Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: nma on August 22, 2017, 09:50:55 am

Title: Hawaii state flower
Post by: nma on August 22, 2017, 09:50:55 am
Celebration of the morning light on a hibiscus blossom.
Constructive criticism welcome.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Kauai-favoritesd-2017/i-Jmm78HS/0/5ce31919/L/_1090436-L.jpg)

and a recommended edit
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Gallery/i-X8XMnqD/0/ed7a2ed3/L/_1090438-3-L.jpg)
Title: Re: Hawaii state flower
Post by: brandtb on August 22, 2017, 10:16:22 am
The subject and the colors especially are really interesting. In this really small JPEG it's difficult to know what's happening in the lower left quadrant...in the magenta/greenish areas...i.e. is there color noise there...has an effect like a PS blend mode? One thing I would definitely look at first is pulling up the exposure about .6 -.7 of stop - the image is a bit too dull and dark. When you do this it emphasizes the light coming through the bloom and also the highlighted areas of the stamen/pistil - and the relationship between these and the light source illuminating them. This effect of light seems to me one of the most important things going on in your image. This could also be augmented with local adjustments as well. Lastly, if this is a crop - maybe you a little more room on left side of frame - give the stamen/pistil a little room to breathe...and not so close to frame edge.
Title: Re: Hawaii state flower
Post by: luxborealis on August 22, 2017, 07:38:34 pm
Beautiful colour and very good selective focus.

I agree with brandtb, but the solution may come from using "Auto White Point" if you are using Lightroom; simply hold Shift and double-click on "Whites".

Also, consider cloning out the out-of-focus dark spots.
Title: Re: Hawaii state flower
Post by: nma on August 24, 2017, 02:34:40 pm

I particularly appreciate the helpful comments from  brandtb and Luxborealis. See modified image.