About the Image(s)
While looking for an opportunity to take flower photos at a local garden, I was ready to leave because the mid-day light was bright and intense making it difficult to obtain adequate camera settings. Then I noticed this very small rose hidden in the shade. I was attracted to the shape of the flower’s petals and the very intense yellow/orange/peach colored center.
Minimal global noise and sharpening adjustments in Topaz, one Lightroom mask applied to the green leaves to darken and soften the background. Another mask applied to the rose to slightly lighten and increase vibrance a little. I applied a third narrow oval radial gradient mask starting from the upper left corner to the lower right corner, then subtracted the rose and increased the temperature slightly.
Handheld full frame camera body with 100-400 mm lens @ 400 mm; 1/400 sec; f/10; ISO 1600.
Sylvia Williams
You have a good eye - nice find! Lovely shot - I love how the outer flower petals are light but toward the center of the flower the petals are more vibrant. Posted: 10/07/2025 19:52:54
Jim Overfield
Sylvia, thank your kind words. Posted: 10/12/2025 13:44:09
Sabine Nehls
Jim, It's autumn here, it's raining, and mostly windy. I look at your rose and think back to summer.
You've done a great job of cropping your subject, bringing it into focus across the frame.
The sharpness is just right, the textures are clearly visible, and the color reminds me of porcelain.
The light-dark gradient draws the eye to the center, and the blurred background
works wonderfully.
With the light, the rose tells me, "I'm a beauty, but I don't boast about it."
Posted: 10/08/2025 20:09:30
Jim Overfield
Sabine, thank you for your descriptive, kind words. Posted: 10/12/2025 13:51:43
Charles Bartolotta
(Groups 11 & 42)Another fine image, Jim. Perfect composition and a great job getting the rose sharp from top to bottom. Posted: 10/09/2025 22:58:07
Jim Overfield
Thank you Charles. Posted: 10/12/2025 13:52:24
Douglas Gerdts
I'll add my voice to the chorus -- it's a truly lovely photo and of a modest rose. You did a masterful job of cropping and framing. Well done! Posted: 10/12/2025 22:02:04
Jim Overfield
Thank you Doug. Posted: 10/13/2025 13:10:57
Yvonne Cary Carter
Jim, I'll chime in too...so delicate. Your post processing really brings out the rose's delicate petal shapes and color. Thanks for sharing your steps. Posted: 10/13/2025 13:22:08
Jim Overfield
Thank you Yvonne. Posted: 10/14/2025 20:06:41
Randy Bell
Jim, you did a great job with this rose. I like the way you brought down the highlights of the background, removing distracting elements and enhanced the flower, leaving the details of the petals very clear. Very well done. Posted: 10/18/2025 04:08:35
Jim Overfield
Thank you Randy. Posted: 10/18/2025 15:01:41
Linda Mui
Jim, you found a real gem in that shade! The soft, creamy white petals with those subtle peachy-yellow tones in the center are gorgeous, and your eye for composition really shines here. Your editing work in Lightroom is masterful-the way you've darkened the background to make the rose pop while keeping everything looking natural is excellent. The selective masking to enhance the rose and then that creative gradient overlay show sophisticated technique. Beautiful capture and processing! Posted: 10/20/2025 17:42:11
Jim Overfield
Thank you Linda for your kind words. Posted: 10/20/2025 21:23:44
