I prefer the first. The white horse draws my focus by its being near centered and the fact that the lighter object catches my eye. The significant feature for me is the the reflection of that horse with the horse. The two shapes just grounds the entire image.

Ysarex, I have a question. If you return to the raw image to process in the camera, aren't your efforts limited by the the smallness of the image that you are viewing on the lcd screen? I think looking at the detail would be really demanding on my 75 year-old retina-reattached eyes.

Sorry that I haven't been back sooner. More importantly, thank you all for your kind remarks. Looking again at the strenght of the color version that you (plural) have mentioned, I think I may have abeeter grip on the differences required to make a better conversion to BW.

So, I have been working on improving my skills. Below is an edited image of the beach at Galveston, Tx. The second image is my BW conversion that I have developed so far. What I hope to discover are there techniques, editing tools, adjustments, or whatever I am not aware of that might bring into the BW version aspects or details that are in the color version that aren't seen in the BW. Please be as specific as possible; For example. in the little polygon of illuminated water to the right side of the image ( just below the tall building ) i I did a little burning to transition the water reflections which I had thought a little to contrasty in the image.

Thank you

David

While I really prefer the colo9er version, The leaves in the black and white positively stunned me. I think the intensity of the color version flood me with delight. The fullness in the composition of the black and white version is stunning. Thank you for posting both, and showinmg how how two images have such intrinsic, individual value.

I took the first on a bridge at Crystal Bridges Museum, Bentonville, Arkansas. The second is at the botanical gardens in Springfield, Mo.

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I took these on a recent visit. To be accurate, the first shot was taken the year before. The first view is of a large section of the grounds with the large pond included. The second shows the discharge from the water feature, which is the most developed portion of the park. A close up of the spillway into the pond from the waterway. The water feature shown in the fourth shot lies between parallel walks that flank the water run.

View of the grounds from the entrance

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The pond edge platform

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A section of the water feature as one ascends the hill

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Top section which is nearly fifty feet in length

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Urns with runners that flank the walk

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Thanks. I love the delicacy of these blooms.

I have two planters next to my driveway that contain lilies. They both bloom in July with one about two weeks earlier that the other Please enjoy them.

Last blossom of the first

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the second from this morning

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As a photographer, I would describe myself almost exactly6 as you have described yourself. I use Elements 13. I used PSE07 before that. These are the only programs that I use, though I am willing to see the value in other programs. While I consider myself serious about me photography, I do not delude myself about its quality. The people who are professional are so for good reason. Their training, skill and vision, their creativity are not in my "pay grade."

But I do wish to make the best possible photograph that I can. I really think lightroom would help. still, I have learned a great deal, both by exploring the tools available in Elements myself, and by pursuing the examples and instructions/suggestions of really fine photographers such as are found at UHH. I shoot with a two year old Canon T6i. I now shoot primarily in raw. I had no trouble getting my Elements13 to work with my camera at all. I have learned a lot using it and I think the end photos are often better. It took me long time to learn to use layers at all. I still struggle with blending and filters and many of the tools. It was a while before I thought that first edits in raw helped, but in time, I came to see a real change for the better. I am also 75. But having Elements always available, when I read or see that someone has done something I might like to try, I am happy to have the program so I can try my hand at it.

All in all I think a purchase of Elements will greatly enhance you experience. It certainly did mine, and I see myself as being quite a kindred spirit with you.

To the question of the composition. I like this flip. I wasn't sure about the crop. I can see a square cut, but my question then would be: does the image get too buy with the dark elements? Would I then have to clean up/ remove some of the background to maintain/strengthen the focus on the spent blossom? The last question would seem to apply to any crop.

One aspect of thi8s image that drew me were the lines of the branches and the swirling of the darker, unfocused darks in the shot. DSnap, I like your flip. It seems to me that it covers a stronger emphasis to the vertical branches so that they give the shot a better balance, but still keep the overall pattern of the darks. It may also seems to allow the light on the blossom to gain greater impact. Thank you every one for your help

For all your insight thanks to each, specifically for CHG_CANON, Linda, and R.G., thanks; I think I've got the Bokeh. Since I got back late in the post because of the holiday, I am an answering by topic .

1. Is this Bokeh?

2. If the large, spent blossom is the intended focus, is this poor composition?

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I've been down 10 a little once. I can't remember ever being on 20. I'll find an opportunity. Thanks again. David

thanks. there are many out there if you are willing to take the slow pace, as so many of your shots indicate.