Orchid Critique

Last sat. at the local Orchid Show.
28-105@ 40mm
1/60 sec
f-4.0
400iso
w/flash(420EX)

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That's a beautiful shot, but I think you will agree that there is just too much featureless deep shadow in the lower region. Just a simple crop will get rid of much of it and improve the composition. However, I could also believe that a little scrubbing of the shadows using Image->Adjustments->Shadows/Hightlights in PSCS would also bring up some of the detail in those shadows without seriously affecting the highlights.

ThanksBob,
Actually I burned in the area to make the flower pop a little more. I'm not at home now but I'll make the adjustment tomorrow and re-submit the shot.

Heres another version with a little more detail in the shadows.

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It just doesn't seem to do much for me.

Try removing the other purple flower on the right side and filling in the dead patches on the leaves in the background, it might help minimise the distractions.
and soften the background with a light bluring

Use the one with less detail in the background and crop off the top and the bottom and make a panoramic out of it. My 2 cents.

- d