Brad Becker  


The Return by Brad Becker

October 2020 - The Return

October 2020 - Brad Becker

Original 1

October 2020 - Brad Becker

Original 2

About the Image(s)

I'm pretty happy with this months photo. I took the image of this beautiful sunflower at my wife's flower farm. Since it is her favorite flower I wanted to enhance it some. I added a topaz filter to create some movement and this pulled me in the direction of having something approach the flower. Although a bee would have made sense as the animal pollinating the flower this image was more about a feeling of rekindled love.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
14 comments posted




Henry Roberts   Henry Roberts
(Group 40)
Brad, this is a tremendous image with great movement and composition. I like the sharpness of the yellow petals and the blurry motion of the other petals. Artistically the egret adds another center of interest but to me it doesn't convey a feeling of rekindled love. Great composted image!   Posted: 10/12/2020 09:09:40
Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Henry, Thank you for your kind words. The rekindled love part is more about the feelings that were behind the creation of the photo. I realize it doesn't specifically speak to that in content. I chose the title "return" to signify a coming home of sorts.   Posted: 10/12/2020 18:23:52



 
So interesting!! I love reading the intention behind your creation.
I'm with Henry on not feeling that "rekindled" love but I'm glad it's a motivator!
I think the treatment of the flower with the paint strokes conveys a feeling of tension and the closed, inward pointing petals conveys a closing instead of an invitation. I also think the dark interior is scary, hah hah.
This is really about YOUR feelings and that's what's important. But I did play with it to show you what I think rekindled love might look like from my perspective.   Posted: 10/14/2020 22:10:31
Comment Image
Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Kathy, Thank you for taking the time to share your vision. Always fun seeing what other people do with my photos. It would actually be super fun to give everyone a few of the same images one month and see what creations come from that exercise.   Posted: 10/15/2020 18:14:29
 
I like that idea too Brad! And thanks for being okay with my playing around with your flower.   Posted: 10/15/2020 18:17:07



 
This is so beautiful. I think it would be fun if we all worked on the same photos some month.   Posted: 10/30/2020 11:04:15
Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Maryellen, I am open to trying that at some point, it may be hard to orchestrate. I could definitely announce this option sometime in the coming months and anyone interested could do it. The hard part is choosing which images to work with that everyone would enjoy. Any suggestions?   Posted: 10/30/2020 11:33:39
Lisa Cuchara   Lisa Cuchara
I love the idea, but seems like a separate DD. About 20 years ago from ~2001-2011 we had a group that did just that, we rotated who chose the photos and then we all edited it. We learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Brad, if you want to submit the suggestion to Barbara for another group I would be IN   Posted: 10/31/2020 14:15:18
Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Thanks Lisa. I will reach out to Barbara to see what is possible.   Posted: 10/31/2020 19:27:00



Lisa Cuchara   Lisa Cuchara
I love the effect on the sunflower! Th image is powerful

topaz studio or a topaz plugin?
Which Topaz filter? There are so many!

However, I am with Kathy and Henry on not feeling that "rekindled" love, sorry.   Posted: 10/31/2020 14:13:33
Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Thanks Lisa. I'm sorry I don't keep track of which filters I use as I often add a few and erase away stuff and then adjust with add layer adjustments. One day I'd like to do a video of the creative process showing the transformation of the image over time. (Do you happen to know a program that allows for that?). I can say it was in Topaz studios 2   Posted: 10/31/2020 19:26:40
Lisa Cuchara   Lisa Cuchara
Yes, there are several pieces of software that capture what is on the screen, including Zoom.

I used to use Techsmith Relay (called Camatasia before that) and now I use Apowersoft.

You can also just take snapshots along the way and then, in Photoshop, do frame animation, but that is more to show the progression, not to teach.   Posted: 10/31/2020 20:20:44



Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Thanks, I knew I asked the right person!   Posted: 10/31/2020 21:33:50



 
Brad, sorry to be so late on commenting! I really think this is one of your best composites I've seen so far. Well done on many levels: colors, artistic effects, technically, and simplicity in design. Your image translates more to me of new discoveries... finding new worlds. Very nice!!

Oh, and I love the idea of everyone working on the same photo!   Posted: 10/31/2020 22:07:54