dustie wrote:
Where I find these mallow wildflowers growing, it is difficult to get an uncluttered background with all the other vegetation surrounding the plants.
I've tried off and on since late summer 2022 when I took some pictures of some, to process them in ways that could decrease the background and let a mallow or two be emphasized. None did well.
There is an almost gossamer-like character to some of the petals, and that is what I wanted to bring out, but with all the distraction of the clutter of other vegetation, I wasn't getting there.
So, I selected this stem for a candidate and tried to make a 'portrait' of it.
Using a couple non-descript pics I have, I blended them into a composite, gave it some heavy-handed alteration with the curves tool, and put it onto the original background, letting a hint of the original barely show through in a couple places, if you know where to look for it. I tried to get the background so it doesn't detract attention from the florets of the subject.
Then, making another composite of three other pics, I made a 'mat' border for the 'portrait'.
Now, I tried a few different adjustments for the overall composition, but this one doesn't seem to come together quite right.
•• Is there an imbalance somewhere?
-- the 'pose' is wrong?
-- too much negative space, or it's in the wrong area?
-- lighting on the subject is not conducive to a good result?
-- is the aspect ratio not the best for this?
-- it's just too hokey an idea to pull off very well?
......or do I just need to lay it aside for a few weeks, then come back and look at it again after my eyes and mind have had a break from it for a while?
Where I find these mallow wildflowers growing, it ... (
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Overall, I find it a lovely image. Laying it aside often works for me, so you might find a more satisfying version later. Regarding the negative space and the aspect ratio, it does feel a little imbalanced for me; I think a little more negative space on the left would help. And I suspect I might prefer a little less of the stem, but only a little. Finally, for me, the frame is fine as is, although a more delicate design might be more appealing to some viewers.