Rose Perfect

Catherine: You've been away too long; welcome back. I've always liked your lensbaby work and this is no exception. Having never worked with one I don't know how difficult it is to define a POF. On this it looks like the petal edge just below the center is a touch sharper than the center itself which bothered me at first glance but as I study the shot I find that more intriguing. Sometimes I have to fight my conventional mind. . 2 thumbs up! >=))>

I like this; the main swirl well-placed in the upper left. But I think I'm looking for some "subject" somewhere that's a little more in-focus.

Hi Bill.
Lensbaby is a fixed 50mm with the aperture selected by the aperture disc the photog slips onto the front of it. Manual focus only, and that's the tricky part for me. I wasn't trying to be sooooo precise with pof here. This is more of a contemplative look-- easier if the eye that's looking is itself softly focused and not striving so hard for the point but for overall impression....
That said, i have a few tricks up my sleeve that may make this easier to "take". I'll give it a try and maybe repost.
@ Ronald: Using Lensbaby is a total contrast in style to, say, e.g. Philip's stacks, where tack sharpness throughout the image blows you out of you sox!. Lensbaby is much more unconventional. Shallow, shallow focus, softness and blur-- "see in a new way" is the Lensbaby company's motto. Fine with me, but doesn't suit everyone-- also fine with me. It's a love it or hate it kind of a thing, according to the usual run of comments I get.
please do keep the comments coming. i enjoy them, and they inform me as to whether i am meeting my goals and/or if my technique needs a little more practice!

Catherine - Reminded me of one of my own photos.

I use Lens Baby and agree with your assessment. Its a fun tool to use and needs a slightly wicked mind to appreciate its "tweaks".

Very pretty swirls there..very sherbety

ah, thanks Ram! I went to see yours again, and, yes, of course yours is composition and focus perfect! Looks like the same rose species; i forgot to check its name... Lovely color and good swirls-- not all roses so similarly compliant in that way, but all gorgeous, each in its own way.
Relieved to know there are other "wicked minds" out there besides mine.

I don't own a Lensbaby, and am not a huge fan, but it can produce images, like this one, with an appealing softness. The rose subject here is perfect for this look. This would make a great notecard, Catherine.

I really like the softness and point of focus you've achieved Catherine.
Bob & Charly

I really like the soft, swirling sense that your lensbaby has produced. While this is clearly a rose, the soft swirls create a nice dynamic feeling. Have to agree with Ram about this being sherbety.

Nice to see you posting here again, Catherine ! Love the composition with its strong spiralling effect - beautifully done ! For my taste there's maybe just a little too much saturation but that's personal preference - this is a striking image.

Hi, Ian– thanks for your comment. I underexposed a little on purpose because the flower was in the shade. I looked at it with less saturation and like it that way, too. Appreciate the suggestion.

Hi Catherine " Seductive lines" thats what comes to my mind, when i see these swirls. our eyes are automatically drawn to the apex... . a feast for the eyes ..



Albert Darmo
Canada

And rose perfect looks to me too Catherine. A splendid photo.

Just lovely—focus and oof work beautifully.