3 white tulips

[casil403]

I was working on tulips today. Again, playing with settings, modes, light and DOF. Any suggestions on how to improve?
Btw, I went to the art store today and got a whole bunch of different papers to use as backgrounds..some really neat handmade ones.... cost about $25 total.

[Mad Aussie]

This is another great example of how a simplistic photo can be really be impacting.

Apart from maybe trying to clean up the slight browning on the lead tulip I'd say you'd done a great job here. I think most things I would have to say would be more my own personal preferences and wouldn't suggest improvement as such.

I'd maybe use a greener backdrop ... maybe.

I really like it.

[casil403]

YaY! Thanks MA! I think I might have to use another tulip as I don't have photoshop yet

[Mad Aussie]

The more I look the more I like the lighting too. Looks like some nice ambient lighting from the left of frame and some more yellow lighting from the right.

LeAngel just leaned over my shoulder and said she thinks the blurred Tulips should be closer together in terms of not so far to the right and left. I think that's a valid observation also.

[jjeling]

Nice job casil. I can see the progress already.

[Barefoot]

YaY! Thanks MA! I think I might have to use another tulip as I don't have photoshop yet

Well, if you haven’t bought that piece of very expensive software yet why not download and try Gimp? I have PS7 and never felt the need to upgrade to any of the later versions as I mostly use Capture NX2 now and PS7 did much more than I was able to get out of it anyway. It’s been a while since I relied on it at all having recently upgraded to a new quad core desktop that PS7 doesn’t run on. It’s still up and running just fine on my laptops.

I downloaded Gimp to the new desktop primarily for the clone tool as Capture NX2 doesn’t have one. Gimp is alright, I guess. It’s free and open source, so there are people making tools and filters for it all the time without the wait for Adobe to release updates that they sometime charge for.

You will have to rely heavily on the help manuals and online forums at first to get your feet wet with it, but give it a try. You have nothing to lose

http://www.gimp.org/

Edit: I just spotted PS Elements on sale for $59, and I'm on my way out the door to get my copy now!

[kiley9806]

theres been talk of gimp users on this forum before, and the general thoughts were that yes, its pretty intense to learn, but really worth it. i have never used it, so im just going off previous peoples threads, but i think its definitely something to look into if you are just learning, and dont have anything to go from... i'll take a look to see if i can find that thread...

[casil403]

Right now I am using Picassa3 but I find it's really limited with editing other than just the basics. Thanks Barefoot, I'll go and have a look!

[kiley9806]

heres the convo i was thinking of... http://www.photography.ca/Forums/photoshop-graphics-programs-pluggins-photography/1301-new-gimp-2-6-a.html#post6035

and sorry, i should have commented on your photo before! i really like your idea - the simplicity is just great! all improvements would be through post processing, that i can think of. once youre more into pp, you could burn the left tulips left petals a bit, try to boost the saturation a little, get the green greener and the white to pop. you could play with the levels and curves. i bet itd look great in that oil paint filter of mike laws! this would be awesome for a monthly edit submission!

[Barefoot]

Right now I am using Picassa3 but I find it's really limited with editing other than just the basics. Thanks Barefoot, I'll go and have a look!

You're really gonna want that clone tool and the ability to use layers. PS Elements is also a good choice to start with. No better than I am with software, it may be all I'd ever need combined with Nikon's Capture NX2.

I don't remember seeing what make of camera you have, but if it is a Nikon, by all means, get NX2. It's fantastic!