Tom Pickering, APSA  


Pink Unknown by Tom Pickering, APSA

August 2022 - Pink Unknown

About the Image(s)

Specs: Nikon D5000, Nikor 18-200mm, F6.3, 1/60s, ISO 200, Tripod, Natural Light

This was captured in 2013 at a local park that included a conservatory. For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of the flower and cannot find it in searches online. Any help in that regard would be appreciated.

Aside from a sharpening pass in Topaz Sharpen AI and a square crop, this is as it was captured. Suggestions?


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




Fred Giese   Fred Giese
Hi Tom, Pretty Flower. If anything I would sharpen the flower slightly more and blur the leaf a bit. I looked up the plant and I believe it is a Showy Medinilla also known as Pink Lantern.   Posted: 08/01/2022 05:35:46
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
I think you’re right about the name of the plant. I'll look at blurring the leaf more.   Posted: 08/01/2022 09:38:42



Bev Caine   Bev Caine
Tom, I duplicated the layer and brought it into Topaz Studio 2. I sharpened it and them brought it back into Photoshop. I used image, adjustments, vibrance and increased the vibrance and increased the contrast. I then selected the subject and inversed the selection. Went on to the filters in Photoshop and blurred the background a bit to make the flower stand out. What do you think?   Posted: 08/01/2022 09:30:56
Comment Image
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
That does pop the flower more, but I think there’s a bit too much saturation in the flower now. Hmmm...   Posted: 08/01/2022 09:41:00
Bev Caine   Bev Caine
That's just a matter of one stop less or more - personal preference.   Posted: 08/01/2022 11:40:42



Barbara Asacker   Barbara Asacker
(Group 65)
Hi Tom,
Great perspective. The cool pastel colors are calming. Nice job.   Posted: 08/02/2022 09:05:01



Pinaki Sarkar   Pinaki Sarkar
Nice Image. Usually, I (only me) prefer to have images sharp in the fore ground to blurry in the background i.e. merge with the background. In this case a part of the petal tip is not sharp. Excellent Photo though.   Posted: 08/02/2022 14:54:56
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
Agreed. This was a wide-open aperture so not enough DOF. [sigh]   Posted: 08/02/2022 14:59:24



Carol Watson   Carol Watson
(Group 77)
Hi Tom,
I would prefer to have more separation between the flower and the leaf and so I think you you should darken and blur the background to try and give some separation. There are also quite a few blemishes on the flower which I think should be removed.   Posted: 08/05/2022 04:06:14
Comment Image
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
I like your result. Guess I should have spent more time with the image. d;¬{D   Posted: 08/23/2022 11:34:03



Lance Lewin   Lance Lewin
(Groups 83 & 87)
Hi Tom! Overall, I like the depth and feel of the composition ... I feel I can reach out and smell the flower. I also think the low-key or better said, soft appearance in virtue of the muted (true) pink color and light green, is very engaging and relaxing for viewers. Nicely visualized!

Focus: well, it would seem F/6.3 should have helped maintain crystal clarity within a certain area front & back from the point of focus: as such, I suggest the manual focus needed to be more precise. I see this issue come across my desk often due to using auto-focus when shooting floral portraits or any type of still life.   Posted: 08/06/2022 08:04:44
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
Guilty as charged, I’m afraid. d:¬{(   Posted: 08/23/2022 11:35:10