The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Another from last week’s foray into the Dogwood grove across the creek, after a light rain. The blooms only last a couple of weeks and there is usually a late rain when they are in bloom. This year I got this chance and then yesterday it rained again and I got a few more. Possible rain again in a week so maybe three chances this year! But I also need calm air to do focus stacks.
Specific Feedback
All comments welcome!
Technical Details
Minimal global tonal adjustments in LR, then a stack of maybe 15 in Zerene Stacker. Then into PS for some quasi soft focus effects. There were some slight areas from the stack that needed retouching but I decided they had a sort of appeal. The main one is where the stem intrudes into the leaf to the left of the flower. It fit the slightly dreamy look that I think these flowers have.
Diane, the flower, the young leaves and the details in the branches all look very good. I’m not sure, but it looks like there may be a bit of dark haloing above big branch to the left. Having the branch showing through the leaf just to the left of the flower tells me that Zerene has the same problem with things behind showing through when either part is very bright (in this case the branch that’s behind) that Helicon does.
Thanks, @Mark_Seaver – I’m not surprised that Helicon and Zerene have the same issues with optics. There are probably ways to minimize halos better than my usual quick-and-dirty technique – someday I’ll explore that….
I like the rework a lot. The change in the little cluster of leaves made a big difference. I’m not so sure about the yellow blob above them-I think I’d be tempted to minimize or remove it.
Thanks, @Dennis_Plank ! I see your point. I have a weakness for these OOF blobs, but this one could be farther from the edge. I don’t remember that I even saw it when I was shooting but I didn’t enhance it except for tweaking the shape in the rework. Or if I did see it I maybe didn’t dare move the tripod. These trees have blossoms on the end of spindly branches and if I brush one I will knock off half the water drops on the other side of the tree. I’m usually perilously close to several branches when I set up something I like. I’m not even sure why it is so yellow. I could dull it down a little. Any other opinions?
Diane: I love your dogwood images and this is no exception. I also noticed the OOF light “blob” @Dennis_Plank commented on. I think I would tone that way down or make it go away altogether but it’s still no more than a 2¢ nit. The tonal tweaks on the repost are icing on an already fine cake. >=))>
Thanks, @Bill_Fach ! And now I’m convinced that the blob is in the wrong place and too prominent. I won’t do a RP but consider it gone (or maybe almost gone).
