# The Beginning **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** plant-life\ **Created:** [July 12, 2019, 3:45am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/the-beginning/7595 "2019-07-12T03:45:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RayLaurence](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/raylaurence/32/68330_2.png) [@RayLaurence](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/RayLaurence)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2019, 3:45am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/the-beginning/7595/1 "2019-07-12T03:45:05Z")
### What technical feedback would you like if any? ### What artistic feedback would you like if any? General presentation, appeal, improvements, any other suggestions to strengthen the image. ### Pertinent technical details or techniques: (If the background has been replaced, etc. please be honest with your techniques to help others learn) Captured on a D850 with Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 lens in RAW format. White balance and black point set in Lightroom CC Classic. Additional color balance, vignette, and some dodging performed in Photoshop CC 2019. NIK Define 2 used to reduce noise. ###### If you would like your image to be eligible for a feature on the NPN Instagram (@NaturePhotoNet), add the tag ‘ig’ and leave your Instagram username below. ##### **_You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques._**![The-Beginning](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/2X/f/f648e265e523cdc2a09ff273aefa952f7337210b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Patricia\_Brundage](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@Patricia\_Brundage](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Patricia_Brundage)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2019, 11:46am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/the-beginning/7595/2 "2019-07-12T11:46:37Z")
The new varieties of hydrangea have stunning color and your use of a vignette emphasizes that. In this case the center placement works nicely. Very natural setting/composition as well. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Freeman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/shirley_freeman/32/11361_2.png) [@Shirley\_Freeman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Shirley_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2019, 1:29pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/the-beginning/7595/3 "2019-07-12T13:29:24Z")
Beautiful, Ray. I agree with Patricia, the center position works well with the shape of the flower, and the vignette puts more emphasis where it needs to be. I really like that the open blooms are around the edges, and all those buds in the middle. A great shot, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_McGuirk](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ed_mcguirk/32/30542_2.png) [@Ed\_McGuirk](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_McGuirk)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2019, 1:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/the-beginning/7595/4 "2019-07-12T13:43:09Z")
Ray this image sucessfully makes a very bold statement. The light, the color and the strong vignette look great, great job on the processing. Similar to @Shirley_Freeman, I love how the only open flowers are in the outer ring, that is a very unusual but interesting look. My only nit is that I wish the front and center flower was in sharper focus, but that would have required doing some focus stacking. Even with that minor issue, this is still a very strong and pleasing image, very nice work !!! ---
**Author:** ![RayLaurence](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/raylaurence/32/68330_2.png) [@RayLaurence](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/RayLaurence)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/the-beginning/7595/5 "2019-07-12T19:08:55Z")
Thank you for your perspective. ---
**Author:** ![RayLaurence](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/raylaurence/32/68330_2.png) [@RayLaurence](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/RayLaurence)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/the-beginning/7595/6 "2019-07-12T19:09:56Z")
Thank you, I appreciate your insights. ---
**Author:** ![RayLaurence](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/raylaurence/32/68330_2.png) [@RayLaurence](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/RayLaurence)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/the-beginning/7595/7 "2019-07-12T19:11:07Z")
Thanks Ed, I appreciate your comments. ---
**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:** [July 13, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/the-beginning/7595/8 "2019-07-13T21:08:08Z")
Ray: This is a wonderful subject superbly captured and presented. Marvelous lighting on the buds and blooms. My only suggestion is with regard to the comp. I would prefer a bit more room on top and a bit less on the bottom. Tilting the camera up a few degrees would do the trick. 👍👍\>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![RayLaurence](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/raylaurence/32/68330_2.png) [@RayLaurence](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/RayLaurence)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2019, 12:21am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/the-beginning/7595/9 "2019-07-14T00:21:12Z")
Thank you for your comments.