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Hibiscus.
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Hibiscus.

by Michael Lowe

Gallery: FloraPosted April 15, 2012348 views27 comments
In my backyard. I had to add a blending layer more out of necessity than anything. The shine on the petals was just not pleasing to my eye.

Comments

27 comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on April 15, 2012 at 6:47 PM
Hi Michael :wavey: A marvelous composition :eek: the vibrant colors, and superb detail and light, mesmerize the senses :toast:
Albert Darmo
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Dayton on April 15, 2012 at 8:00 PM
Superb, Michael! Great colors and incredibly sharp. In the center it almost looks like it's backlit.The way
that you've composed the various petal layers really gives a 3D effect to this for me. Very artistic, and
thanks for sharing.
Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments
Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on April 15, 2012 at 8:27 PM
Very very nice! I love the silky maroon & the spray of white in the middle! Reminds me a bit of a galaxy!
Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments
Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on April 15, 2012 at 8:28 PM
Marvelous color in graceful swirls and a fine composition.
Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on April 15, 2012 at 9:01 PM
Homerun, Michael. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Wayne Jones on April 15, 2012 at 9:47 PM
I think this would be very nice with "standard" lighting, but that amazing glow puts this WAY above very nice!


Is the glow from your lighting, or a product processing with the blending layer?
Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments
Comment posted by Brigitte Lorenz on April 16, 2012 at 2:09 AM
superb in every way!!!!

Brigitte
Registered on January 10, 2009, 187 Posts, 1507 Comments
Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on April 16, 2012 at 5:12 AM
The regal colors, deep folds and sharpness make this hibiscus extra ordinary and very special. Excellent image! For some unexplained and completely unrational reason I would like to see it flipped horizontally. :toast:
Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments
Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on April 16, 2012 at 7:33 AM
Colors, light, and composition are wonderful on this image- My congrats, Fabio
Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments
Comment posted by Carlette Bragg on April 16, 2012 at 7:36 AM
Michael, this is really nice! The glow in the center puts this over the top! :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on March 19, 2009, 76 Posts, 387 Comments
Comment posted by Todd Bielby on April 16, 2012 at 9:54 AM
This is just spectacular Michael! I see a weekly pic in the near future!
Registered on March 10, 2011, 169 Posts, 392 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Lowe on April 16, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Thanks to all for the comments. Wayne, the glow around the stamen is there naturally, but is certainly enhanced by the blending. The glow in the rest of the image is definately a by-product of the blending. I just had to cover up the hard sheen that was on this flower. I think it was either "hard light" or "overlay". Sometimes it will obscure a myriad of problems.
Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments
Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on April 16, 2012 at 12:09 PM
This is absolutely beautiful, Mike :cool: - this one clearly betters the one you posted a couple years back. Awesome work. :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments
Comment posted by Nathan Buck on April 16, 2012 at 5:20 PM
Good golly this is a stunner Michael! I love the rich colors and the 'glow' is amazing. A variety of flower that I have wanted to photograph for quite a while and have not had the chance. Excellent in every way.

Nathan
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments
Comment posted by Miro Susta on April 17, 2012 at 3:04 AM
Superb light and details. Well done Michael. :smile:
Registered on August 18, 2006, 719 Posts, 3736 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on April 17, 2012 at 7:15 AM
Wow! Beautifully done, Mike. The lush red of the petals combined with the glow in the center make this first rate. :toast:

Ed
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on April 17, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Velvety rich colour, lovely work ! :toast:
Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on April 17, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Great rich color and excellent dof. A striking image.
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Lowe on April 17, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Thanks for the comments all. Patricia, it's funny you mentioned flipping this horizontally, cause i actually made two other jpegs of this, one flipped like you mentioned and one with a crop from the bottom. i just flipped a coin and posted this one. :wavey:
Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 17, 2012 at 5:37 PM
Terrific job. It looks like it's backlit with the glow at the base. The halos around the stigmas really create a 3D effect.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on April 18, 2012 at 4:44 PM
I can't help imaging a stream of lava descending the volcano. Beautiful emotion.
Cheers.
Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on April 22, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Michael: Jaw dropping color and lighting and terrific detail on the center parts. Exceptional image. >=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 25, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Very nice Michael, I especially like the way it glows.
A real treat for the eye, excellent work! :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on April 25, 2012 at 6:51 PM
Hi michael :wavey: Congrats on a well deserved WP :toast: :toast:
Albert Darmo
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Diffley on April 25, 2012 at 7:13 PM
Very nice floral image. Nice that it was a gallery winner!
Registered on April 8, 2012, 52 Posts, 279 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 26, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Beautiful lines, textures, and colour.
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on May 1, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Wow, that's beautiful! The colours are amazing! A well deserved weekly pick :wink: , congrats!
Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments