John Wayne: I like the subject and comp. It looks like the POF is behind the blossoms. This either needs more DOF or a POF closer to the lens. The FG blur seems distracting to me. >=))>
A lovely composition but Bill has a point about the focal plane. Getting enough DOF without focus stacking could be a challenge here. The in-focus areas are very nice so worth another try. The BG is very posterized – maybe minimized if it were darkened in raw conversion, even if two conversions needed to be layered. Posterization is minimized when tonal corrections are done on the raw file, and then when it is brought into PS as 16 bits for any further work, but sometimes that’s not enough.
Sorry Wayne, I am weighing in late on this one. I agree with Bill and Diane about the DOF or POF. I have not attempted to try stacking, but this probably would be one of those images where that would be the best procedure. I do like the composition in this image, and can certainly see why you photographed it. Maybe you will get another try at it.
Thanks to all for your helpful suggestions. I have calibrated my color scheme with Spider Elite, which so far has helped with the “posterization” . Changed the focal plane. Checked to ensure I have been using either 16 or 32 bit color scheme. Re-calibrated my laptop display because it is a different one than my usual.
Repost is improved over your original. This subject is perfect for stacking–lots of contrast, nonmoving subject, and distant background. Next time give it a try…Jim
Thanks Jim. I will give it a try.