Send Me Dead Flowers+repost

Bruce,

Because of the relative brightness between the flowers and the greenery, the latter seems to me to be the dominant element in the composition. Assuming you want to place more emphasis on the flowers, I might use a gradient to darken the greenery from the bottom up. I think the dark bg works very well here and the shadows don't bother me at all.

pat

Hi Bruce, I like old tulips that you can extract some hidden beauty into a shot. I like the edgy ...not a centered flower...style...like we discussed at photo-club. The flowers are jumbled and small strongly lit against the black. My only thought is there is no focal point...nothing large, distinct and separate.

I love the colors against the black bg. Did you try playing with a vertical vs horizontal composition?

Although the greens are rather dominant Bruce, I like this image as posted. I find this image comforting. Good job.
Bob

This is interesting Bruce. I have to admit that my eyes were a bit confused at first look, it didn't excite me, yet it had pleasing elements (the greenery and wilting blooms) that seemed pulled apart without direction to follow. After reading a couple of other comments I can agree that the foliage is as strong an attraction as the spaced apart blooms and that is what blocks a natural flow for the eyes to take in..... at least mine. Perhaps cropping green off the bottom or using Pats suggestion would help pull it all together.

Unusual and intriguing. the foliage is a little too bright IMO but still an interesting composition

Ok, I hear you. Here's a version reworked with a few curves adjustments. I definitely think it's an improvement. What do you think?

Looking at the uploaded repost it now seems that the petals are a little over-cooked. I just got a new monitor, it's calibrated but working my images is well......a little different. At least I'll blame it on that for now.

Bruce,
the repost works better for me. Different and beautiful comp. I like it.

I have to say, Bruce, that I think you got it right first time. To me, the bright greenery is a vital part of the composition - the various strands of stem and leaf beautifully anchor the flowers in the landscape format. I find the leafage in the second version maybe a touch dull by comparison. This is obviously just me !! Whatever, it is a delightful image - fresh and original.

Bruce:
I think the originally is technically better than the repost in terms of color and brightness. My eyes tend to wander around the frame and I agree with Ken's comment about the composition lacking a central focal point of interest.

Interesting subject and comp, even with two focal points. I think processing somewhere between the two images posted here would be about right.

Refreshingly different. I like the comp; maybe a little more room at the top. Without the shadows it would look pretty flat, I think. I like this, Bruce.