That's my story and I'm sticking to it (Page 2): Thanks Matt!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

MattPhox wrote:

Marvelous!

Thanks Matt!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

wdross wrote:

Linda, I have always enjoyed viewing your photos. ... (show quote)

Thanks so much for your feedback wdross. Your observation is something I hadn't considered and if I get a chance to return there before those nasty invasive non-native water lilies stop blooming, I'll look for a different composition with which to compare. It's a little early and there weren't many lily pads either.

Your time and interest are much apppreciated!

Revet Loc: Fairview Park, Ohio

I just love it Lynda!! Was the water really that calm?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Revet wrote:

I just love it Lynda!! Was the water really that calm?

Thanks very much! Yes, water was quite calm in that spot, though some of the smooth look is from not editing for details. No sharpening beyond the minimum in PSE's ACR, for example. In fact, compared to much of my output, this image has very little processing

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

This is a therapeutic shot in these difficult times! So serene and beautiful. Well done!

Stephan G

Linda From Maine wrote:

I love early mornings for the low angle of sun, and contrasts of shadow and light. I love the beauty of nature. A gentle story is offered here for your consideration. Thank you in advance for your time and constructive feedback.

Hello Linda,

I flipped your image vertically, making it go from dark to light left to right. To me, it appeared to become bolder. Its movement took the eye from the large dark mass, dwindled it to the right until the circle and "tidbits" remained in the light. It presents a story. (Interpretations left to the viewer.)

I would brighten the flower reflection in the water. Bring it to the same level as the image above the water. Also, I would straighten the image so that the two central stems are perfectly aligned perpendicularly. (It was almost tilting by 1-2 degrees.) This, I think, will strengthen the overall image.

My two Centavos.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I think it's exquisite. I wouldn't clean it up too much. Nature isn't sterile.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Cwilson341 wrote:

This is a therapeutic shot in these difficult times! So serene and beautiful. Well done!

I'm so pleased you like it, Carol. Thank you!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Stephan G wrote:

Hello Linda, br br I flipped your image verticall... (show quote)

Thanks so much for your detailed feedback, Stephan. Now that the tilt has been pointed out, I can't un-see it

However, I may leave it alone if the composition seems a bit too rigid with it "corrected" - just individual interpretation.

I like your suggestion about brightening the flower reflection.

Regarding flipping, that has been a fascinating subject to me for several years and I've hosted at least two discussion topics. The brain is wondrous indeed! When I took the photo I thought how glad I was that the empty space was on the left because I like to be led into a scene to discover the subject (or any large mass) on the right side. If "confronted" with the bulk on the left side, I feel blocked. Probably a bit how some feel with horizontal fence lines in foreground.

I'm very glad you explained what you see by doing the flip. An educational discussion - thanks again!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

AzPicLady wrote:

I think it's exquisite. I wouldn't clean it up too much. Nature isn't sterile.

I'm grateful for your comments, Kathy, and that you found the image enjoyable. I'm not hesitant about sterilizing a scene for my vision, but I had a sense of what I liked about keeping those stray elements, so it was never a consideration to remove them.

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

Linda From Maine wrote:

I love early mornings for the low angle of sun, and contrasts of shadow and light. I love the beauty of nature. A gentle story is offered here for your consideration. Thank you in advance for your time and constructive feedback.

Linda, stick to your guns. I like it just the way it is. The calmness of the water diminishes the perception of depth making it more of an artistic design. But the actual fact of depth makes some parts elevated in the design. What you have here is "Symmetry with Variety." Excellent.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Guyserman wrote:

Linda, stick to your guns. I like it just the way it is. The calmness of the water diminishes the perception of depth making it more of an artistic design. But the actual fact of depth makes some parts elevated in the design. What you have here is "Symmetry with Variety." Excellent.

Oh, I like your description, Guy; that would have made a great title

I'm glad you mentioned diminished perception of depth as that was something I saw on editing that appealed to me a lot.

Re "sticking to my guns," I am always grateful for suggestions and observations from others and enjoy not only a different viewpoint, but that someone is interested enough to take the time to offer an alternate story. Sometimes my own feelings about what I post are strong, sometimes I'm ambivalent. It's all good when constructive conversation occurs. Many thanks!

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

Linda From Maine wrote:

Oh, I like your description, Guy; that would have ... (show quote)

Agreed in all points.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

I love this photo. The single bloom and the reflections makes it a very soothing image. Beautiful work Linda.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Jim Plogger wrote:

I love this photo. The single bloom and the reflections makes it a very soothing image. Beautiful work Linda.

I'm so pleased you enjoyed, Jim. Thank you! Even when times are less troubled, I often prefer photos that show serenity and beauty over drama and discord.