial mask in the center of this area could be one way to go. I like what you have, but I would recommend increasing the brightness to provide more pop. I do get a good sense of wonder with the image, like watching fireworks, so nice job.
Visual Notes
[A1] could this match in exposure and treatment of the opposite side? more of that orange glow perhaps.
Hi Jonathan,
My first impression is definitely “wow, that’s cool” and then I begin to appreciate the colors and the crossing stamens. As for suggestions, I might be inclined to try to crop just a tish. As is, it feels left side dominant, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it seems to beg for symmetry, even with the stamens going different directions.
I’m going to give it a go with the crop tool. But really, just playing with crops to keep what you like best might be more fun than taking my recommendation. I don’t think I can constrain crop to your original aspect ratio, so that’s a consideration as well.
Nicely done,
ML
Visual Notes
[Crop] This crop gets rid of some edges and focuses our attention on the lines and colors in the center.
@Stephen_Stanton Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I implemented most of them and added a few more. I hear you on the watermark, but it is automatically added so placing for a single image is a bit of a pain without going into Ps.
@Marylynne_Diggs Thank you for the feedback! I cropped as you suggested, I agree with you on the symmetry.
First of all, if I hadn’t already, Welcome to NPN! Great to have you here!
Love this image! Beautifully executed. Thank you for taking the feedback and taking the time to revise the image. The repost is outstanding! I expecially like how you brought the greens more inline with the other colors and luminosity. I agree with what you said on how the colors radiate out from the center.
The only additional feedback - since you did such a great job on the edits, might be to push the dodging in the lower corners a tad bit more. I completely agree with you about retaining a little “weight” along the bottom. To that end, I like what is goin on in the LRC. But it’s the LLC that maybe could be tweaked. NOt sure if this will make sense, but I could see dodging the exterme corner just a tak more (in line with the right side) - but then also may slightly burn a longer area to match the weigh of the right? Hopefully that makes sense. Pretty minor tweak though.
Love this image! We’ll look forward to seeing more of your work and participation in the galleries!
Thank you for your feedback. Yes, that lower left corner was bothering me as well. I left it only because the color was so different, but after your comment decided to have a go at it. I still think there are a couple of areas down there that bother me a little (one spot is too dark), but overall I like the result better. The colors were quite a bit harder to balance to the right side.
Gary,
Thank you for your comments! Yes the 180mm is a dream in some ways. Manually focusing is wonderful, but you don’t want to have to depend on autofocus too much, it is horribly slow. Image rendering however, is spectacular.
Welcome to NPN and congrats on the EP. Sorry that I’m late for responding to this photo. This is an abstract that does what it is supposed to do. This image makes one think about the interesting shapes and colors present in the view. The darkened areas in the revised version are a nice touch and add a base to the image. The long focal length and open aperture of your macro lens got you what was needed for the shot. Excellent image…Jim
Jonathan: I thought I had commented on this marvelous shot but must have gotten sidetracked and forgot. The final iteration is terrific. We had a tree like this in our back yard of our old house but i was not into photography then and never paid it much mind. Congrats on a fine image and for a well deserved EP. >=))>
This is BEAUTIFUL, Jonathan! I love the most recent post. It adds a softness that fits with the delicate nature of the flower. Can’t wait to get a macro lens and start playing. Thank you for the inspiration!!
