Janet Pinkston
July 2026 - The Balanced Bloom.
About the Image(s)
Nikon D300, 70-300 lens, 1/1000 sec, f/5, ISO 250. I darkened the top part of the background to focus the eye on the beautiful flowers. Basically, a portrait of two lotus blossoms, emphasizing their color, texture, and pleasing lines. A little editing was done in Photoshop with the mixer brush to touch up some of the lower green leaves.
9 comments posted
Welcome to our group, Janet! Your image to two lotus blossoms is exquisite and quite unique. I like how you captured the two backlit blossoms, one above the other, with a black background, and with such beautiful lighting! I assume these were shot outdoors and not in a studio. Correct? I only wish the image was larger so I can study and appreciate them better. Posted: 07/01/2026 19:40:08
Hi David, thanks for your thoughtfull comments. Yes I took this at Kenilworth Gardens in Washington DC. Posted: 07/02/2026 14:20:41
Welcome Janet! This is a gorgeous image. The lighting is beautiful and I really like the composition and how you captured two different colors. Like David, I really wish this were bigger because when I increase the size of my screen to try to see more I feel it degrades the quality of the image.
Well done! Posted: 07/03/2026 20:18:37
Well done! Posted: 07/03/2026 20:18:37
Hi Denise, thanks for your kind comments. I think I may be somewhat confused about sizing the images for submission. I was trying to resize it to be under 1mb. Next time, I'll send a bigger file. Posted: 07/09/2026 19:51:25
Hi Janet, your file size for uploading does need to be under 1Mb, but the dimensions of your image can be larger. I guess it depends on what application you're using from which you save your files. When I export and save mine from Lightroom Classic it allows me to input the image dimensions as well as the file size. So it will restrict the file size for uploading but display the image when opened based on the dimensions I selected. Posted: 07/10/2026 13:52:43
Janet, nice to have you in the group. I agree with above comments on the unique composition of the flowers, one above the other. The placement draws the eye (at least for me) up from the bottom to second lotus flower. The lavender/red in the top flower compliments the whites and green below. One suggestion: the bottom petal and part of the stem is dark which may draw attention from the rest of the photo. If possible, maybe lighten this area some. Can you describe the lighting used? Hard to critique further because of size. Again, very nice and welcome! Posted: 07/07/2026 19:14:44
Hi Mark, I agree that the dark lower area detracts from the overall image. Part of my problem is that this image was taking some time ago and I have forgotten many of the important details. It was natural light, I darkened the background quite a bit to highlight the blossoms. Posted: 07/09/2026 19:55:38
Beautiful image with great colors and great soft lighting. Like the others I wish the flowers `were larger (close to the camera). I would guess a long lens was used for this shot then a crop to make a close-up. At this garden did they use black dye in the water? That's what they do at Longwood Gardens. Posted: 07/09/2026 01:01:55
Hi Dick, I used a 70-300 lens at 240mm. I don't recall black dye in the water. Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad to be in this group! Posted: 07/09/2026 19:57:45