Okay, 'groan' re the title. I was trying to think of something to rhyme with chives and, while I'm not of the generation that used that, I've seen enough movies and I'm not that far away from them, I guess, as I'd like to think (so, 'jive' preceded the 60s Baby Boomer generation using the word 'cool').
I'm not sure of the merit of this photo -- I do like it, but mostly I was practicing for the next ETSOOI challenge, using some filters I hadn't used in the past that I think are pretty 'out there.' But, it turns out that I like these weird images. When I showed Jim a few samples to post, he basically chose the least weird (this one) and made clear these aren't his preferences in photography. I may post another one in my other album that is one of the even more abstract ones. I'm curious what people think -- no need to be polite as I really do like it (and feel okay about it being posted) but I have absolutely no feel for how others may see it. I may be spending too much time alone on the island and losing all sense of perspective and taste!
I posted a very different example ( http://365project.org/taffy/the-also-ran-ph/2013-06-18) but with the same types of effort in my extras album (when sunset tonite turned into a disappointment - I want to learn the black card technique that I didn't have time to learn last week for the challenge).
I believe there are two types of art with photography. One is realistic, where things look as they should - processed or not. The other is more contemporary - this falls into that category for me. I do like this especially how it almost looks high key but the color is so vibrant. Nice work.
Lol Taffy, I personally like doing something different. Some people are purists with photos, my husband would be the same. I think you have made this look very vibrant and I really like it.
I like the abstract nature of this and I am particularly curious how you managed to keep that one blossom looking "normal"?? The colors work really well - I like the soft, subtle background colors.
I like it- I do find the background a bit busy and fighting with the flowers- but in an abstract that's not really an issue- so I'd go even further with it just for fun. Nice processing!
@kimshots Thanks Kim. I agree with you in terms of the types of art that photography represents. I didn't do anything beyond SOOC and documentation type shots before 365 and am having so much fun learning new ways of seeing the world!
@elaine55 Thanks Elaine. I think the vibrant colors were part of what drew me to this. And now I've discovered I can't replicate what I did -- I need to write these edits down!
@barbsmith Thanks Barb. Interesting that you noticed the flower in focus -- that was the one flower that was in focus in the original. I'd used a fairly shallow DOF originally and it played out that way in the processing results.
@olivetreeann Thanks Ann. The background was hard to adjust as I don't use LR or PS so can't layer yet. What comprises the background are the individual plants in a large (for me, small on most scales) bed of something wort -- a tall green stalky plant that flowers a pink flower a day for about a month until they've each bloomed and then the whole plant starts to die off. A perennial.
Taffy I love what you have done to the shot! I have the b&w version of this and have discovered I love playing with it. Now I have seen your shots I think I want the colour version too !
@pamknowler Pam, thanks for your supportive view of the image! I love the silver efex program, and the color efex is every bit as interesting to use. They both offer so much! I'm also using the HDR software in this same suite.
@rachelwithey Thanks Rachel -- that's a good way for me to think about it. I like the idea of half-way between realism and total abstract. @annied Thanks Annie -- very reinforcing!
I like the sharp flower, and the area around it. The left side of the picture is a bit too abstract. I would put the flower I like were more in the center and bigger.
@tonygig@38dcmoder@nicoleterheide@amandal@colie@willowdragon@nana2r@kerristephens@danielwsc@anazad511
Thank you all for your comments, reactions, suggestions, and support! I'm laughing, Carren, at your 'editing rehab' as I can imagine myself needing to enter it soon if I don't stop! Daniel, your comment helped me notice the way the level of abstraction varies horizontally so I'll watch for that in the future, as well as positioning the focal item.
@sugarmuser Thanks Sharon! This processing process just keeps reminding me how much I have to learn!
@annied Thanks Annie -- very reinforcing!
Thanks Susale, Janette, and Carol! Your positive response is giving me more confidence to keep experimenting.
Thank you all for your comments, reactions, suggestions, and support! I'm laughing, Carren, at your 'editing rehab' as I can imagine myself needing to enter it soon if I don't stop! Daniel, your comment helped me notice the way the level of abstraction varies horizontally so I'll watch for that in the future, as well as positioning the focal item.