Kim Kowalewski
August 2026 - Magnolia
About the Image(s)
I have an obsession with these flowers because they are so beautiful and ephemeral. My wife and I pass the tree where I saw this flower on our daily walk. When the tree is in bloom, my wife very patiently allows me to photograph a flower or two. The day I took this photo, I used a small micro four-thirds camera, which gave me the depth of field that I needed. I changed the image to black and white because these flowers don't have much color and the color that they do have I thought distracted from the overall beauty of the flower. I darkened the surrounding leaves and boosted the exposure of the petals near the center.
6 comments posted
This is a wonderful image of a magnolia! I like your decision to convert it to B&W as it accentuates the subtle shades of gray in the petals. I also like that you left some detail in the darkened background instead of making it pure black. Just a minor suggestion...I would clone out those small dimples in the lower left petal as they are a bit of a distraction. Posted: 08/02/2026 18:44:31
Beautiful image Kim! I love these magnolias with the detailed carpels and stamens and you captured them well. The composition accentuates the lovely curves of the petals. The black and white conversion elevates this image as well.
I believe the "dimples" David sees on the bottom petal are actually water drops that have kind of flattened with the way the light is hitting them. It probably wouldn't hurt to remove them. Also, the center of that same petal seems really bright compared to the others. I wonder if masking and reducing highlights there would improve anything? Posted: 08/04/2026 14:29:44
I believe the "dimples" David sees on the bottom petal are actually water drops that have kind of flattened with the way the light is hitting them. It probably wouldn't hurt to remove them. Also, the center of that same petal seems really bright compared to the others. I wonder if masking and reducing highlights there would improve anything? Posted: 08/04/2026 14:29:44
A great image. Love the image in B&W. Great composition with a nice background. Would not change anything. Wonderful image. Posted: 08/13/2026 22:34:40
A beautiful B&W image with great lighting, which gives a perceived depth to the petals. The darkened background leaves almost look like as a reflection of the flower. Very nice. Posted: 08/20/2026 12:16:03
The background has just enough detail to provide context for this lovely B&W magnolia image. The water droplets in the foreground compete for attention with the nicely focused flower center. Posted: 08/21/2026 16:25:34
Hi Kim,
Magnolias aren't easy to photograph. They only stay in a beautiful shape for a few hours before they start to fade. I really like the B&W conversion and the fact that some detail remains visible in the background. The light is lovely, and there is great detail in the centre of the flower. Posted: 08/21/2026 18:37:56
Magnolias aren't easy to photograph. They only stay in a beautiful shape for a few hours before they start to fade. I really like the B&W conversion and the fact that some detail remains visible in the background. The light is lovely, and there is great detail in the centre of the flower. Posted: 08/21/2026 18:37:56