Ikebana

!!! Gary, I'm sending you a bill for a broken jaw that hit the table when this opened. Fabulous arrangement with the striking bird of paradise really stealing the show. Really good lighting as well. For me this is your best. >=))>

The display and the image are both gorgeous, Gary. I like the reflection under your container, but not crazy about the browns of the background. That's a downer for me. It could be that the blues of morning light might be more effective with this arrangement.

Regards,

Carol

Gary, you certainly nailed the stacking procedure with this one. And the arrangement is superb, love the bowl and reflection of the bowl, the bit of table top, also. But I agree with Carol - the brown bg bothers me. I guess with so many well presented colors they should have one in kind to play off of.

I agree with Bill. Without going back to compare, I think this is your best arrangement. I also have no problem with the BG. I think the BG and lighting work well. The BG is pleasing but not competing, and goes perfectly with the bowl.

Beautiful, Gary. Your color choices are so sweet, and to my uneducated eye, the lighting and everything is splendid. If I may, not suggest but just say, I have a feeling that the bird of paradise would look better with a longer stem.

Still waiting for one that is NOT superb - this is not it!
Exquisite - exceptional arranging, simple vase, great BG.
Very complimentary flowers and colours.

Sandy

Excellent arrangement Gary. The BG colour doesn't bother me. You say you we trying to get a Mapplethorpe style image. Well the lighting is definitely better that what you had in the studio but I don't get the feel of the directional lighting to the same extent that I see in Mapplethorpe's images.

Gary,

Arrangement, photography and processing are all exceptional for my tastes. An exceptional image. No suggestions. (smile)

pat

Stunning, Gary - would not change a thing here. I like that brown background very much

WOW Gary this is beautiful. I just stopped by tonight to peruse images in the gallery with no intention of commenting but this is too compelling to let go. I love it. I always like your work but I think this is my favorite.

Peter

Thanks everyone for your comments. Much appreciated.

Charlie:
Your comment about wanting the BOP to be a little longer really shows that you have good eyes and knowledge of Ikebana (may be you were a master in your previous life ) I tend to agree with you. When I cut the stem, I measured it out to be exactly 1.5x the width of the bowl + height. However, I did not take into consideration that I placed the stalk at an angle (more so in the foreward/backward axis) which visually shorten the BOP. Yes, a few more inches would be ideal here!

Bob:
Thanks for you observation about the directional lighting. I would have like it to be stronger but the white in the ginger flowers is close to be blown. As it is I did a little burn on the white flowers here.

Fantastic arrangement and elements. I like the light and the warm background.

Hooray for the Ikebana! I missed these! I like the lighting and the reflection of this very geometric base. The orange is simply glowing. Well done!

Amazing shot. Almost looks super real with the clarity and exposure. The orange and purple perfect color complements with each other and the other earth colors.


lucy