Hi Gwyn,

Thanks for your constructive comments. I too like the first shot in all versions. I was going for a different kind of composition in that one, and I think it turned out very nicely.

I guess with the 3rd version of PP, I can always blacken out some of the stalk to get rid of some of it, or all of it, like:

Dave,

You're absolutely right! Although the 2nd versions are colour monochromed in Aperture with a light brown colour, whilst "playing" I set the monochrome colour to black, and voila! the 3rd version was born! I brought out the shadows a little with levels to add a little more detail, and I have to say, I prefer them myself - as an alternative to the original.

Some of the ones I've produced don't even look like photos - like you say, scraperboard-like.

I've never really strayed from the normal PP to improve a shot (cloning, levels, sharpness etc.) And for a first play I'm pleasantly surprised with what I've come up with.

Fiona

Come on now Gareth, don't beat about the bush, say what you really mean!

Puke? How do you mean? They're not exactly sloppy, smelly with bits of carrot floating in them

I agree re comments on the second shot, which is my favourite of the three - you've captured real drama in those breaking waves!

Fiona

I'm sticking my neck out here (again!) and posting up some of my Gerbera photos. Although, I've learnt my lesson and know that I have a lot to learn before I can sell any. This time, I've also been playing about with PP, and have come up with an effect which I quite like, and just wondered what others thought.

Bearing in mind that I like the idea of eventually selling my work as art prints, I'd like your comments on the following 3 sets. The first image is colour with a bit of "tweaking", the second is a sepia version, and the third... well I'll let you decide whether you like it!

Here goes...

1.a.



1.b.



1.c.



2.a.



2.b.



2.c.



3.a.



3.b.



3.c.



Please let me know what you think of these PP effects, and if any, which you prefer and why.

Thanks in advance,

Fiona

James & Gareth,

Thank you for these links, they will definitely come in handy!

Have tried some more flower shots and will try again this evening, as I think the gerberas might not last much longer, and will start a new thread with my results.

Thanks again, I'm determined to get better at this!

Fiona

Thanks pentaxophile, I really like the second version you've come up with, with the orangey background. I definitely have a lot of playing around to do with the images I've taken!

Fiona

Well, the sun has now officially gone in! I just thought I would post a couple more, and yes, they have black backgrounds! They may not be 100% sharp (probably something to do with me not being able to figure linking the remote to the camera) but here are my last attempts today (same shot, one in B&W just for a change):

1.



2.



I hope these are better than the previous lot. Shot at f22 with the 90mm macro on my K7 - and surprisingly with a tripod! Well, I'm hanging up my photography hat for today - got a kitchen to tidy up and dinner to prepare!

Fiona

Hi John,

I have been using an aperture of f6.3 for most of the shots above. I have now starting experimenting with the aperture, and am getting some lovely results with f22.

As for the coloured backgrounds, I'm afraid I disagree with you John. I want my images to be full of colour, and feel that the blue contrasts beautifully with the flower. I'm sorry but my intention was to produce slightly abstract and exciting flower portraits, and black backgrounds just don't do it for me. I have a magnolia wall in my bedroom, and I'd much rather put a colourful, funky photo of a flower on it than one with a black background.

I have taken all comments on board though, and I will keep trying (seeing as I've found the ideal spot on my worktop to set all this up) and will be posting further results - though probably in a new thread. I have to say that the florists wire is a great trick, especially with floppy Gerberas! Thanks for that one Ken!

Watch this space!

Fiona

I have exactly the same problem with horizons. The camera will tell me it's level, yet when I get it on the screen at home, I always need to straighten the shot.

I understand what you've done to bring the detail out in the water in no. 3, but for me there's too much of it (water that is), and drags my attention slightly from the dramatic sky.

But apart from that I think it's a good set.

Fiona