High Key Water lily

Gallery: FloraPosted January 17, 2012652 views26 comments

I posted this about a year ago but wasn't happy with the processing. The sun was so bright, the top half was dark shadow. I finally was able to extract some detail from the shadows but in so doing I induced a lot of noise in the water. I cloned some water from the dark top over the water in the rest of the picture. I still have a little cloning to do around a couple of the sunstars at the bottom when I get better at that.
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Comments

26 comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on January 17, 2012 at 8:11 PM

Michael: Just spectacular! I always enjoy your water lilies but this one is in a class by itself. Many kudos! >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on January 17, 2012 at 9:05 PM

Wow, spectacular is right. I love all the sunstars.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on January 17, 2012 at 9:28 PM

Mike, This is pure class. The sparkles (Star Burst) mirrors the shape of the Lily so very well. The textures on the pad are still retained while balancing with the reflection. I might remove the star burst at 2' O Clock position on one of the petals.

Terrific any which way I look at it

Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Sabiston on January 17, 2012 at 10:51 PM

Stunningly good processing here. Excellent control in a difficult lighting situation. Did you use a starburst filter for the little highlights?

Registered on April 7, 2007, 134 Posts, 443 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on January 17, 2012 at 11:52 PM

Thanks to all for the comments. No filter, Jim.

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on January 18, 2012 at 6:00 AM

Awesome control of the harsh lighting Michael. Would have been a great shot without the stars, waterdrops and shiny pads, but its outstanding because of those elements.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on January 18, 2012 at 9:15 AM

I love this! The sunstars....the lighting on the flower & pads, the composition...it's all really good!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on January 18, 2012 at 11:39 AM

Unique and glamorous! The sheen, starbursts, and bold lines set this apart from the usual water lily. Well worth the extra time in processing.

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on January 18, 2012 at 8:16 PM

This is superb, Michael! Great job in processing a bright lighting situation. The sunstars make this even more tantastic.

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 19, 2012 at 4:06 AM

Terrific sharpness and great detail, Michael !!! Fantastic lightening as well

Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on January 19, 2012 at 1:02 PM

Beautifully seen and captured Michael !!! A stunning shot !

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on January 19, 2012 at 3:28 PM

I really like all the drama created by the bright leaf surfaces and the clear water drops. The sunstars are a great addition.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Anne K. Rusk on January 19, 2012 at 10:17 PM

I am really enjoying this! Those stars are mesmerizing! Awesome

Registered on October 10, 2010, 65 Posts, 904 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on January 20, 2012 at 12:34 PM

Can't see how this could be bettered, Michael ! And I just love those starry reflections !

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on January 21, 2012 at 3:24 AM

Michael:
I remember your previous post and the processing here is simply awesome. One of the best waterlily image I have seen

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on January 21, 2012 at 5:21 PM

Thanks to all for the comments.

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 22, 2012 at 2:57 PM

Hi Michael

I'm behind in my comments

This is just amazing photography

The quality of detail and light is remarkable

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on January 26, 2012 at 11:21 AM

Michael, this is stunning. I think one of the better images I've seen in Flora because of the POV and the originality. Well done, and congratulations to you too on the weekly pick. Well deserved.

Carol

PS if I were a little kid, I'd want to put out a finger to touch those lily pads.

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on January 26, 2012 at 12:42 PM

Many congrats on the EP, Michael - a first rate image in every respect !!

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 26, 2012 at 1:31 PM

Your work really paid off - this is very unique, and just lovely -
congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Grabski on January 27, 2012 at 1:46 PM

Well deserved WP, fantastic work.

Registered on April 29, 2011, 122 Posts, 431 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on January 28, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Congrats on the WP pick, Mike. I do not remember seeing the original, but this is outstanding! You did a fantastic job of handling the bright light and the multitude of sunstars this image unique.

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Christine Adams on January 29, 2012 at 6:48 PM

Hi Mike! This image is SOME special! Congrats on your WP!

Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on February 1, 2012 at 6:42 PM

Gorgeous transitions of light and shadow throughout the frame. The lily is pristine. Beautiful work, Michael! Congrats on the Pick!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on February 3, 2012 at 11:40 AM

What a beauty Michael! I losted the photo.
It's a splendid idea to overexpose an image that it's usually underexposed, with poor effects. Compliments.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on February 5, 2012 at 2:49 PM

Just outstanding work. Amazing.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments