Succulent

[Helen Summers]

Not too much to say about this, it is pretty well what it says on the tin. But I quite liked the variation in form between the plant and its dead flowers so I thought I would share. The only thing I am not that pleased about is the marks on the leaves. The plant is covered in a chalk like coating which rubs off at the merest touch. I did think about cloning the marks out, but then I thought, too much hassle and anyway that is the nature of the plant.

 

[Digital Finger]

Really like that

only room for improvement in my book is left hand side pulls the eye a little and centre is off centre

 

[RobMac]

Oh, never clone anything. It's all what's there, what we see, part of the whole. Nature is already perfection.

I like it, Helen, but also think it doesn't sit too comfortably in the frame. Pretty good, though.

 

[Helen Summers]

Yes, see what you mean. Might have another go at it.

 

[Helen Summers]

Thanks for your comments both. I have had another go at this, but I couldn't improve the composition of the original image despite a great number of attempts. It was just the way the plant being circular, filled the frame. I ran out of plant in the corners which looked a bit messy. So I have photographed it again and re arranged the dead flowers to frame better. The light today has been better as well being softer, but also more contrasty. I have also done some cloning on the image as well, despite my policy of doing as little of that as possible, because frankly, the plant was starting to look the worse for wear, especially after I had rearranged the flowers. Anyway enough waffle, here is Succulent 2.

 

[RobMac]

Wow, what an improvement! Congratulations.

 

[Elines]

Yes, much prefer the second version.

Re cloning ... for me it's the old story .... depends what you are trying to do:

- present the world as it is = no cloning (etc)

- create something you like/the world as you would want it to be/ arty = clone + anything else necessary to do that

 

[Helen Summers]

Thanks for your further comments both.. I was going for the arty look this time, plus, when I began photographing this plant the leaves were pristine and beautiful, which is how I wanted to portray them to contrast with the dead flowers. So having put loads of blemishes on the leaves due to my clumsiness when arranging the flowers, it was no longer the beautiful specimen I started out with. Hence my decision to clone.

 

[dazdmc]

I liked the first one Helen, but the second is gorgeous and deserves to be printed. I'd quite happily have that hanging on my wall.

 

[Helen Summers]

Thanks very much.