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celebrate

© Rita K. Connell

celebrate

Uploaded: July 05, 2009

Description

Exif: F Number: 10, Exposure Bias Value: 0.33, ExposureTime: 1/500 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 320, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 112.00 mm, Model: NIKON D300

Comments

Rita K. Connell level-classic July 05, 2009

I took this at 8 o'clock in the evening, I used curves on it but I think the flower is to bright I have attached the original picture. I like the warm of the evening sun on it. Help don't enough how to work the picture. #1150036

Sharon Lohrmann July 05, 2009

i think the coloring in your first post is better rita, but I agree that the petals are a bit bright. in your original though, they read as more grey than white.

the crop is a little off for me. I think I would like it better if you lost about half the space between the flower the right edge of the frame to move the flower into more of a thirds position.

i also think your first post (the edited one) gives more life to the sun glow #7707379

Dale Hardin July 05, 2009

Nice patriotic shot Rita. Your treatment has certainly enhanced the image.

If you want to bring out the light of the sun on the flower just a little more and let it stand out, you can try this.

Duplicate the shot and apply a cooling filter from the photo filter adjustment dialog. (the black and white circle above the layers pallet) You will end up with a layer with a white mask box on it. click on the box and then use a black brush to bring back the warm tones to the flower only.

When finished, click on the duplicate layer (layer 1) and then select the levels adjustment. Move the black slider from under the histogram toward the center of the image to somewhere between 50 and 80. since you have created a mask in the previous step this will only effect the background. Adjust to taste.

If you find that the overall image is a little dark, you can flatten what you've done and then duplicate again and use the screen blend with the opacity adjusted from anywhere from 5 up to about 30% to lighten the shot to whatever level you like. #7707390

Dale Hardin July 05, 2009

I agree with Sharon on the crop. Nice catch Sharon, I'd missed that. Try an 8 x 10 format with the right edge almost up to the right most petal. This should create a nice diagonal from the lower left corner by one of the red stripes. #7707401

Ellen H. Robertson level-classic July 05, 2009

I like this shot. Agree the flower in the first is bright. Would like to see the suggestions. #7707571

Michael Kelly level-classic July 05, 2009

Great shot Rita. A real fine tribute to the 4th holiday.

I am so glad Dale is here with his PSE knowledge because this would be a lot different in CS4. I am sure that the suggestions provided will make this shot even stronger. #7707717

Anthony L. Mancuso July 05, 2009

I love the idea and the overall image but agree that it might look better cooler... #7707961

Debbie E. Payne July 05, 2009

Nicely done, and a great idea, Rita! I'd like to see the suggestions but I also like your posted image. #7708508

Aimee C. Eisaman July 06, 2009

Using the flag as a background for this flower is really a neat idea and the two are something very familiar to everyone. I agree that the "whites" are too bright and blown out in areas of your edited version. I say "whites" because they have a pink hue to them instead of being white. I think the suggestions thus far will work wonderfully on this and I will keep posted for changes. :~) #7711451

Rita K. Connell level-classic July 06, 2009

here it goes #7712026

Rita K. Connell level-classic July 06, 2009

here it goes #7712029

Rita K. Connell level-classic July 06, 2009

sorry about that #7712360

Vicki Snow July 06, 2009

I'm late Rita...sorry...really like the new crop!! Great idea with the flag as the bg.. #7712425

Aimee C. Eisaman July 06, 2009

The new crop is great, but the blown out white spots on the petals and the discoloration still bother me. The great thing about something like this is you can try again at a different time of day....morning light would look nice, but not in direct sunlight or your whites will get blown out! :~) #7712698

Jodi M. Walsh July 06, 2009

interesting image, rita. I like the new crop and that the daisy is whiter. I know it can be tough getting whites to look white. I nice image and definitely worth trying in different kinds of lighting. #7712723

Anthony L. Mancuso July 06, 2009

I like the new version Rita, the hot spots in the white don't bother me at all because the center of the flower is the center of attention, I still think the color of the flag could be tweaked a little though.. #7712935

Dale Hardin July 06, 2009

I'm confused Rita. I thought you wanted to keep the warm morning light on the flower so I geared my suggestions to that end. But on this post you've gone to white. Did I miss a step somewhere?

It's an OK way to go of course, but I'm fuddled. (that is a word isn't it?) #7712974

Rita K. Connell level-classic July 07, 2009

Dale you are right, I was so frustrated I gave up instead of asking, after I put the cool filter I couldn't find the black brush you were refering to. to the left I could see the white box but looking at my picture I saw the whole thing. But personally I did want the flower to stay warm like the flag. I am glad you ask, I just need to get over being afraid to ask, its just all of this is so new to me. sorry for the confusing. I am leaving for two days will be back wednesday evening will pick back up on this then. Vicki, Aimee, Jodi, Tony thanks for your input, I just know I took some without the sun on it and they appear to be flat. I hope I unfuddled you Dale because I am the one fuddled. #7713999

Christie R. Bielss July 07, 2009

I'm late on the scene here, as usual these days. I agree with Dale - the white is now too white for the flag, makes the flag look off. Also, with brightening up the white, it seems to make the yellow center look dark and dinghy. I love the crop though. And the creativity of this shot is really terrific! Can't wait to see your redo when you get back! #7715879

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