A Plethora of Petals (Page 2): I knew I could count on you to look closely and see beyond the petals, Linda! Thank you. I did try several with random placement, letting them fall...

carlysue Loc: Columbus

Linda From Maine wrote:

In the first instant of viewing, I saw a curled sn... (show quote)

I knew I could count on you to look closely and see beyond the petals, Linda! Thank you. I did try several with random placement, letting them fall freely to their own spot but still struggled with the image as there was also quite a bit of random white amidst the random petals. And again, I struggle when there is no obvious focal point, just the color itself as the subject.

carlysue Loc: Columbus

merrytexan wrote:

i love your creative and colorful arrangement of those beautiful flowers carlysue!!

Thank you so much for saying that, MT! I really struggled with even posting this as I waffled a lot on it. The flowers were beautiful and have brightened my summer but, alas, short lived. So glad you looked and left me your post!

carlysue Loc: Columbus

rmalarz wrote:

Quite interesting carlysue. You've almost created a flower creature with this composition.
--Bob

It does look like a oceanic creature from the deep, I agree. It was not my intention, I just sort of let the petals fall and then separated them a bit into a spiral. But, the creature emerged anyway, as creatures tend to do. I am glad you found it interesting, that is always a welcomed thought. I hate to be boring.

carlysue Loc: Columbus

docshark wrote:

Holy Cow Carly Sue that is fantastic!. What a beautiful image. I love the way you displayed the petals and blooms. Just scattering them about for the shot wouldn't have been nearly as effective. Fine work.
-Doc

Doc, you say the kindest things!! I really debated on posting this, just wasn't sure but I did want to do something more creative than trying shots of beautiful flowers. And the shots I did with the scattered petals just didn't do it for me. Its amazing when you think you have them really close together how the light seems to separate them.
You made my evening, doc, encouraging and emboldening.

carlysue Loc: Columbus

AzPicLady wrote:

That's a wonderful idea. I think maybe you're on to something here.

thank you,AzPicLady! It was fun, sprinkling all of those petals! I probably could have used quite a few more, especially if I had more yellows and blues. Seems I was heavy with reds! Please feel free to try your own, I'd love to see what you come up with!

carlysue Loc: Columbus

R.G. wrote:

A very original idea that's worth pursuing. I agree with comments that the red and white are a bit too much. For the background you could try different tints and graduations. And you could try arrangements that are reminiscent of things, without worrying too much about accuracy.

Thank you for your comments, R.G. I'm not sure this is where I want to take this, altho' petals are quickly dissipating. There was some shadow that I tried to painstakingly remove and I think the shadow was more lavender. Perhaps I should have gone that way. Arrangements reminiscent of things? That sparks my interest! Did you have ideas on what some things might be?

carlysue Loc: Columbus

ebrunner wrote:

This is different, and quite creative. I like it a lot. I'm assuming that you arranged them all painstakingly. Did you use a light box for your background. If so, did you need flash to make the pedals show detail? Just curious. See, you got me thinking.
Erich

Erich, I so appreciate you commenting and finding this interesting. They weren't really arranged too painstakingly...I kinda just sprinkled them on the light box and most of the rearranging came when I'd move a few about because there might be too many large petals together. Some images were just random and they really didn't do much for me. I simply took my finger into the pile and made a spiral (that now reminds me of a sea serpent). I'm uncertain if I used a flash on this one. I did take several, some with flash, some not but the light was on in the lightbox. So glad to encourage thinking! That's probably the highest compliment that can be given!

carlysue Loc: Columbus

Dixiegirl wrote:

Always beautiful and creative work, Carla. I think the pristine white background is a perfect contrast to the brilliant colors!!

Donna, I wasn't sure if you'd see this but I did want to thank you for your encouragement. It was a pain to get the "gray" out of the image, and then one I finally accomplished it, wasn't certain if I had gone too far. I always stew too much on any image that I post. I'm not usually so undecided or have that much angst in most things of my life, yet I do in my artwork. I am so glad for your help and opinion, I value yours.

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

carlysue wrote:

Donna, I wasn't sure if you'd see this but I did want to thank you for your encouragement. It was a pain to get the "gray" out of the image, and then one I finally accomplished it, wasn't certain if I had gone too far. I always stew too much on any image that I post. I'm not usually so undecided or have that much angst in most things of my life, yet I do in my artwork. I am so glad for your help and opinion, I value yours.

I think it all boils down "to each his own", Carla. We can follow tried and true rules and guidelines to make our images aesthetically appealing, but the appreciation of it is still going to depend on the viewer. When I first posted my translucent flowers, somebody told me that the white background detracted from the subjects. My opinion was and still is that the white background revealed the shape and detail in a way I'd not seen before.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

carlysue wrote:

......Arrangements reminiscent of things? That sparks my interest! Did you have ideas on what some things might be?

Just simple ideas like arranging the petals roughly in the shape of a large blossom, possibly with a bit of greenery thrown in. And I'm sure there are better ideas to experiment with (preferably with a floral or summery theme).

When I said tint I meant light colouring. If the background was too strong it would compete with the petals. And it wouldn't have to be monochrome. Graduations of colour might work well, using just two or three colours that work well with each other and with the petals.

carlysue Loc: Columbus

R.G. wrote:

Just simple ideas like arranging the petals roughl... (show quote)

Thank You for your input and ideas, R.G. Its fun to play around and then see something appear and want to develop it further. I'm on it!

R.G. Loc: Scotland

carlysue wrote:

Thank You for your input and ideas, R.G. Its fun to play around and then see something appear and want to develop it further. I'm on it!

Be sure to post what you come up with.

John Lawrence

I've been away and am catching up on the posts I missed, Carla. This one really caught my eye. The interesting shape along with the vivid color reminded me of a Chinese dragon. Your creative compositions continue to capture my imagination. Well done as always.

carlysue Loc: Columbus

John Lawrence wrote:

I've been away and am catching up on the posts I missed, Carla. This one really caught my eye. The interesting shape along with the vivid color reminded me of a Chinese dragon. Your creative compositions continue to capture my imagination. Well done as always.

John, I am thrilled you looked and let me know. You have inspired me more than you'll ever know. Thank you. I love that your imagination has been captured and trust you will let it flow. I must agree that the somewhat random scattering of the petals and then my making the spiral through it has turned it into the likes of a creature...and I' really like "Chinese Dragon" over "Serpent of the Deep". I think the little blue petal on the larger red petal has turned the shape into the creature's head!