Bob Legg
April 2025 - Daylily 743
Original
About the Image(s)
Daylily 743(based on file number) was taken on a cloudy but windy day. 200-400mm, handheld, iso 1000,f11, 1000 sec. Normal Lightroom Tone correcting. Mask over the subject flower and motion zoom used softening and removing distractions in the background. I believe this method makes the subject Pop.
9 comments posted
Using the motion blur does a nice job of toning down the yellow spot of the background flower. The subject does stand out. Nice work. Posted: 04/06/2025 23:14:14
Thanks Marti. Posted: 04/13/2025 15:24:20
Bob, very nice. Love how the stamen are almost floating in the flower. The background provides interest but some of the reds "leak" into the flower itself. I would try isolating the background as you've rendered it and toning the entire thing toward the green spectrum. I think that would make the flower pop more and keep the visual effect you're looking for. Posted: 04/12/2025 17:33:50
Rich, I appreciate your thoughts and value your suggestions. I'll have to work on changing my workflow as once I start changing colors in the background that requires multiple other changes. The color bleed at the end of the flower is caused by using the flower mask on top of the motion zoom mask. Posted: 04/13/2025 15:33:28
Hi Bob. This is a beautiful Lily and I think the angle you have chosen is very effective. Your focus on the stamen is perfect and I like the zoom blur you have added to the background. I think Rich's suggestion of toning all of the background toward green is an excellent one. Although the flowers in the background are blurred, they still compete a little strongly with the subject because of their bright vivid colors. The cloudy day really helps the color of the flower to pop. Posted: 04/12/2025 22:02:56
Thanks Ingrid for your comments, as I commented on Rich's I'll have to work on this. Much of the composition depends on other lily's in the background and under my feet. As you are probably aware, Day Lily's only bloom for 1 day so it's a matter of working the composition to get the best shot. Posted: 04/13/2025 15:40:44
It is a beautiful Lily, and the zoom background mostly works. What I find most distracting is the red on the right merging with the flower. I don't know what you could do about this. Also the double yellow at the bottom is distracting; Generative Fill might take care of that very nicely. Posted: 04/19/2025 18:12:20
Hi Bob, this is a beautiful lily and agree with the others on how the stamen stands out beautifully against the yellow and red background.
Also the current comments about the red petal on the right "bleeding" into the red motion in the background and having read your comments regarding about your workflow to rectify the problem. As a suggestion, if you take this image into photoshop you can easily use the Curves adjustment with the blending mode Multiply and reduce the opacity to 50%. This will darken the whole image and then using a normal brush, you can easily mask out the flower to its original light and keep the background darker at about 50% opacity. This simple task will separate the petal from its background and give it more "pop".
I have no suggestion for Lightroom as I don't use it.
Posted: 04/20/2025 10:11:46
Also the current comments about the red petal on the right "bleeding" into the red motion in the background and having read your comments regarding about your workflow to rectify the problem. As a suggestion, if you take this image into photoshop you can easily use the Curves adjustment with the blending mode Multiply and reduce the opacity to 50%. This will darken the whole image and then using a normal brush, you can easily mask out the flower to its original light and keep the background darker at about 50% opacity. This simple task will separate the petal from its background and give it more "pop".
I have no suggestion for Lightroom as I don't use it.
Posted: 04/20/2025 10:11:46
Thank you Nadia for your positive comments. However, I really use Ps for Creative elements that are not available in Lightroom. I know what Curves do but rarely use it. It just frustrates me in Ps when virtually no adjustment is easily located and works the same as Lightroom. While my learning for details, filters and effects continues to grow or hold steady, my learning processes is very painful as I have to stop the video and write down the next step etc. All caused by the short-term memory malfunction. That's why I enjoy the creative editing because it is outcome based and not following certain steps. I use blending modes but with certain results in mind. I recently tried to do a PS edit, like painting with a normal brush, and had forgotten, because it was not learnt properly. I'm happy and comfortable with my current work and strive to keep up. Adobe has helped so very much with their selection tools and presets and others that I can't remember at this time. Keep up with your good work Nadia. Posted: 04/21/2025 01:16:39