# Summer Breeze (+revised) **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** editors-pick, abstract, plant-life, weekly-challenge\ **Created:** [August 18, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983 "2026-08-18T22:28:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lon\_Overacker](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lon_overacker/32/10929_2.png) [@Lon\_Overacker](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Lon_Overacker)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/1 "2026-08-18T22:28:28Z")
## Revised Version ### Revision 1 (latest) ![Revision 1 - 56ZE_3058ME2v3-npn.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/0/a/0a5b5dd71ce2583cddc95fbe3adbd032f50d0756.jpeg) **What changed:** - raised luminosity and painted lighter green in the darker area below left flower -also softly painted over the stems and leaves for softer look - cropped ever so slightly - dropped luminosity and saturation in the ghosted flower - mitigated the reddish area Dennis pointed out - dodged the darkest tip of the lower petal on the left flower - removed light/white-ish streak twirling towards the right edge _Added after receiving feedback from the community._ * * * ## Original Version ![Original - 56ZE_3058ME2-npn.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/4/d4ad7c73fa1cd1350c5158016fa196db5c75f0b2.jpeg) ### Weekly Challenge The Feeling of Air 8/16/26 - 8/22/26 **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 + Technical ### About This Image > “Summer breeze makes me feel fine > Blowin’ though the jasmine in my mind > ~Seals & Croft” Ok, so it’s not Jasmine - at least I don’t think so. But I gotta say that this is my very first time entering the Weekly Challenge, where after learning the challenge for this week, that I actually sat down and attempted to create something for the Challenge. Yeah, sitting on the back patio like I’ve been doing watching and photographing the birds. But guess what, the birds aren’t always active and I also try and get creative with flowers, yard art, whatever. I was playing around with not only ICM, but multiple exposures, camera-zoom, whatever I could remember out of my memory toolbox. And as it often works, once a technique produces something that excites, well, you try, try again. This is unlike anything I’ve attempted before and I’m quite tickled that I think it worked. This involved a 2-image in camera multiple exposure. The first image in camera is what the metadata below is; faster shutter speed to help freeze the flower (yes, there was a breeze blowing too.) The second image, I stopped way down and got about a 1 sec exposure where I “zoomed” the camera (not the lens) - a technique I want to thank and give credit to, @Huw_Thomas who first posted and described his technique! Thank you Huw! I used the “Light” blending mode in the camera settings for the multiple exposure. Plenty of techniques employed here too with some Orton applied at the end. Copious amount of dodging, burning, blurring… This was almost a project! ### Feedback Requested As always, your comments and feedback are always welcome. I’m really curious if you think this image fits the theme. I suppose it fits at least one of the descriptors! Always would like to hear feedback on colors, sat, luminosity and processing in general. I’m also interested in your impression of how the twirling zoom, combined with the straight image works together as a technique? ### Technical Details Camera: NIKON Z 8 Lens: TAMRON 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD A057Z Focal length: 500mm Shutter speed: 1/250s Aperture: f/8 ISO: 1000 ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/2 "2026-08-19T00:26:20Z")
Holy Cow! This is so gorgeous! The colors and movement are just right and the subtle overlay of the images fits the motion! I could see trimming a bit off the top and right just to put more emphasis on the flowers but I’d hate to lose any of the lovely BG. For me, the more realistic darker section at the bottom doesn’t quite fit. I’d be tempted to brush over some of the soft green from near the bud at a low opacity to just obscure the more in-focus leaf and stem. Dare I say anything about an old dog with a new and instantly-mastered trick??? 🙃 ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 1:01pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/3 "2026-08-19T13:01:57Z")
Fantastic work @Lon_Overacker Colours… wow! Amazing with the ME done in camera - much more exciting and unique than trying to blend images in PS. All your extensive work has really paid off Regards Huw ps thanks for the camera zoom credit, but I’m sure I copied it from someone 😃 ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 3:38pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/4 "2026-08-19T15:38:22Z")
I like this a lot, Lon. It definitely seems to fit the theme and the techniques you employed created a really striking image. There are a couple of areas where I’d probably make some further adjustments, but that’s likely just my personal taste. A very lovely image. ## Visual Notes [A1] maybe reduce luminosity a trifle? [A2] one little area of red here feels like it cold be faded a trifle ![visual notes](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/2/b/2b20df7e0b97b90079da13a79bcfce7724a6ca99.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Lon\_Overacker](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lon_overacker/32/10929_2.png) [@Lon\_Overacker](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Lon_Overacker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/5 "2026-08-19T17:50:13Z")
