[Victoria]

So, Mother's day is coming up next month and this year I thought I'd be a more thoughtful daughter and present to my mother a framed photograph of a flower. My choices are limited as I didn't inherit my mum's green thumb but I did find this thriving (even though badly neglected) Just Joey rose in my garden .

My next problem is that I'm more a portrait kinda girl and flowers are definitely not my forte.

Is this photograph ok or can it be improved and how? I tried doing some shots with droplets but they just looked silly. Should the deepest part of the rose be in focus or doesn't it matter?



Any hints, tips, suggestions greatly appreciated.

[Markulous]

OK, I'm totally rubbish at flower shots but tried to come up with an alternative (no way is it better - but it is different!). The lighter areas in yours are grey, so altered the Levels:



Altered Levels (and White Point). Burn back the darker areas (I prefer focus throughout, so have gone for "hiding" the OOF areas!)

[Victoria]

Thanks Markulous - pretty good effort for someone who is rubbish at flower shots .

I really like what you've done with it but I'm a little bit torn because changing the colours has left it unidentifiable as a Just Joey. Does that matter? Hmmm not sure that it does .

It's given me some ideas to try.

[Markulous]

Think it probably does matter about the colour. Personally, I'd reshoot and get a shot with all in focus and then try different lighting.

[sawdust]

Victoria just take a self portrait you are as pretty as a Rose

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by sawdust

Victoria just take a self portrait you are as pretty as a Rose

You smooth !

[Rob Barron]

Victoria, whilst Mark's adjustment is good, can I simply say this: If you give your original to your mother, she will love it! It is great as it is so stop worrying, print it out and just hand it to her in a little frame with a little card to tell her how much you appreciate her. That's all she wants and whatever you do to the picture, she will not appreciate the sentiment any more or less :o)

Cheers,
Rob

[Victoria]

Originally Posted by sawdust

Victoria just take a self portrait you are as pretty as a Rose

Thanks Sawdust, you are too kind .

I was going to add some sarcastic remark but I have instead decided to be gracious and accept the compliment.

...still can't help wondering what you're after Have you entered a photo in a competition that needs more votes???

So much for being gracious

[Victoria]

Originally Posted by Rob Barron

Victoria, whilst Mark's adjustment is good, can I simply say this: If you give your original to your mother, she will love it! It is great as it is so stop worrying, print it out and just hand it to her in a little frame with a little card to tell her how much you appreciate her. That's all she wants and whatever you do to the picture, she will not appreciate the sentiment any more or less :o)

Cheers,
Rob

Thanks Rob, you are a dear soul. I guess any effort will be better than calling in at the nursery on the way over on Mother's day to buy the nearest flowering plant (as is usual practice for me).

[chickadee]

heres just a thought , probably going off topic of the actually photography side a lil...
keeping in mind that its coming from you (meaning the personal joy and love and your personal way you have completed your gift)...just a thought of may be placing rose on black bg (depending how much you want of rose) in the center of your rose either place thin gold or whatever colour border inside you write a small verse on what your mum means or on the love you have for her ....then place in frame.I did 2 pics for my children in center i had there names going down ,beside each letter i placed words starting with that letter that came from how i feel and how best describes each child then framed them.....another added touch ,have a go (if you havent already) at making a frame .All adds that something special and personal sentimental value to it.
As a mum myself , iam sure your mum will appreciate and love it as it is the sentiment and personal side of having someone think enough of you to actually create it themself always means more ...my opinion anyhow.
good luck and like to see your end result.

[sawdust]

Whatever is in any way beautiful hath its source of beauty in itself, and is complete in itself; praise forms no part of it. So it is none the worse nor the better for being praised.
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Meditations
Roman Emperor, A.D. 161-180 (121 AD - 180 AD

[skipper954]

this is getting pretty thorny