Donna Sturla
August 2026 - Orchids
About the Image(s)
Hello, Group 62! I am relatively new to Black and White Photography and would like to improve - so I appreciate any feedback you can give.
I recently purchased the NIK collection and have no idea how to use it --yet.
This picture was taken a few years ago when I was taking a macro class online. I love orchids and unfortunately have failed to keep them healthy and alive.
I took this image with my Nikon D7500 and a Nikon 105 mm macro lens; I had a black cloth background behind. I shot it at ISO 200, F 5, at 1250 second. The lighting was from my window. It was shot in color.
I did not like the Black and White presets in Lightroom so I took this image into Photoshop, then took it into Topaz Black and White. I didn't do much in Topaz so took it back into Photoshop where I removed some distractions and "cleaned up" the petals. I did an adjustment Curve to lower the highlights a bit and add a tiny more in the blacks. I darkened the stem as I thought it stood out too much.
I love photographing flowers so I hope you enjoy this image. Please do critique !
13 comments posted
Welcome Donna
Orchids are such a great subject color or BW.
My thought here is bring the exposure down just a bit to bring out a bit more texture in the petals. This is an artist choice naturally but that is where I would go.
I use the NIK presets always. I like the detail extractor in Color Efex and at times reduce the opacity slider at the bottom if the effect is a bit strong. I use Silver Efex to start my BW images and then I do the tuning in Lightroom
I think you will do great here and look forward to Sept
Regards
Emil Posted: 08/06/2026 19:21:46
Orchids are such a great subject color or BW.
My thought here is bring the exposure down just a bit to bring out a bit more texture in the petals. This is an artist choice naturally but that is where I would go.
I use the NIK presets always. I like the detail extractor in Color Efex and at times reduce the opacity slider at the bottom if the effect is a bit strong. I use Silver Efex to start my BW images and then I do the tuning in Lightroom
I think you will do great here and look forward to Sept
Regards
Emil Posted: 08/06/2026 19:21:46
Yes, I think it was too bright. I did lower highlights but will work on it some more.
Thank you for your suggestions, much appreciated.
Donna Posted: 08/09/2026 22:03:47
Thank you for your suggestions, much appreciated.
Donna Posted: 08/09/2026 22:03:47
Hi Donna, warm welcome to the group. Looking forward to the pictures. I am aware that most members of this group use Nik. I however am perfectly happy with Lightroom. After conversion to BW I improve the dynamics by decreasing lights and black and increasing shadows, white and contrast, then I play a bit around with texture, clarity and dehaze. Finally I go through all the colors in the color mixer. Afterwards I do adjustments to particular parts. This is a reasonably fast process and typically results in very satisfying outcomes.
I like your picture a lot, it looks like the petals are flowing. Personally I would completely remove the stem. Looking forward to the next round!. BR, A
Posted: 08/12/2026 13:40:47
I like your picture a lot, it looks like the petals are flowing. Personally I would completely remove the stem. Looking forward to the next round!. BR, A
Posted: 08/12/2026 13:40:47
Yes, I should have removed the stem, it's a distraction.
Thank you ! Posted: 08/22/2026 20:26:59
Thank you ! Posted: 08/22/2026 20:26:59
Donna - welcome to the group and I look forward to seeing your B&W images.
Interestingly I recently abandoned LR and PS and went with DXO Photolab ( mainly because LR was crashing probably due to the AI bloat and I did not want to have to upgrade my PC). I do the B&W conversion in DXO and sometimes use Nik. As you may know Nik simulates different B&W film stocks - I had a judge once remark on one of my pictures that I should have removed the noise - of course it was not noise but grain introduced by using that film stock.
Congratulations on your first submission - great composition and treatment.
