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Category: Friendly Praise Archive

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Emerging


	Emerging Finalist I shot these cone flowers with a relatively shallow depth of field and then used various filters (radial blur, liquify, Gaussian blur) to increase and change the quality of the background blur. Originally uploaded the first week in September, I decided the photo needed a boost so I pulled it, increased the saturation and intensity of the color, and am resubmitting it in the Monthly Theme. Original settings: 1/100 sec - f 3.60 - ISO 100 Nikki McDonald

- Nikki McDonald

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I had so many lovely comments on the first image and I'm hoping no one will mind if I copy and transfer them to this one.

Jennifer L. Alder
Really neat MT entry, Nikki!
Nice color, comp and effects :)
9/6/2007 4:00:33 AM

Jessica Jenney
Beautiful soft color, lighting and effects, Nikki!
9/6/2007 4:05:06 AM

Carolyn Fletcher
This is a beauty!!
9/6/2007 4:07:38 AM

Dominick M. Dimacale
Awesome image and wonderful use of effects Nikki, right on for the MT...Dominick
9/6/2007 4:11:04 AM

Sheri L. Lefty
Great shot and edit Nikki!
9/6/2007 5:17:24 AM

Ken Smith
This turned out super, Nikki. Great effects and composition!
9/6/2007 5:29:15 AM

Bill Wyatt
Very beautiful I really love these effects and colors!
9/6/2007 6:45:32 AM

Stefania Barbier
What a beauty Nikki!!!!!!! I love how the center is tack sharp, and the rest is soft and diffused... you did an amazing PS work! WTG girl!
9/6/2007 8:32:03 AM

Shawn Jennings
Excellent work, Nikki! Looks great!
9/6/2007 8:35:25 AM

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September 16, 2007

- Nikki McDonald

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Mitch Spence
Ah, nice, Nikki. The clarity of the top of the foreground flower which then sweeps so seamlessly into the soft blurred arc of its petals and those of the background flower creates a beautiful, strong graphic statement.
9/6/2007 9:28:50 AM

Christopher J. Budny
I really like the extra touch the Liquefy adds to this, especially in the lower left. Nice work!
9/6/2007 10:57:36 AM

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna
WHOA!!!!! It's simply GORGEOUS, Nikki!!!!! Awesome image and fantastic effects!!!!!!! ? k
9/6/2007 12:42:39 PM

Shirley L. Carpenter
WOW!! A winner Nikki!! Excellent composition and effects!!
9/6/2007 2:09:20 PM

Tamara K. Walker
Beautiful, wonderful work, great results.
9/6/2007 2:35:40 PM

MELODIE C. ROBERTS
I am in agreement with all of the above....Great Work Nikki....MeL
9/6/2007 4:06:08 PM

Lynn Haack
Nikki...great work with lighting, color and effects! I really like this...a lot! Lynn
9/6/2007 4:11:56 PM

David Pratt
Terrific use of effects Nikki! Wonderful composition with this flower.
9/6/2007 6:03:26 PM

Cheryl E. Molennor
Well done
9/6/2007 6:16:30 PM

Barbara A. Dawson
Wonderful effects Nikki! Well done! B-
9/6/2007 6:24:59 PM

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September 16, 2007

- Nikki McDonald

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Jamie Thomas
just lovely! thanks so much for sharing :)
9/6/2007 6:40:23 PM

Colleen Farrell
Outstanding PS work, Nikki! (Of course, an outstanding floral to begin with, too) I love how it looks like the flower is pulling away from the blur, rising up. Perfect title!
9/6/2007 11:05:35 PM

Sandra R. Alvey
Wow Wow Wow Nikki this is just BEAUTIFUL!! Gorgous!! Awesome effects and color!
9/7/2007 3:22:44 PM

Carol Teal
Beautifully done Nikki! Great effects and such a wonderful, lovely flower! Just perfect!
9/9/2007 12:15:28 AM

Dianna L. Keeler
GREAT and fitting title! Emerging at warp speed! LOVE the clarity of the center and then the soft blurred downward movements of the rest of the flower, Nikki!! A wonderful MT entry! Lovely soft colors as well! VERY eye pleasing!
9/9/2007 8:59:53 AM

Susan M. Campbell
Love this! Wonderful work.
9/9/2007 6:30:54 PM

JEANA CLARK
Beautiful Nikki!!!
Gorgeous color and EXCELENT effects!!
WELL DONE!!
~Jeana~
9/9/2007 6:40:18 PM

Sharon D
Beautiful image, Nikki!!! I love the colors and effects!
9/11/2007 5:43:44 PM

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September 16, 2007

Carol Teal

I don't have them to compare Nikki, but it is still just gorgeous!

