Jean Wu
July 2026 - Agapanthus (African Lily, Lily of the Nile)
Original
About the Image(s)
This month, I share an older photo I took with an iPhone 4 (I know, it’s been ages!!) in JPEG format. Post-processing with PS and NIK Silver Efex.
I hope the transformation I did made this not-so-striking roadside plant more interesting. The presented version is based on the original, which isn’t high-resolution, so it won’t look sharp when enlarged.
13 comments posted
Jean, its a pretty nice roadside flower! Your monochrome image seems a little flat to me. I used your original, chose Auto as a start, dropped the highlights to get some detail. Then I used Lightroom Preset BW 12 since anyone with Camera Raw or Lightroom Classic would have it. I don't think it's perfect, but just giving you an alternative look with more contrast. Posted: 07/03/2026 23:52:01
Posted: 07/03/2026 23:54:54
Thanks for your comment and revision. Very nice!! Posted: 07/05/2026 15:52:35
Jean - I like the original better as the whites seem brighter. Not sure if a a global or local brightening would help. I do like the perspective as bot draw me into the center of the flower. Have you thought about upping the clarity of the BnW? Posted: 07/04/2026 16:02:16
Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Brenda's revision created another perspective with contrast, including some surrounding flowers come to life. I will refine my BW version after I review more comments from our BW experts in our group:-) Posted: 07/05/2026 16:10:41
I like this B&W conversion. I can still see good detail in the whites on my screen. Since this is a soft subject, adding more contrast would likely sacrifice that softness. Instead, I'd use a subtle vignette to gently darken the edges, helping the flowers stand out while naturally drawing the eye to the center. Posted: 07/06/2026 01:17:11
Thanks for your feedback and your revision. You did a wonderful job on the vignette. I tried that too but not as skillfully as you did, so I lightened up more. Posted: 07/11/2026 16:59:57
White flowers can be difficult to photograph. I think it helps to use B&W with white flowers as you can increase the contrast more than with color so that textures can be seen. The flower itself is interesting. I'd like it more if the flower were more ordered. Posted: 07/06/2026 20:51:09
Thanks for your feedback. Yes, it is better with BW for white flowers. This flower is hardly seeing all flowers bloom at the same time. Maybe you can still find the beauty of the disorder within the order :-) Posted: 07/11/2026 17:05:09
Nice and beautiful work, especially black and white. If I wait another two days for the center buds to bloom, do you think the shot would feel different? Posted: 07/10/2026 21:59:30
Thanks for your feedback. Not sure it would make any difference if the center flower opens up. I will pay attention next time I go past this roadside beauty. Posted: 07/11/2026 16:54:38
I like Sunil's version. It seem to have more depth to me. Posted: 07/12/2026 14:49:58
Agreed!!
Posted: 07/12/2026 15:47:47
Posted: 07/12/2026 15:47:47