Shot with Sony A7 IV, 70-200 macro lens at 130mm, ISO 500, f8, 1/250 sec.
These two daylilies were cuddled close and seemed to be holding hands the way their petals overlapped. So to me, they were best friends.
In Lightroom Classic I cropped a bit, removed several distracting elements, masked the flowers to increase saturation and detail a bit, then masked the background and darkened to reduce the clutter. Then in Topaz Studio 2 I used a couple of my favorite filters to add a painterly look.
Unfortunately, my computer (iMac) recently popped up a message that with the next system update it won't be able to run Topaz Studio 2. Since I've used that for years I'm very comfortable with how to manipulate the various filters to get the results I like. So now I have to either buckle down and learn Photoshop better to determine how to do creative edits that I would like, or find and learn another application. :(
9 comments posted
Bruce Titus
Denise... This is a great image. I opened it in Photoshop and then used Camera RAW to mask the flowers. I brightened the flowers then increased the clarity and texture to give them a bit more emphasis. Then just a touch of dehaze. I'm a big fan of negative space or "breathing room" around subjects, so I used the generative expand feature to add a bit of room around the flowers. Posted: 08/13/2026 15:00:20
Denise McKay
Thanks for your feedback Bruce! I agree that more breathing room helped this image.
I love showing the unique textures in flowers but I also try not to lose the softness of the petals. But I also like your version as well. It definitely pops. Posted: 08/13/2026 17:05:11
Jan Handman
These two beauties are lovely Denise. Your edits did indeed add good detail but also kept the softness of the petals. They look good on the black background, but for our DD page I'd recommend adding a very fine colored border to show where the image ends. I sympathize with your software predicament! Posted: 08/13/2026 19:55:07
Denise McKay
Thanks Jan! I actually did add a very fine dark green border around the edges, but I think it was too thin and too dark, LOL. It blended too much into the background! Posted: 08/14/2026 13:55:27
Rita Johnston
Denise, the original flowers were beautiful and you improved them with more detail. I like the light black background. I think this would be lovely printed large, at least 11 x 14. Beautiful. Posted: 08/16/2026 17:04:38
Denise McKay
Thanks Rita! Posted: 08/16/2026 17:51:52
Georgianne Giese
Denise, this is lovely. I really like the darkened background. It makes the flowers really pop. It is also a plus to have those water drops on the pedals!
Typically, one should have an odd number of objects in an image, to really make it hit the viewer. But your exception here is quite impressive! Posted: 08/18/2026 14:58:50
Carol Watson
A lovely image, you have managed to capture the lilies at their best. You have brought out detail while retaining softness and darkening the background has removed any distractions. My only suggestion for improvement would be to slightly darken the buds behind the flowers. Posted: 08/19/2026 10:26:25