Thank you @Diane_Miller , @Huw_Thomas and @Dennis_Plank for your comments and suggestions. Much appreciated and I’m posting a revision above. > [@Diane\_Miller](#): > > I could see trimming a bit off the top and right just to put more emphasis on the flowers but I’d hate to lose any of the lovely [BG](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/npn-acronyms-and-terms/12151#background). For me, the more realistic darker section at the bottom doesn’t quite fit. I’d be tempted to brush over some of the [soft](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/npn-acronyms-and-terms/12151#soft) green from near the bud at a low opacity to just obscure the more in-focus leaf and stem. I think I covered those, including “shaving” some off the top/right, not too much though. I lifted the darker area as you suggested. Great calls! > [@Diane\_Miller](#): > > Dare I say anything about an old dog with a new and instantly-mastered trick??? Who you calling old? ha ha. Yeah, a creature of habit can learn some new tricks now and then… 😄 > [@Dennis\_Plank](#): > > There are a couple of areas where I’d probably make some further adjustments, Good call on these too Dennis. I masked and painted with a soft brush and varying opacity to mitigate those areas. I also: removed the white-ish streak, part of the zoom swirl heading to the center right edge. Also expanding on Dennis’ suggestion, dodged/lightened the darkest petal in the left flower Great suggestions, I’m liking this even more now. Thank you! ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/6 "2026-08-19T17:53:48Z")
The original poster added a [revised version](#post_1) of their image. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/7 "2026-08-19T18:04:32Z")
Thumbs up!! ---
**Author:** ![Bonnie\_Lampley](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bonnie_lampley/32/4825_2.png) [@Bonnie\_Lampley](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bonnie_Lampley)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/8 "2026-08-19T18:06:54Z")
Late to the party, but had to chime in - this is super, Lon. I have no nits at this point! ---
**Author:** ![Antonello\_Provenzale](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/antonello_provenzale/32/4658_2.png) [@Antonello\_Provenzale](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Antonello_Provenzale)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/9 "2026-08-19T20:00:00Z")
A bit of a late reply - and have also been absent from NPN for too many weeks - but this image reminds me of how good this community is… excellent picture, Lon, and good description of your “new” toolkit. I love the details of the flowers and the swirling background … Splendid! ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/10 "2026-08-19T20:18:10Z")
Love the revision - beautiful Huw ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/11 "2026-08-19T21:47:09Z")
Looking even better now, Lon. Gorgeous image and really superb processing. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/12 "2026-08-19T22:43:51Z")
> [@Lon\_Overacker](#): > > Who you calling old? ha ha. Yeah, a creature of habit can learn some new tricks now and then… 😄 Uh… Er… make that an experienced dog! 🙃 ---
**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:** [August 20, 2026, 12:36pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/13 "2026-08-20T12:36:20Z")
Lon, definitely “breezy” and summery, especially the revision. I really like that there are decent details both in the flowers and in the leaves and bud. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/14 "2026-08-20T22:52:53Z")
Lon: Wonderfully conceived and superbly rendered. The revision is flat out gorgeous. Many kudos. \>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![David\_Haynes](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@David\_Haynes](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Haynes)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/16 "2026-08-21T22:52:22Z")
Dang it if this isn’t just gorgeous, Lon! For me it’s the color combination with the Pinks playing off the greens along with the blur and not blur of portions of the image. The flowers are from the same plant but look completely different in a great way. I like that there are some buds and leaves to show the plant and the background swirl effect is terrific and only affecting the background layer. Cool. I love the purple swirl in the upper right corner and I think the revision knocks it out of the park. ---
**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:** [August 24, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/17 "2026-08-24T13:56:08Z")
A terrific blend of concept, craft and execution to produce a truly beautiful and unique final image. \>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@Ed\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/summer-breeze-revised/51983/18 "2026-08-26T14:47:48Z")
Hi Lon, A big wow on this one! I am loving the color combination of the magenta flowers set against the backdrop of different shades of green. I am also quite taken with that purple swirl of color in the URC as it implies a wonderful sense of motion.For my own personal tastes I think you nailed it with the rework with the suggested small tweaks. Beautifully done.