Jim Overfield
October 2025 - Rose
Original
About the Image(s)
While looking for an opportunity to take flower photos at a local garden, I was ready to leave because the mid-day light was bright and intense making it difficult to obtain adequate camera settings. Then I noticed this very small rose hidden in the shade. I was attracted to the shape of the flower’s petals and the very intense yellow/orange/peach colored center.
Minimal global noise and sharpening adjustments in Topaz, one Lightroom mask applied to the green leaves to darken and soften the background. Another mask applied to the rose to slightly lighten and increase vibrance a little. I applied a third narrow oval radial gradient mask starting from the upper left corner to the lower right corner, then subtracted the rose and increased the temperature slightly.
Handheld full frame camera body with 100-400 mm lens @ 400 mm; 1/400 sec; f/10; ISO 1600.
2 comments posted
You've done a great job of cropping your subject, bringing it into focus across the frame.
The sharpness is just right, the textures are clearly visible, and the color reminds me of porcelain.
The light-dark gradient draws the eye to the center, and the blurred background
works wonderfully.
With the light, the rose tells me, "I'm a beauty, but I don't boast about it."
Posted: 10/08/2025 20:09:30