Janet McLaughlin
September 2019 - Swan song
About the Image(s)
I thought the stem looked like a swan’s neck and the flower is beginning to die, so Swan Song seemed appropriate.
I took this picture with a Lensbaby Velvet 85 at F2.8, 1/400 and ISO 640. The Lensbaby is great fun to play with, especially for flowers!
The only thing I did was add a frame in Snapseed.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
Great image, well done. The Lens baby certainly works well with this and concentrates the eye onto the sharpest areas. I also like the way the flower is hanging and you have given it an appropriate title.
I do wonder whether it would be better cropped off the left handside to leave out the other flower as, although out of focus, is a bit distracting? It would also get rid of the strange gray blob near the bottom of the left corner. Posted: 09/02/2019 15:50:34
I do wonder whether it would be better cropped off the left handside to leave out the other flower as, although out of focus, is a bit distracting? It would also get rid of the strange gray blob near the bottom of the left corner. Posted: 09/02/2019 15:50:34
Thank you, Angela! I'm learning to use the Lensbaby and I am enjoying it immensely! I did try cropping in different ways, but kept going back to the original. Posted: 09/08/2019 12:31:54
Janet, a beautiful image, and love the colors. i really like the composition, and the curves, especially on the left side. Posted: 09/06/2019 18:25:36
Thank you, Randall, I'm having great fun with the Lensbaby! Posted: 09/08/2019 12:33:08
I love these shots. Flowers often die so well. Its almost my favorite time to shoot them.
Its a great image Janet. I like how the shadow in the background follows the edge of the petals too. It supports the flower well. Posted: 09/08/2019 10:54:20
Its a great image Janet. I like how the shadow in the background follows the edge of the petals too. It supports the flower well. Posted: 09/08/2019 10:54:20
Thank you, Brent! I am learning to look at the dying flowers as well as the perfect ones! They, too, have a story to tell! Posted: 09/08/2019 12:34:33
Janet, I love this image. I like the curve of the stem that lead up and around and into the petals. I like that you got the front petals in focus. I agree with everyone that the end of a flower's life is not to be ignored! Posted: 09/08/2019 15:52:10
Thank you, Cheryl, the Lensbaby is helping me to see things in a new way! Posted: 09/09/2019 09:33:58
Well, I have no idea what a lensbaby is, but I do know I like this photo. My favorite things about it: the curve of the stem(s) to the left and the way the far petals are outlined underneath by the lighter background. Well done to position the camera just right. I find myself wishing the stem where it joins to the flower (the calyx?) was not quite as blurry but realize it can't be. I like the idea of framing the photo, but sorry to say I dislike this frame because the blobs and "extras" make my eyes go there first, and then continually track back to them rather than stay on the subject. Maybe try a different frame? Posted: 09/24/2019 10:43:50
Thank you, Sandy! I really enjoy the Lensbaby. You can find lots of information about it at Lensbaby.com. Posted: 09/30/2019 10:47:27