Cheers
Mike Posted: 08/13/2026 02:09:46
Interestingly I recently abandoned LR and PS and went with DXO Photolab ( mainly because LR was crashing probably due to the AI bloat and I did not want to have to upgrade my PC). I do the B&W conversion in DXO and sometimes use Nik. As you may know Nik simulates different B&W film stocks - I had a judge once remark on one of my pictures that I should have removed the noise - of course it was not noise but grain introduced by using that film stock.
Congratulations on your first submission - great composition and treatment.
Cheers
Mike Posted: 08/13/2026 02:09:46
Thank you so much. I have much to learn! Posted: 08/22/2026 20:26:06
Donna, it's a wonderful "first" image for the group. I love the position of the orchids. They have a "drooping" shape that ties them together. Very nicely seen. As Emil mentioned, it might be helpful to SLIGHTLY reduce the brightness.
My processing is typically done in Photoshop and Camera Raw with Topaz Denoise and Sharpen at the end. I don't think the various editing products are vastly different in their capabilities... to me it's simply a matter of one's personal preferences and workflow.
Posted: 08/18/2026 22:53:21
My processing is typically done in Photoshop and Camera Raw with Topaz Denoise and Sharpen at the end. I don't think the various editing products are vastly different in their capabilities... to me it's simply a matter of one's personal preferences and workflow.
Posted: 08/18/2026 22:53:21
Okay, I will do that, and see how it goes. Thank you for your ideas, I appreciate all!
Posted: 08/22/2026 20:25:22
Posted: 08/22/2026 20:25:22
Donna, welcome to the group. I've found it very helpful in expanding the way I see and process my images.
You captured a very nice image of the orchid, and I like the processing you used. The one aspect I might improve is guiding the viewer's eye toward a particular part of the flower. I might leave a little more space on the left so the viewer begins there and then moves naturally toward the right.
As for the tools I use to process my images, I often switch between Lightroom Classic and Nik Silver Efex. I also picked up a tip from Emil: using the Detail Extractor in Color Efex can create some interesting effects in an image. Posted: 08/22/2026 12:30:38
You captured a very nice image of the orchid, and I like the processing you used. The one aspect I might improve is guiding the viewer's eye toward a particular part of the flower. I might leave a little more space on the left so the viewer begins there and then moves naturally toward the right.
As for the tools I use to process my images, I often switch between Lightroom Classic and Nik Silver Efex. I also picked up a tip from Emil: using the Detail Extractor in Color Efex can create some interesting effects in an image. Posted: 08/22/2026 12:30:38
Oh, my, now you've challenged me to learn how to use Nik and Color Efex - Detail Extractor? I don't even know what that is, lol. Thank you for your detailed critique, I appreciate it !
I will go on Youtube and try to figure out how Nik works.
I do use LRC and PS but have Nik, just haven't learned it yet.
Posted: 08/22/2026 20:24:19
I will go on Youtube and try to figure out how Nik works.
I do use LRC and PS but have Nik, just haven't learned it yet.
Posted: 08/22/2026 20:24:19
I am sure there are a ton of YouTubers with videos for Nik. Though I like how David Kelly goes through each filter and shows you how each adjustment works. Here is a link to the Color Efex videos from David Kelly - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRE7yCl-SQfQdmlCXWc8sLjj7uVUiIUy9&si=_1n3Lx3zDV9-MD7z Posted: 08/25/2026 01:02:13
Hi Donna,
Greetings my friend.
Welcome again to our closely-nit study group. For a relatively new in monochrome; I think you did a very good job on the orchid. Orchid, as a flower; is also one of my favorite subject. But as also, tweaked by our friend Emil, your current edition looks even better. Thank you for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal. Posted: 08/23/2026 13:44:04
Greetings my friend.
Welcome again to our closely-nit study group. For a relatively new in monochrome; I think you did a very good job on the orchid. Orchid, as a flower; is also one of my favorite subject. But as also, tweaked by our friend Emil, your current edition looks even better. Thank you for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal. Posted: 08/23/2026 13:44:04
Thank you, Kamal ! Posted: 08/25/2026 01:04:19