minniev wrote:
Billy brought out some nice additional detail in the petals and leaves, but at the cost of some rather dreadful posterization effects. I also find the stem or stick of whatever on the left distracting. This looks like a Topaz version without layers or masks, having some benefits but at the cost of detriments. Of course that may be from pushing hard on a small jpeg, which is why it's pretty useless to critique an edit of an image posted here.
I think some balance could be found that could reveal a little of the leaf structure on the right, bring back the detail in the highlights, and wouldn't create that horrible splotchy effect. Usually when I'm trying to get a balance, I do an edit that brings out detail, then stack it over the softer, richer version, hide all with a layer mask, and gently paint in some detail using a low opacity brush in the areas I want the detail to show.
Billy, you really need to check your export color space, there is something going on there that hasn't always been the case with your images.
Billy brought out some nice additional detail in t... (
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The distracting "sticks" are actually pine needles that had fallen into the bush. The needles and the leaves to me are all distracting and that is why I went for the floating flower. I prefer to see the structure and nuances of the flower without the stems, leaves or other detractors.