Little Shop of Horrors - REPOST

I too find flowers interesting in all stages of their growth, not just the full bloom. I like the details on the petals and sepals. I don't quite understand the crystal reflections; were they intentional? where do they come from? I find the bright stem/leaf on the bottom left corner distracting; cloning that out would help IMO.

Thanks for the feedback, Carolyn. I'm adding a repost to darken that distracting left corner.

To explain about the reflections ...

I was shooting on the kitchen counter. I have crystals hanging in the window and the reflections happened to show on the daisy bud. I thought they added interest to the image so I shot it as was. I didn't plan it; it just happened. Glad you asked.

Crystal reflections, eh? I like them! The add some interesting points to the bud. Fascinating bud too, almost like a bunch of bananas clustered there. I see where you were going in the repost, but it appears over done to me. Some of the glowing charm has been lost.

Carol:
Looks like a bunch of bananas. I think the original post is stronger with the exception of the LLC. I would suggest a clone rather than darkening. Interesting orange and purple glow on the flower.

Carol, I agree with John's comments re the repost. I like the more darken BG but maybe not as far as you took it. Great title and fun movie. It's how I view the PNW. All that vegetation reaching out to grab you.

Great perspective and subject Carol, and captured well. I like the subject sharp and detailed, with just enough detail in the supporting BG to add interest without distracting. Great work in my opinion.
Bob

I gave in!!!

Worked on the image (yet again). Used a Neutral density filter #40.

The diagonal stem has been darkened slightly. Now shows it's character more. Don't think it leads the eye out of the image since there's enough green by the frame of the image.

Probably best viewed here.

Thanks for your support and comments and thanks for the back and forth conversations I've had with many of you.

Regards,

Carol

Carol you have captured very nice details and presented excellent composition, but I'm not very much in favor of these crystal reflections.

Hi Carol I find the busy BG on the first post a bit distracting. Can't think of it's name, but it reminds me of that tropical insect eating plant. The lines and detail are well done
Albert Darmo .... Canada

I love the title!
Repost looks much better to me, really like the contrasts here. The highlite on the stem in the lrhc is a tad troublesome, but overall this is a winner IMO.

Carol: Other than the hot spot on the stem the original is far better IMO. Rather than darkening the whole image some I think I would paint some color into the blown area. I like the lighting on the main subject a bunch. Well done.>=))>