Variations on a Theme

[mj702002]

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6428/a3mglo.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/i/a3mglo.jpg/)

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3344/a2msofo.jpg (http://img46.imageshack.us/i/a2msofo.jpg/)

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2483/a1mcosat.jpg (http://img253.imageshack.us/i/a1mcosat.jpg/)

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/3544/arose1bw.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/arose1bw.jpg/)



http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/523/arose1bwsoftfr.jpg (http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/523/arose1bwsoftfr.jpg)

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/3844/a4mbw.jpg (http://img13.imageshack.us/i/a4mbw.jpg/)
The basic exif:

Aperture: f/10.0
Exposure time: 10
Lens F-Number: f/10.0
ISO: 100
Whitebalance: Manual
Exposure: Aperture-priority AE

[Kaye]

Hi MJ,
Great to see you posting again.
I thank your for your help on FB, and hope that this prompted you to again post some of your beautiful work here.

I really love these shots. Initially, I thought there was only No. 1 which I really liked, but then I reached No. 2.....
I just love No. 2 for it's general softness, but with the main focus on the centre of the Rose. Just beautiful.

And Nos. 3 & 5 also stand out for me. I love the partial colour in 3 and the B&W in 5 is well done IMO.
No. 3 I feel shows brilliant detail.

If I had to choose between 4 & 5, my preference would be 4.

[DoctorJazz]

Hi MJ,

What a treat to see this series....there is so much to take in with these, I may have to take several looks, but WOW on your creativity and artistic touch.
I love the color and soft light of the first rose against the detail of the ice, and then the change in focus in the 2nd is also beautiful.
The third seems to show off the detail in the rose more than the full color.
I love how you changed the focus between 4 + 5...I like them both, and maybe lean toward 5 for the dreamy feel.
Then the B+W is amazing....I love the shapes and detail that you bring out with this version, and the light looks gorgeous.
Thank you for sharing this work!!! Looking forward to more!!

[mdonahoe1]

MJ,

I particularly like the first and last of these! Really beautiful!

Marianne

[Geneo]

All aren't bad, but that first one is a knockout.

[Bambe]

as everyone has said, every one of these photos has something to offer! For me, I love the first and the last ones.

[shirlm2]

Hi MJ these are gorgeous shots, I have been back a number of times to have a look. Each has something different to offer & I love your use of the ice to make such a wonderful background.

Of the coloured shots #2 is my preference, I just like the softness of this with the focus on the rose centre.

#3 is my overall favourite. The gradual change from colour to B&W is so subtle that I missed it initially. I really like the detail of the rose in this one as well.

Of the B&W images I prefer #4 & 6 with the greater DOF & more detail to the rose. I think #6 has a slightly better composition but it’s hard to choose. Great shots.

[kinetic]

Hi Mj…I do believe these go a bit beyond "aren’t bad"…but then the proof of the pudding is in the eating, as is the proof of the photographer is in the photos they show and you have show us you can do just that Mj
Mark

[Patrish]

What a lovely series of shots, MJ! They are all beautiful, but I particularly like 1, 3 and 6.

[mj702002]

Hi Kaye
Im glad you seemed to enjoy looking as much as I enjoyed working on these!!

Sandy- Thank You so very much! I couldn't decide which I liked, which is why I posted them all! The ice- that isn't ice- I got the idea after reading through that website Mark posted 'Master of Floral'-he had given a brief description of how he made one of his backgrounds...and I had to try it! And thanks for explaining why and what you liked about the different ones...It really helps knowing what others see and interpret!

Hi Marianne, Thank You!!!

Geneo..Well Thank You...Now...What do you mean by 'aren't bad'?? Is there something I could have done differently? We are all here to learn and improve so if you have a 'nit';) with what I did, Please make a post with one of your shots and show me/everyone what you would do!!(of course with a 'how you did it') Im all for learning new stuff and ways to improve!!

Hi Bambe Thanks!! Yes, that is why there are soo many variations...just got playing and couldn't stop!

Hi Shirley!! Thanks, If I had to say what made me work on these it would have to have been a combination of your post a few weeks ago(playing with light) and along with the one I had just read by Mark (master of floral).
Thank you very much for explaining what it is you prefer in each!

Mark-THANK YOU!!

Hey Patrish-Im glad you liked them...any particular reason why you like 1,3,6 more?

[Patrish]

MJ, it's the super-sharp and focused views of these three that attract me to them. That's just me, of course.

If there's one thing I've learned about photography, it's that everyone views a photograph differently, and what appeals to one person may not be another's cup of tea. But that's a good thing! Life would get pretty boring if we all liked the same things.

[shirlm2]

Hi Shirley!! Thanks, If I had to say what made me work on these it would have to have been a combination of your post a few weeks ago(playing with light) and along with the one I had just read by Mark (master of floral).
Thank you very much for explaining what it is you prefer in each!



Hi MJ I am overwhelmed that my post inspired you a bit. Thank you so much.:D

[mj702002]

Hi Patrish- Thanks for coming back and saying 'why'...really appreciate it--I know everyone has different likes and dislikes-its still nice to know what and how it is viewed!

[easypickings]

A very nice set..I especially like the first and fourth.. the silvery tones of your conversion are sweet.

[wanda]

Really nice mj, love 1 and 3. Great light and colour, well done

[coffee]

Great series MJ. I just love what you did with 2. Breathtaking really. Congrats.

[mj702002]

Sorry for not responding...Thank You very Much EasyPickings, Wanda, and Joseph...I had fun working with those!!

[jonrayner]

First and last for me. The first for its colour and the last for the textures, tones and shape. Fantastic, love them.
Jon