Kathryn Delany, QPSA  

Moth Orchid by Kathryn Delany, QPSA

March 2023 - Moth Orchid

March 2023 - Kathryn Delany, QPSA

Original

March 2023 - Kathryn Delany, QPSA

Original 2

March 2023 - Kathryn Delany, QPSA

Original 3

About the Image(s)

Shot with SonyA1, 90mm Lens, ISO250, 1/80s, f/5, +0.7 exposure comp
My goal was to shoot at a shallow depth of field with soft edges and a nice creamy background. I tried to pay attention to the colours in the background. There are therefore some areas in focus and a lot of soft edges. Overall I noticed that the image was a bit ’soft’ itself. So I ran it through Topaz Sharpen and applied a mask to the areas I wanted to sharpen.

The out of camera image is a lot wider than it is tall - similar to a 16:9 ratio - so to satisfy my local club image sizes I needed to add some real estate. I added space at the bottom of the image to give more room to the composition. Now I am not sure if I should have kept the out of camera dimensions - I kind of like the extra space.
I have tried to keep this simple. I have done some selective sharpening on key focal areas. I did make a mask and blur the background a bit for a smoother creamy look. In example 2 I added a border and a texture (texture1) of tree bark, that I had created with my iPhone and a double exposure. Then added a color gradient, because, for fun. And maybe add more interest and a creative finish.

Enjoy.

Kathryn

10 comments posted

Bob Legg   Bob Legg
Kathryn, you have again shown our group how a single image can be edited, enhanced, and composited with a perfectly matched background to make a fine art print suitable for an awaiting wall. Well done.   Posted: 03/08/2023 17:04:21
Kathryn Delany
Thank you Bob that is very complimentary.   Posted: 03/10/2023 18:52:27
Nadia Trevan   Nadia Trevan
Hi Kathryn, beautiful image and you've done an excellent job in blending the elements together. I like the very fine "frame" around it, it sets if off. Well done.   Posted: 03/12/2023 04:29:39
Kathryn Delany
Thank you Nadia.   Posted: 03/17/2023 13:50:20
Doug Wolters   Doug Wolters
Nice orchid shot. For my tastes, there is too much empty space in the lower part of the image. Also, I darkened the the underside of a petal in the right half, and applied an inverted gradial filter to everything but the featureed orchid & darkened it a bit.   Posted: 03/13/2023 15:01:48
Comment Image
Kathryn Delany
Doug thanks for showing me how to take this further. i quite like your edits. I love how this forum allows us to explore different solutions.   Posted: 03/17/2023 13:51:55
Jacob Wat   Jacob Wat
This is a lovely photo. I think the editing was done very well. Personally I think that you have a good amount of space and so would not crop it. I do think darkening the image may help make the petals stand out more.   Posted: 03/17/2023 00:19:46
Kathryn Delany
Jacob thank for the input. I will try the suggestions to darken sections to pop the flower. I think it helps.   Posted: 03/17/2023 13:51:00
Rich James   Rich James
Kathryn, I love how you use textures with some of your flowers, adds a nice dimension. The colors are beautiful and peaceful and the flower gorgeous. For me, though, there's a bit too much going on around the main subject. My eye is not settling on what I think is your focus. Perhaps that's because my eye keeps drifting to the empty space. Just my thinking and maybe bad eyes. As usual, you do beautiful work.   Posted: 03/19/2023 21:08:14
Kathryn Delany
Rich thank you very much. My initial thought from the original was it needed more space below, and I posed the question here. Some say it is good as is with added space and some dont like that extra space. I am thinking that somewhere between the two may be necessary. I hear you that your eyes drift to the empty space.   Posted: 03/20/2023 11:15:32

 

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