Bejeweled

[aprilS]

Still playing with Versace's post-processing methods, and think this is a bit more under control. Also my first foray into Photoshop's lighting effects. Too heavy-handed? (The light was there in the original capture, but nearly invisible.)

[habakuk]

April. Oh, how I do love that shot. First of all, I love it for the jewels, for the way it gives me a feeling of looking at a crown juwel. it is a temporary beauty, and knowing the beauty won't last forever makes it even more valuable for me to have the privilege to see it. So, I would love to see a composition and lighting that supports the feel of uniqueness, of someone standing in the spotlight for just a moment. And you managed to provide me with that almost perfectly. I do like the way you applied the lighting, I love the colors and I am absolutely stunned by the many drops and how they change that "simple" leave into something breathtakingly beautiful. You handle Versace's style really fine already.

The only little thing I feel a bit bothered is the left most part of the stem(?). Somehow its angle isn't really feeling right to me.

cheers
®

[Ted Byrne]

.... of someone standing in the spotlight for just a moment...

How eloquent Roland... both the image and the comment. "In the spotlight for just a moment."

A spotlit moment of a glittering Cinderella in full bloom. So nice...

I am beginning to think that one basic goal of art may be to create something that itself can resonate so elegantly in the mind of the viewer that it concocts meanings that were never in the artist's mind. The evocative ambiguities of images become sources of creativity among the viewers. You keep doing that April... It's an impressive talent.

[eob]

I agree with both comments. This is part of what clearly becomes your personal style, April. Very delicate, feminine and sensitive. You are able to explore the beauty of nature on different levels in one photo - and take us with you for that exploration...

I am beginning to think that one basic goal of art may be to create something that itself can resonate so elegantly in the mind of the viewer that it concocts meanings that were never in the artist's mind. The evocative ambiguities of images become sources of creativity among the viewers.

Oh, absolutely, Ted. I got no doubt about that in my mind. What's more, I think that is the most profound goal of art.

[aprilS]

Thank you each for your thoughtful comments.

Roland, I love your interpretation of "standing in the spotlight for just a moment". That captures so well what I felt -- but didn't articulate -- when I saw this singular beauty. I'm glad the processing reflects that.

The problem you see with the stem may be related to the orange curving shape just above. I tried to break that up, but wasn't successful. It's now in my mind to revisit.

Ted wrote:

The evocative ambiguities of images become sources of creativity among the viewers.

But isn't that what you do with all your images, and what you mean by "looking through" vs. "looking at"?

Shades of "Alice Through the Looking Glass": when the photograph, which is a reflection of "reality" but actually a reflection of the photographer instead becomes a reflection of the viewer. Hmmm...

eob, I know you don't mince words; I'm touched by your comment as well.

[Ted Byrne]

Hiya.... I meant the ambiguities to be a compliment. It's exactly what I mean by falling through the plane of the image. Recently I posted an essay on my website about the use of beauty in photography. Beauty is a promise of happiness. Too often it is a promise unrewarded... a tease.

In fact it is one of many devices we can use to bring our viewer through Zone 1(Craft) and Zone 2 (Aesthetics) to reach Zone 3 (Resonance).  AAAARGH... that all sounds so fancy dancy... sorry. But anywayzzzz.... I like it here that you've roared us through the first Zones into the ambiguities of that resonate where you both suggest a melody, but leave it to the viewer to compose it... That's distinctly cooooool..... 

[aprilS]

Hiya.... I meant the ambiguities to be a compliment.

Oh, I took it as such!

I was simply surprised by your phrase "beginning to think", because it seems an idea that is at the heart of your work.