How I decided to post this shot:
1. I've had fireworks on my mind since Saturday's photo walk and the chance to watch the Navy Pier fireworks.
2. I cleaned up one of the shots I had taken of the fireworks with plans to post it tonight.
3. Before posting, decided to download photos I had taken this morning.
4. Liked one of the photos of a giant purple iris, taken about 10:00 a.m.
5. Thought of creating an 'in memoriam' image since by noon, the winds picked up so much that the poor things stems are bent to the point of no return.
6. Start thinking about the loss of four beautiful flowers and about 12 buds (side question to flower experts: if I cut them, will they bloom inside?).
7. Decide to move on and let it go, as the shot itself was only okay.
8. Started noticing how much some of the shots I had taken (of a pine tree of some sort), looked like the spray of fireworks.
9. Decide that with a little processing, I might be able to convey what I was imagining to others.
10. Process three shots with various filters from Color Efex Pro (and try one monochrome version but that didn't come out the way I'd hoped)
11. Narrow down to two that I like and think might work.
11. Make my choice.
12. Write how I got there because a year from now, I'm sure I'll look at the image and the title and wonder what in the world I was thinking.
Beautiful shot and definitely reminiscent of fireworks. Love the speckled pink centers and the spray of green. Very lovely! What filter did you settle on for this? By the way, I enjoyed your thought process list. I think we all go through this evolution of decision making without even realizing it. It's fun to read another photographer's process.
Thanks Lisa. I'm reconstructing as I didn't write down which filters I used and I messed around so much that now I can't remember for sure. I think that I started with detail extractor, then added the warmth/brilliance, and last I think I did brighten center or brighten edges -- I can't remember which way it went but am pretty sure I used that filter. I may be mixing it up a little with the other photo I was playing with. How do you keep track of the filters you use in a photo? I'm finding it's a pain to write it down and if I don't I haven't figured out how to reconstruct it.
@foxsparrow Thanks Ann -- that's so great to hear! I suspect you've had the same feeling of wondering if the image you have in your head is going to 'work' for others. So I appreciate your comment!
Hilarious work in progress narrative. My process is not nearly as impressive, but I do find myself meandering down many paths to get to the one. Tonight --not so much.
This is just beautiful, and it does bring to mind fireworks!! So you obviously took the right turns to get to "the one"!!
This is just beautiful, and it does bring to mind fireworks!! So you obviously took the right turns to get to "the one"!!