Azalea Bloom

I posted this pic in the critique section but not getting much of a response so I thought I would get some more opinions. I don't want to take pics that aren't worth taking.

I took a bunch of pictures during the Easter weekend at my parents house of all of the azaleas in bloom. I had a particular like to this image and wanted to see what others think. I took the RAW file and created two images from it. I then copied one into the other and merged the layers with 30% opacity. I ran a Velvia script, followed by a local contrast USM, and then Mike's Framer. Please be honest and let me have it. The shot was taken with my Tamron and it was about as close as I could get.

I like the shot, but might crop it tighter from both sides to emphasize the main subject. Also, I'm not sure the frame adds that much.

I recently took a shot of a pink flower, but alas mine is no good compared to yours.
Well done!!!

I'm dead jealous of your beautiful shot and here is the proof.

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Thanks sparker. I might give that a try tomorrow and see how it looks.

Thank you very much. The lighting plays a big part. This shot was in the shade of some other trees so it was very even lighting. Try taking that same shot in a different time of day and see if you like your results better.

Thanks for the tip Mike.

i love your photo, and have to say, like the frame too. Which brings me to say that i think we should be careful not to fall too much into the trap of critiquing (how do u spell that?) all of our photos, and expecting them to be able to be done better. yes, most could be done better, with better equipment, better lighting, better whatever,(but what is perfect?) but if your photo gives you pleasure, enjoy it for what it is. I have noticed that i now critically judge my photos by a much higher standard, and while that is good, sometimes it leaves me a little flat knowing i could have taken it better, and therefore lose some of the pleasure i would have had from my photos. So, i do the best i can, with the equipment i have. And, people have different tastes, stan doesn't like your frame, I do, so..........If u like it, keep it, or try something else. I am jealous of your editing skills though. Photoshop baffles me too much, i can only do the basics, need to go to photoshop school i think.

Thank you Tina. I believe you are correct that we judge our photos possibly a little too much. It is an easy habit to get in to. I took some more shots this weekend that I might share where I tried some different things and some turned out good and others just OK.

For the record though I am not that good in PS. I only know a limited amount but have just bought a book by Kelby so know I can get better.

I think what it needs is to be darkened down a bit,that would give it a better look and seperate it a bit more from the bg.

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great shot, though I do think Dimitri's version is a nice improvement

yep, have to say wow to dimitri's version

Thanks Dimitri. I played around with that shot a little last night to try and achieve the effect that you have shown. It does look better. I started by cloning out the "spots" on the flower and then adjusted the curves and ran a second pass of local contrast USM. Placed side by side with your version it appears that your color is different, not bad or good, but just different. Can you tell me what you did specifically, if you remember?