# Water Lily in Fog (+revised) **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** editors-pick, black-and-white, plant-life\ **Created:** [September 23, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346 "2026-09-23T01:47:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **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 23, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/1 "2026-09-23T01:47:47Z")
## Revised Version ### Revision 3 (latest) ![Revision 3 - 2026-09-18-11.17.43 ZS DMap-Edit-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/1/d1d09e1f89dfa427a1cf1ad376bbec5ee39f5b40.jpeg) **What changed:** Some small cloning tweaks and a bit of rotation as the puddle felt awkward. Added a gradient for the water for a bit of dimensionality. I hope this is the last tweak! ### Revision 2 ![Revision 2 - 2026-09-18-11.17.43 ZS DMap-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/0/a0fc6a18646cbb44f685871b1ac9f002a1e4e00b.jpeg) ### Revision 1 ![Revision 1 - 2026-09-18-11.17.43 ZS DMap-Edit-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/6/8/689808b27cbaae29e1f277f2ed515235688d84fe.jpeg) **What changed:** Darkened the lily pad on the left, cleaned up a dust spot and some sloppy cloning on the water. _Added after receiving feedback from the community._ * * * ## Original Version ![Original - 2026-09-18-11.17.43 ZS DMap-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/5/6/56f39e8c374903dcdfaf37d96d7e4027bc742e20.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 Morning fog has been clearing early lately, but last Thursday it lingered long enough for me to race down to Sonoma Botanical Garden. And calm air that let me capture this scene with a stack, although there is some flow through the pond. There was very little color so I went with B/W, and always love playing with the color sliders. ### Feedback Requested All comments welcome! ### Technical Details Camera: Canon EOS R5 Lens: RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM + EXTENDER RF2x Focal length: 600mm Shutter speed: 1/125s Aperture: f/11 ISO: 500 Tripod, focus stack, minimal corrections in LR and into Zerene to stack. Then to PS for some simplifying at edges and B/W conversion. ---
**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 23, 2026, 2:22am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/2 "2026-09-23T02:22:39Z")
Wow, Diane, a great idea to put a water lily shot into B and W. I love the softness of the light here, and the reflection of the flower. The shadows under the leaf edges really enhance the outlines. The large blob of water on the leaf is stunning. Allow me to suggest an alternative composition. If you cloned out the leftmost large leaf, you would get a simpler composition, maybe cropping off a bit along the bottom of the photo. The cloning might be tricky because of the part adjoining the “blob leaf”, but I’m sure it’s not beyond your powers. You’d lose the leading line from left up towards the right corner, but to my eye that wouldn’t matter too much. Just my taste. (Yep, I love playing with the B and W sliders too!) ---
**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 23, 2026, 8:07am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/3 "2026-09-23T08:07:15Z")
Hi Diane If you are going mono I started trying to play with the lighting and contrast and the textures to make the image sing a bit more. I have left the crop as is because I can’t see one better - I think the flooded leaf needs the one in the LLC to stop it being too much of a story but the circle of the water balances the circle of the flower compositionally very nicely . An image well worth your efforts Regards Huw ## Visual Notes [A1] sensor spot ![visual notes](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/b/a/bafc812274968c27ff706077d4b0acf65a3690b5.jpeg) Processing example based on the original image: ![processing example](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/3/0/30b2b5f8b1777e80ecea5e51a3335796f20c3cff.png) ---
**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 23, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/4 "2026-09-23T14:36:28Z")
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:** [September 23, 2026, 2:42pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/5 "2026-09-23T14:42:08Z")
Thanks, @Mike_Friel and @Huw_Thomas ! I cleaned up the dust spot (thanks, Huw – it was on the back of the TC) and tried darkening that leaf. I agree it needs something but not sure if this did any good. The raw file was striking due to its low contrast from reflections and I tried to stay with that but did bring it up just a tad in the OP. There is now some posterization from the conversion to 8-bit JPEG. I think I’ll try removing that leaf, but it will be tricky. ---
**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 23, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/6 "2026-09-23T15:19:13Z")
Diane: Wonderful subject and a fine comp and capture. My only suggestion is to brighten the lily just a bit. As it is it looks a little dull and even in B&W I think these flowers should command real attention. I bumped the flower a half stop which may be a bit too much but back to you for your consideration. \>=))\> ![diane](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/5/c/5c4c8a54874f9b197b30fa315d5506777ae64a54.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 23, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/7 "2026-09-23T16:04:01Z")
Thanks, @Bill_Fach – the histogram shows you are right! Fixed in the revision above, in which I also managed to remove the leaf. (Stole the material from a leaf I had cloned out at the top of the original capture.) I have the feeling it needs a slight CW rotation for the puddle, but left it alone here for a good comparison of before and after. Didn’t think I would be able to do a decent job with the leaf, but surprised myself. Years ago in a high school art class, we were assigned to copy some piece, and afterwards the instructor told me I should consider a career as a forger. ---
