Peggy Nugent  

Spring Dreams in a Snowstorm by Peggy Nugent

January 2025 - Spring Dreams in a Snowstorm

January 2025 - Peggy Nugent

Original

January 2025 - Peggy Nugent

Original 2

January 2025 - Peggy Nugent

Original 3

About the Image(s)

I started with the branch on the sidewalk. The white spots reminded me of snow, so I reversed the image and duplicated it, in lighter color mode, and brushed in more "snow". I added the color layer (an ICM shot) in color mode. The branch wasn't working, so I cloned it out and added the flower in Pin Light mode, then a second layer of the flower in Luminosity mode at 78%. I used a Hue/Saturation layer to shift the background colors.
The image was too vibrant and harsh, with the flower overwhelmed by the background, so I set it aside for quite a while. When I came across it again, I remembered the group's recent suggestions for a radial gradient and changing background contrast and saturation to make the subject stand out. I was working with a stamped layer by this time, so I added the green gradient on a layer in overlay mode and then doing a levels correction. I partially desaturated the background by added a stamped layer in b&w in color mode at 39% and then repeating the flower layer in Pin Light mode. I added a strong white vignette.

8 comments posted

Alan Kaplan   Alan Kaplan
Even if the title did not suggest a dream, the image certainly does. The confluence of your variety of colors is a pastel wonderland and brings a smile to the viewer's face. The impact of these colors mutes the impact of so much white in the image. I wonder if the "dream" would work as well without the "snow." We haven't had a major snowstorm in the northeast U.S. yet, but I'll think of this pastel wonderland when I'm carefully walking in the snow to my car.   Posted: 01/01/2025 15:34:49
Peggy Nugent   Peggy Nugent
Thanks, Alan!
And I guess we've gotten the real snow now, too.   Posted: 01/12/2025 16:25:52
Kirsti Näntö-Salonen   Kirsti Näntö-Salonen
Peggy, thank you for tidings of spring! I think that the pale yellow flower in fairy dust is a marvel of color, texture and blending, and the crop gives it room and air in a beautiful way. - It is lovely as it is, but I wonder what it would look like if it were more immersed in the snowstorm, with maybe a low-opacity layer of some of the textures on top?   Posted: 01/06/2025 11:28:01
Peggy Nugent   Peggy Nugent
Thanks, Kirsti!
That's an interesting suggestion. Here's a first cut at what I think you meant (I'd want to add some snow accumulating on the flower if I continued). I like that it looks more realistic, but I feel I've lost a little of the connection with the flower.   Posted: 01/12/2025 16:37:41
Comment Image
Matt Conti   Matt Conti
Hi Peggy, I really appreciate the color selections that you bring to the group, so pleasing. This image invokes a very positive emotion. It's ironic you are using snow to add those sparks of spring light. I might have placed the flower head a bit higher in the image, but otherwise, it's a joyous creation.   Posted: 01/08/2025 18:00:23
Peggy Nugent   Peggy Nugent
Thanks, Matt!
I understand what you mean about placing the flower higher. I think that would make the flower more prominent and more obviously the subject. The flower is competing with the background here.
For me, the image is actually more about the background, so maybe I should crop a bit from the bottom.   Posted: 01/12/2025 17:12:41
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Bruce Harley   Bruce Harley
My first impression was one of a GREETING CARD or Notelet. One that you would see in a card shop or Hobbycraft place. This image would sell well if used for that.
It tells a story and has artistic appeal.
The jury is out on whether the flower should occupy more space, but then again the story is about the snow falling, the subject therefore is both of them.
I like it, its airy, and colourful.Cheers.   Posted: 01/13/2025 15:44:17
Peggy Nugent   Peggy Nugent
Thanks, Bruce!   Posted: 01/13/2025 22:18:11

 

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