Yikes....here it is:)

[idnurse41]

Ok so I see all of your fantastic photos, and get really nervous about posting mine here-but here they are. Good, bad-indifferent-I need to learn from each of you:) Thanks for any input! Shot on Pipeline between Super-Target and Sonic-vacant building in between.

[Jake]

That first shot is great!

[Noel Hankamer]

Very nice shots!

[idnurse41]

Thank you very much guys! Jake and Noel-I appreciate feedback:)

[brad]

I like the first one, but it might be a little bright on the top side of the image... a burn brush might help that situation a little.

The second one has great potential... just needs a little more punch.. maybe a crop.. contrast boost, perhaps... here's a 30 second play with it that I just did....

Created three duplicate layers of the original... set the top one to a blend mode of "Burn" and set the opacity at 50% .. set the middle one to a blend mode of "hard light" and opacity 100% .. set the third one to "soft light" and 50% opacity.. and left the original alone..

Cropped in.. and burned the corners and edges (everything that wasn't the primary flower) with the burn brush.

[idnurse41]

Originally Posted by brad

I like the first one, but it might be a little bright on the top side of the image... a burn brush might help that situation a little.

The second one has great potential... just needs a little more punch.. maybe a crop.. contrast boost, perhaps... here's a 30 second play with it that I just did....

Created three duplicate layers of the original... set the top one to a blend mode of "Burn" and set the opacity at 50% .. set the middle one to a blend mode of "hard light" and opacity 100% .. set the third one to "soft light" and 50% opacity.. and left the original alone..

Cropped in.. and burned the corners and edges (everything that wasn't the primary flower) with the burn brush.

Holy cow that looks awesome! I'm a little leary to edit too much just yet. Thanks Brad-It looks much better with what you did.
Pam

[brad]

Originally Posted by idnurse41

Holy cow that looks awesome! I'm a little leary to edit too much just yet. Thanks Brad-It looks much better with what you did.
Pam

Editing starts with a good photo.. and you did good with it.. sharp focus, good DOF, reasonably close exposure to what you wanted... don't be afraid to edit to your heart's content.. especially with nature photos that will be truly art. Editing people is one thing, but you can get away with all kinds of things with landscapes, plants, and animals.

[idnurse41]

Originally Posted by brad

Editing starts with a good photo.. and you did good with it.. sharp focus, good DOF, reasonably close exposure to what you wanted... don't be afraid to edit to your heart's content.. especially with nature photos that will be truly art. Editing people is one thing, but you can get away with all kinds of things with landscapes, plants, and animals.

Thanks again Brad-your work is phenomenal! I'm aspiring to do alot of different things such as what I've seen on here. I appreciate the critique and encouragement. I use picassa and gimp-but not sure exactlly what I'm doing.
Storms are headed our way here. Everyone be safe:)
Pam

[brad]

Thanks.. I'm a rank amateur in Photoshop compared to some of the folks around here.... (and I don't even use Photoshop.. I'm still satisfied with Paint Shop Pro)

I think GIMP can do the steps I mentioned... look at Layers and blend modes and play with them.

[idnurse41]

Paint Pro is from Corel, right? I did their 30 day trial and figured I would do better if I learn more of the basics of photography. Not sure how many times I could kick my own butt for not framing something right-over-exposed, etc. etc.
Thanks for not laughing me out of the forum when I mentioned those processing tools. lol
Pam

[brad]

Its Corel now.. I have the last version from the original maker, Jasc

And its not the tools.. its what you do with them. You'll be fine.

[gardener]

Actually, I'm pretty fond of #2 just as it stands although it might use a little more contrast in the mid tone areas.
First to admit that I'm not the artist or photo mechanic that many of the members here are but I do like to see nature photos that are as close to real life as possible. The original and natural flower colors on #2 are almost there to start with and the focus is spot on so you're ahead of the game.
Good show!

[kenmyers70]

Brad, You're really great a post processing. You must have a really nice version of Photoshop.

-Another PSP user.

[idnurse41]

Originally Posted by gardener

Actually, I'm pretty fond of #2 just as it stands although it might use a little more contrast in the mid tone areas.
First to admit that I'm not the artist or photo mechanic that many of the members here are but I do like to see nature photos that are as close to real life as possible. The original and natural flower colors on #2 are almost there to start with and the focus is spot on so you're ahead of the game.
Good show!

Hi Steve thanks so much! Really appreciate the comment here. I love nature photography and hope that will be my forte'. Have a great day:)
Pam

[ahightower]

Personally I like them both just as you took them. The second one looks very natural and delicate. No offense to Brad, that is a cool effect you acheived. But speaking for myself, I think you did a great job, Pamela!