**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 23, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/8 "2026-09-23T16:04:36Z")
The original poster added a [revised version](#post_1) of their image. ---
**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 23, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/9 "2026-09-23T16:29:02Z")
> [@Diane\_Miller](#): > > I should consider a career as a forger 😱 Remind me if you go to the Yosemite gathering in November not to let my checkbook get out of my sight around you 😉\>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/michael_lowe/32/7118_2.png) [@Michael\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Michael_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/10 "2026-09-23T16:34:11Z")
Others have already voiced thougts similar to mine, so I’ll just piggyback off them.😀 I agree with @Mike_Friel about the composition and crop and @Bill_Fach about brightening the flower. B&W looks great. Lovely work. ---
**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 23, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/11 "2026-09-23T18:57:08Z")
The removal of the third leaf has altered the composition in that the floating flower and flooded leaf are disconnected from the side of the frame I see how this makes the focus on the flower much stronger and appreciate the result Very nice 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:** [September 23, 2026, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/12 "2026-09-23T20:11:16Z")
Your revision 2 is stunning, Diane, and the initial post was excellent to start with. Nothing really to add to what others have said, except that I really like the direction this image took. ---
**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 23, 2026, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/13 "2026-09-23T23:54:17Z")
Liked it before, love it now. That’s a great job on the forgery, Diane! ---
**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 23, 2026, 11:56pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/14 "2026-09-23T23:56:51Z")
Wow! Who knew that removing that leaf would give it more pop!? I liked the original and would have merely suggested a little more mid-tone contrast, but I like your second revision a lot. Nicely done. 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, 12:30am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/15 "2026-09-24T00:30:39Z")
Thanks, @Michael_Lowe , @Huw_Thomas, @Dennis_Plank , @Mike_Friel and @Marylynne_Diggs ! I think this is going to be one of my all-time favorites. ---
**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:** [September 27, 2026, 12:34am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/16 "2026-09-27T00:34:54Z")
Regarding Revision 2: Diane, A bit late to the party, but OH MY this is gorgeous! I’m pretty sure I would say that if you only had the original. And I’m thuroughly impressed with the results of revision 2. Outstanding editing! What’s now interesting to me is that I envision the color version as it might be more documentary, whereas the tonality, luminosity and even the contrast really make this one sing. Beautifully seen and captured. Kudos! ---
**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 27, 2026, 1:49pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/17 "2026-09-27T13:49:43Z")
Regarding Revision 2: OMG, where to begin? The latest revision is jaw-dropping in its simplicity and we all know that is the hardest thing to achieve. The arrangement of the (now) three elements is so balanced and the water spilled into the lower leaf is sublime in the way it tells the story of the watery world. However you achieved the grayscale tonalities is fantastic. I never thought a version with this much gray could work so well. We’re so hung up on contrast and “pop” with black and white that I think we’ve stopped appreciating the softness and subtlety of all that is in between. Gray reveals, but also conceals in the sense that we can gloss right over it if we aren’t careful. I bet this would make a stunning metal print. Can you say ‘Fine art gallery’? Fabulous. ---
**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 28, 2026, 2:44am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/18 "2026-09-28T02:44:40Z")
Thanks, @Lon_Overacker and @Kris_Smith ! This is one that just sort of sat there on my screen and told me what to do. The original was very low contrast which got me onto the right path. It was quite unlike others I had shot within about a half hour within maybe 50 ft along the shoreline. Yeah – next print is probably in the works. Time to move some older things into the guest bedroom. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Douglass](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dave_douglass/32/5332_2.png) [@Dave\_Douglass](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dave_Douglass)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/19 "2026-09-28T14:24:52Z")
Fine Capture. I am fond of B&W photos. I vote for revision 2. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Keith\_Flood](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/keith_flood/32/77197_2.png) [@Keith\_Flood](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Keith_Flood)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346/20 "2026-09-28T14:28:57Z")
Revision 2 is exquisite! I don’t think I would have thought of BW for this scene, thank you for opening up my imagination, your vision is inspiring! [Next page](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/water-lily-in-fog-revised/52346.md?page=2)