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September 16, 2007

MELODIE C. ROBERTS

I thought this looked familiar.....
Still beautiful...Maybe more so...;0)

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September 17, 2007

Cheryl E. Davis

Just beautiful! Love the blur effects you used and this works very nicely for the MT! Well done!

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September 17, 2007

Sam Britt

Beautiful color, lighting & effects, Nikki. Terrific theme entry.

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September 17, 2007

Cheryl E. Molennor

Awesome

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September 17, 2007

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna

And it's STILL awesome, Nikki!!!!!! love Love LOVE it!!!!!! ♫ k

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September 17, 2007

Donna La Mattino Pagakis

Beautiful flowers, colors and blur!

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September 17, 2007

lauriedailyphotos.com - Laurie Daily

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Beautiful effects and colors, Nikki. I love my cones, but the bugs have loved them better this year. Most have looked quite tattered and torn all season...this one is a real beauty!

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September 17, 2007

- Nikki McDonald

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Thanks for all the lovely extra comments, Carol, Mel, Cheryl D., Sam, Cheryl M., Kitty, Donna, and Laurie. Glad you like--or still like--it. Cross your fingers for at least an EFP button :) And Laurie, I'll trade you a perfect--or nearly so!--coneflower for a gazania tonight. We need to get movin' on this deal before a frost sets in :)

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September 17, 2007

Sandra R. Alvey

Awesome Nikki!! This is just fantastic effects and look at that vibrant color! Splendid!

Sandi

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September 17, 2007

- Lisa J. Boulden

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This is really beautiful, Nikki!
Love the selective focus!
--Lisa

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September 17, 2007

Steven E. Ray

Oh yeah... this is a great use of the focus filter. Your alignment is just right and works wonderfully!

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September 17, 2007

Nancy (Peaches) Harker

Niki, all I can say is AWSOME JOB girl, just beautiful!

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September 18, 2007

Ross Throndson

Gorgeous Work, Nikki....Like the Color & the Blur.....Beautiful Image!!

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September 18, 2007

Steve M. Harrington

Yes! Saturation! :) This is truly lovely, Nikki. I think you will get more than an EP on this fine work.
Steve

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September 18, 2007

Dianna Hauf

ANd I am in total agreement with Steve! MORE than an EFP on this and I STILL love it even with the boost in saturation!! Such a gorgeous image!

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September 18, 2007

Michelle L. Frick

Congratulations on your beautiful finalist Nikki!! Way to go!!

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October 24, 2007

- Su Sana E. P

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Congratulations on this beautiful Finalist, Nikki!!

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October 24, 2007

Jeana Clark

YIPEEE!!!
I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU NIKKI!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
WAY TO GO GIRL!!!
~J~

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October 24, 2007

John Caruso

Congrats on your well deserved finalist for this one Nikki!

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October 24, 2007

Susan M. Hembree

Congratulations, Nikki, on your finalist!

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October 24, 2007

MELODIE C. ROBERTS

YEA NIKKI !!!!!!

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October 24, 2007

Carol Teal

WTG Nikki! Glad to see your fav made finalist! I really like this one a lot too. I love the coneflowers, and this is just a gorgeous capture!

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October 24, 2007

Steve M. Harrington

I called this one right, huh? Good on you, Nikki! :)
Steve

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October 24, 2007

Marta J. Baldwin

Congratulations on this beautiful finalist Nikki!

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October 24, 2007

- Les Rhoades

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Nikki, Congratulations on your finalist!
I'm not sure how I missed this one earlier because it's beautiful. Now we have to battle it out together in the next round. It's a flower fight! LOL :O)

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October 24, 2007

Ron Roberts

CONGRATS NIKKI ON YOUR FINALIST BEST OF LUCK IN THE NEXT ROUND MY GUESS IS WINNER...RON...