Violet Nemesis + Repost

Wow, that is one intense color. I like the composition here - the three buds counter balance the open blossom perfectly, while the greenery in the background provides a nice contrast to the vivid magenta.
As a suggestion - when there is subject matter like this that is easily defined (as opposed to some broad open landscapes), I'd darken the corners a little more, to help keep the eye more focused on the star performer.
As I sit here in Nashville today, with temps in the mid-70's, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't have some early blooms soon ourselves. Only to be foiled by more frost later on.

Michael: Great suggestion on the corners; it had not occurred to me. Thanks. >=))>

I think I actually like the first post the best! Some how in the second post you lost some of the zing in the detail...maybe because some of it lies within the darkened area?

Bill,

I actually like both versions for different reasons. The intense color is remarkable. I would not have thought of darkening the corners either but it does empasize the center of the image. Very well done. No flowers here for awhile since it is 11 degrees.

William Gillis

Looks great, Bill. Good dof on the cluster of buds and the inner parts of the open bloom. The comp. speaks of trumpeting to the world. There are halos around the pistil and the upper and lower petals and the stamen also seem a touch stark...maybe too much sharpening???. What ever it is it should be an easy fix on a fabulous view. I prefer the original post for the overall clarity on the entire flower.

Beautiful colors and excellent detail, Bill! I prefer the orginal post, it just looks more beautiful to me.

I'll join in the accolades for this one Bill. Very beautiful. I really like the comp and bg. Michael's suggestion is a good one, and one to keep in mind, but the bg is so colorful and nice, I prefer the better view in the first. Maybe something in between would be perfect.

Talk about electric color. Great clarity as well.

I prefer the second version Bill. It is more subdued but I think this animal needs a bit of that. (smile)

Beautiful image - should be on a hospital wall somewhere because of the mood and energy it conveys.

pat

Good angle and comp... tough to decide where to crop...and this looks spot-on perfect. Glad you darkened corners...it helps. This color is tough to share on monitors...well done!

Bill:
Really intense color I like the vignette in the repost but perhaps not so strong - somewhere between the first and second.

I do like the repost better and I liked it fine before. Such fantastic color, Bill!

Hi Bill Love the stunning color on both images!!! both versions have their merits but i agree with the majority. on choosing the second version. because of a softer BG.
Albert Darmo

Both beautiful for me Bill, with different suggestions. Excellent Michael's advice.
Cheers.

A wonderfully crisp rendering, Bill ! Am in two minds over the repost - the fg dark to bg pale colours of the original work very well - in fact I do think the anthers and the stigma shine out more strongly in that version.