My first flower picture in awhile. There are some minor contrast adjustments, and I cloned out some bugs, but that's all the altering. Thanks so much for taking the time to look!
You will be led to the knowledge of the internal things which are invisible to you, by the external things which you see before you. . . . Even so then, we can represent to ourselves in thought the Author of all that is, by contemplating and admiring the (visible) things which He has made, and ever brings into being.
- Hermes
I really like the style of this shot. Featuring this flower the way you did, zoom shot, the lighting elements, and of course the focus, work really well. Nice composition...the waters seem very peaceful indeed :)
Digital cameras all have built-in software that processes an image in various ways, and to varying degrees -- so when you transfer that image to your computer, it has already been "manipulated" to some degree. Your "alterations" were simply finishing the job that the camera began.
I have to agree with gjwahl..and DigiCamMan once told me that he thinks that all digital photos should go through a sharpening process. I'm not so sure about that in this photo. The softness adds to it. I guess it's all up to the artist to what degree the post process, even after your camera is through with it, works. Lovely take and nicely composed :)
"The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place; from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web." Pablo Picasso
Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb. - Churchill
Great lily shot! The composition is spot on and the contrast between the dark water and brighter lily petals is fantastic. Good job, keep up the good work!
"To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy."
~ Henri Cartier-Bresson
Hello Alyssa.....This is a very good close up....The dark blurred background certainly helps to project your main subject and I must say this picture is a pleasure to view.....All the best Alyssa.......Mick.