Karen Botvin
November 2024 - Lotus Flower
About the Image(s)
This lotus flower was made a few years ago so I really don’t have much in the way of meta-data. I found in my archives and decided to add a bit of Topaz Studio magic to it. I love to use the smudge filter in Topaz when I want my flowers to have a bit of waviness to them. When looking at this flower recently, I noticed that the top of the bulb was not as sharp as I would have liked as the orange strands below seemed to be sharper. I decided that the flower needed a bit of smudge to give it a more painterly look. I love how the flower seems to be enveloped among the velvety green leaves of the Lotus plant. What are your thoughts?
7 comments posted
Karen - this is a beautiful capture. The flower is nice, but I think the pads around the flower are a strong part of the power of this images. They give the viewer's eye a rest. My eyes go back and forth between the lovely bloom and the wonderful shades of green. I was curious if you tried a tiny bit of the 'smart sharpen' filterin Photoshop - but only selectively on the flower. I tried that, and I think it heped on the bulb. Posted: 11/03/2024 20:33:46
Thank you, Melissa. I love the greens as well. No, I did not try the smart sharpen filter in PS. I chose to go the other way with the smudge tool in Topaz and I really like how it softened the greens. Posted: 11/04/2024 12:36:52
Hi Karen: All I can say is WOW...WOW...WOW. I'm trying to find something to critique. I had to look really hard. The only thing that pulls my eye away from the beauty of the lotus flower are 2 small reflections in the lower right corner of the image in the dark water area. This image is wonderful. I wish it was mine. Posted: 11/05/2024 17:36:41
Thanks so much, Lori! I looked at those tiny pieces in the water, but decided to keep them as there were others on the leaf above to the right. I'll look at it again. Posted: 11/07/2024 14:42:53
Hi Karen,
What a beauty of a lotus bloom among the lush green pads. I find the waviness of the lotus lovely. I agree with you that the top of the bulb should ideally be in sharper focus, but the painterly feel of the image is lovely to me. Posted: 11/14/2024 01:42:04
What a beauty of a lotus bloom among the lush green pads. I find the waviness of the lotus lovely. I agree with you that the top of the bulb should ideally be in sharper focus, but the painterly feel of the image is lovely to me. Posted: 11/14/2024 01:42:04
Thanks so much, Charissa! Posted: 11/16/2024 22:39:59
I love what you have done with this image. I must admit, I am not familiar with Topaz. The description of your enhancements sound very interesting. No doubt your original image was stunning to begin with. I would like to see what you started with and how the image progressed. I like the contrast between the lotus bloom and the green pads. The shadows add to the mystique of the overall image. Your use of the "smudge" introduces an wispiness to the image. Very nice image, strong and well planned. Posted: 11/20/2024 05:14:10