Emerging [Monthly Theme]
Uploaded: September 16, 2007 20:36:09
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 September 16, 2007
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
#739943
Nikki McDonald September 16, 2007
Mitch SpenceChristopher 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
#4800604
Nikki McDonald September 16, 2007
Jamie ThomasColleen 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
#4800607
Carol Teal September 16, 2007
I don't have them to compare Nikki, but it is still just gorgeous! #4800928MELODIE C. ROBERTS September 17, 2007
I thought this looked familiar.....Cheryl E. Davis September 17, 2007
Just beautiful! Love the blur effects you used and this works very nicely for the MT! Well done! #4802621Sam Britt September 17, 2007
Beautiful color, lighting & effects, Nikki. Terrific theme entry. #4802662Cheryl E. Molennor September 17, 2007
Awesome #4802857Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna September 17, 2007
And it's STILL awesome, Nikki!!!!!! love Love LOVE it!!!!!! ♫ k #4803718Donna La Mattino Pagakis September 17, 2007
Beautiful flowers, colors and blur! #4803881Laurie Daily September 17, 2007
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! #4804590Nikki McDonald September 17, 2007
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 :) #4804620Sandra R. Alvey September 17, 2007
Awesome Nikki!! This is just fantastic effects and look at that vibrant color! Splendid!Sandi #4805082
Lisa J. Boulden September 17, 2007
This is really beautiful, Nikki!Steven E. Ray September 17, 2007
Oh yeah... this is a great use of the focus filter. Your alignment is just right and works wonderfully! #4805435Nancy (Peaches) Harker September 18, 2007
Niki, all I can say is AWSOME JOB girl, just beautiful! #4806324Ross Throndson September 18, 2007
Gorgeous Work, Nikki....Like the Color & the Blur.....Beautiful Image!! #4806342Steve M. Harrington September 18, 2007
Yes! Saturation! :) This is truly lovely, Nikki. I think you will get more than an EP on this fine work.Dianna Hauf September 18, 2007
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! #4809753Michelle L. Frick October 24, 2007
Congratulations on your beautiful finalist Nikki!! Way to go!! #4974202Su Sana E. P October 24, 2007
Congratulations on this beautiful Finalist, Nikki!! #4974270Jeana Clark October 24, 2007
~J~ #4974438
John Caruso October 24, 2007
Congrats on your well deserved finalist for this one Nikki! #4974594Susan M. Hembree October 24, 2007
Congratulations, Nikki, on your finalist! #4974756MELODIE C. ROBERTS October 24, 2007
YEA NIKKI !!!!!! #4975083Carol Teal October 24, 2007
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! #4975359Steve M. Harrington October 24, 2007
I called this one right, huh? Good on you, Nikki! :)Marta J. Baldwin October 24, 2007
Congratulations on this beautiful finalist Nikki! #4975996Les Rhoades October 24, 2007
Nikki, Congratulations on your finalist!Ron Roberts October 25, 2007
CONGRATS NIKKI ON YOUR FINALIST BEST OF LUCK IN THE NEXT ROUND MY GUESS IS WINNER...RON... #4976471Katarina Mansson October 25, 2007
Congrats Nikki and good luck in the next round! #4976938Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna October 25, 2007
WAY TO GO NIKKI!!!!! Congratulations on this beauty!!!!! ♫ k #4978745Dianna Hauf October 25, 2007
WAY to go, NIKKI!!!! Super heart-felt congratulations!!! #4978899Sylvia Rossler October 25, 2007
Big congrats on your wonderful finalist Nikki :O) #4980073Mitch Spence October 25, 2007
Nikki, this is such a superior, delightful, creative, and engaging shot. I am so very happy to find it among the finalists. #4980244Colleen Farrell October 25, 2007
WTG, Nikki! So happy your fave made it to the finalists--it's very well-deserved. Congratulations, and good luck in the next round! #4980680Girish Vaghela October 25, 2007
Winner's image, congratulations!!! #4980723Shelly A. Van Camp October 25, 2007
A beauty....Congrats! #4980802Amalia Sylvia Arriaga Salinas October 25, 2007
Congratulations on your beautiful finalist Nikki!,Stefania Barbier October 25, 2007
stunning finalist Nikki.... big congrats and good luck on the next round!!! #4981539Laurie Daily October 25, 2007
Beautiful Nikki! Congratulations!!!! #4981594Susan Fox October 25, 2007
Fantastic work Nikki! Congratulations! #4982569JO ANN CLEVELAND October 25, 2007
Congratulations on your finalist!
jo ann c. #4982982
Linda D. Lester October 26, 2007
Beautiful...Congratulations! #4986043DiAnna F. Paulk October 26, 2007
Beautiful colors and composition, Nikki, and just the right touch of blur! Congratulations! #4986791Pat Gamwell October 26, 2007
Wonderful shot..a well deserved finalist, Nikki! Congrats! #4987846Cassie L. Woodlee October 27, 2007
Congratulations, Nikki!!!!! #4990406Robert Baer October 28, 2007
nikkiJO ANN CLEVELAND January 21, 2008
Ohhhh, I just love this! Congrats on this fantastic image!jo ann c. #5374322
AEK October 08, 2009
congratulations, nikki, on this creative and beautiful piece of art. thanks for sharing the way you crafted the background. I appreciate it (although i'm sure I couldn't create it!) wonderful -Merna L. Nobile April 21, 2010
Hi Nikki: Thank you for taking the time to comment on my image "Best of Show." Your gallery is full of very beautiful photos. Very nice work!Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.
BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.
Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.
The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:
I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.
You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.
Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Nikki McDonald.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Contact photographer via gallery
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.
I already have an account!