Alley Cat - Peony by Susana Weber
My wild and crazy peony with French Kiss Textures made for Flower Works Challenge especially. A lovely idea and fun to try something different.
Nikon D90 / NIKKOR Micro 85.0mm f/3.5
Photoshop manipulation with FK textured layer adjusted to Luminosity in blending then ‘reversed’ in PS levels, reduced to 80% opacity, color adjusted with Hue/Saturation tools, and further reduced with layers masking. More adjustments made in Lightroom to create a desired ‘mood’. Lots of fun with techniques I use for other things but rarely flowers.
Comments
Great work Susana. Pinks are delightful, composition wonderful, and texturing is out of this world. You must have had a lot of fun with this eye-catching beauty. Very well done!
Joe, thank you so much for the complements! Yes, too much fun late at night! LOL! But, come back and tell me if the other versions are reading better. I’m thinking that the flower form is getting lost. It’s an odd peony to begin with. Have I pushed it too far? Are the brighter or softer versions better… or just different, in your opinion?
Anyone else care to give me your critique? You’re welcome to! I’m just learning!!
Susana
– Susana Weber
They are just different. I prefer the version you chose to post. The flower sits nicely in an “antiqued” look with the texturing and yellows making it look older, well used, handled by generations of admirers. The brightest looks more modern, spring time. The softer does lose the flower and some detail a bit more. Those shepherd’s hooks on the flower add character and interest. Yes, your original is my pick! Hard to stop working late at night when you really get into an image isn’t it?
THIS IS BEAUTIFUL! I like this as a happy medium between all three, but I like the more yellow parts of the brighter one. So IMHO either of those two.
Thanks so much for your opinion on the flower shot, Dot! I’m new to using these techniques on flowers. They are only a sometime subject for me. There are so many people doing wonderful floral shots her on RB. But it’s nice to know how to get the effect one wants on purpose instead of stumbling on it and then forgetting how one got there… my usual situation! LOL!
– Susana Weber
a beauty
Sylvia, thanks so much, m’dear!! ♥
– Susana Weber
So beautiful and delicate
Thank you so much Ms Smitten! I really do appreciate that! :-)
– Susana Weber
Beautiful image and colors!!
Hello Carol… thanks so much for the nice comment! Really nice of you, m’dear!
Susana
– Susana Weber
this is simply beautiful! colors and treatment are great ;)
Manon, thank you muchly, dahlin’! I’m trying to get to where I can do this on purpose instead of doing it by an accident that I forget immediately! LOL!! xx
– Susana Weber
Fantastic work! I have no idea what the processing entails….you lost me at Photoshop manipulation! LOL. Whatever you did, it worked beautifully!!
Thanks so much, Susan! There are so many wonderful ‘floral’ artists on RB… I don’t know why I’m trying… but, it’s nice to know HOW to get what you’re looking for anyway! Haha! Cheers, hun!
– Susana Weber
Nice a subtle additions to the shot – lovely work.
Thank you so much, Vee!!
– Susana Weber
very beautiful job on this!! Wonderful composition!!!
Thank you so much, Gena! Fun exploring something new…
– Susana Weber