Brad Becker  


Stillness by Brad Becker

May 2022 - Stillness

May 2022 - Brad Becker

Original

May 2022 - Brad Becker

Original 2

About the Image(s)

This is a simple two image composite. I started with the flower image and put it through a variety of textural changes in topaz and then adjusted the color range. I chose the owl to perch on the flower based on the feeling it evoked. No fancy technique in this one.


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




Tom Kredo   Tom Kredo
Hi Brad,
I like the atmosphere of the image with the blue tones. I'd apply the same color scheme to the bird as well which would blend better. Also add some blur to the bird to match the softness of the flower?   Posted: 05/06/2022 07:49:45



Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Tom, One thing I'd like to promote on site 41 is more "dialogue". I appreciate your engagement and would like your permission to respond to your comments and request additional feedback both to share my perspective and learn more from you.

I intentionally chose a contrasting color scheme to highlight the owl. If I were to make it tonally blue I think it would make the image more dull. Likewise I did add a gausian blur behind the bird to match the fuzziness of the distant petals that were blurry while keeping the bird sharp to match the sharp petals more in the front of the image. Again, blurring the bird would make it less clearly a focal point. This, in the end, may be personal preference, but I wanted to challenge you along these lines to get your thoughts.   Posted: 05/06/2022 16:03:32
Tom Kredo   Tom Kredo
Brad, sorry I didn't see your response earlier. The front of the bird would have some blue because of reflection from the flower. So I would maybe add this color and use a gradient on the bird to blend it. I think the bird on the third (ha) works to create a focal point so I don't think the additional sharpness adds any more to the focal point. I think it is obvious anyway.   Posted: 05/31/2022 07:39:52
Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Tom, Thank you for these additional suggestions, very helpful. I appreciate your attention to these details.   Posted: 05/31/2022 12:39:20



Nadia Trevan   Nadia Trevan
Hi Brad,
I like your concept where you use flowers to tell a story. We all see different things when it comes to evaluating an image. I prefer to discuss technique rather than concept. My personal opinion is about where you placed the owl in relation to the main flower. The owl is sharp but it sits on the soft part of the petals. It might be better if it was moved to be on the same focal plane, that is if it was more on the foreground where the sharp petals are. Make the owl just a fraction larger to give it more dominance. I like the tones, much nicer than the orange.
  Posted: 05/07/2022 05:47:04
Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Nadia, Yes, I respect different people's focus. I used to be very much interested in technique, lately concepts are what drive me. I do try to honor some degree of realism, i.e. make the image fit with the fantasy I construct. I chose to position the bird to the right as it felt more balanced to me. I will definitely play around some with placement and size to see if I can sell it even better.   Posted: 05/25/2022 10:33:07



Lisa Cuchara   Lisa Cuchara
The flowers help to create a story. The colors are opposite ends of the color wheel which adds impact. Perhaps add the texture to the top to tie the owl into the scene more. This is an interesting juxtaposition, not sure about the proportion, that would be one very large flower, and the owl has a halo around it.   Posted: 05/25/2022 00:08:37
Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Lisa, i'm not sure about the proportions either. I've experimented with smaller and larger owl. Bending the rules on owls and flowers so I'm just trying to find the sweet spot. The halo was a blurry drop shaddow I added to try and mirror the blurring I saw on some of the petals. I will do some experimenting to see if Ican use texture to tie the owl to the scene as I agree it is a bit too crisp.   Posted: 05/25/2022 10:53:32