Arum Lily

The steps to editing a flower image

First of all framing...why have I framed the image like this? Have I left enough of the Lily and why is the petal curve going right through the centre? I liked the curve of the leaf under the flower and the way it created an interesting line through the image and also supported the centre of the flower.
What is the focal point and how can I emphasise this? Here of course the flower centre is the feature of the image which I have emphasised by highlighting the main leaf curves and by sharpening and highlighting the central petal edges. I sharpened with a high pass filter and only brushed in the areas I wanted, this keeps the sharpened areas much cleaner.
So I think this looks good and then I look at work by Mandy Disher and I say oh...

Flowers, portraits, portraits, flowers???

It is often a dilemma 

What to photograph?

The advice so often is to specialize...that way you will be more skilled at what you do.

I have decided the best thing to do is photograph what you love to look at. The diversity, intricacy and magic of flowers and the details of nature always touch my heart. So I will photograph these things.

And people, faces, emotion, fabric, movement, light, and the purity of a portrait image. I love these things. And so I will photograph them.

But really my true love in all this is bokeh and shallow depth of field. As shallow as I can get it. I love the variety of colours that turn up within the blur. Although I must admit catching that perfect point of focus can be quite elusive. I love this image but I can't help thinking if that focus had just touched the next petal as well I would be happy.

'Create the Incredible' workshop competition

The 'Create the Incredible" competition run by Sue Bryce Photographer.

This is my entry. The image on the left is by Sue Bryce. The others are my composite images.The one in the middle was my actual entry in the competition but after viewing all the other entries today I decided mine was too bright and neat so I have reworked it adding texture darkness and light and just made it a bit more about the figure in flight rather than the environment. Thank you to Sue Bryce and Lara Jade for the workshop and the inspiration.

See this workshop at http://www.creativelive.com

and also all the entries at  'Create the Incredible'.

Weddings, parties ...

Just a few of my favourite edits from Sean and Emma's wedding.

Such a privilege to be there.

My favourite shot of the day.

I love the separation of colour and black and white

Gorgeous

Having fun and getting carried away with Photoshop

The lolly buffet

Teen Beauty

Some people are just beautiful.

Teen Portraits and Urban images

Photographing young people through their teenage years is a beautiful thing. 
 First of all they are beautiful. They are also so interesting. 
They have such ideas, such honesty and such clear opinions.

My teen images are designed and styled by the young people themselves. 
I discuss with them the images they love, and the way in which they would like to see themselves.

"Best Friends"

Photographing friends, and friendship and laughter in beautiful afternoon light.

"Friends" in pastel on paper

 Portraits in pastel, acrylic and oil paint are designed sometimes from a single photograph 
but more often they are composites using many reference images.
The pastel image "Friends" is about the companionship of friendship 
and the freedom of the summer ahead.

"Golden Girls in the Australian Sun"

"Golden Girls" is painted in acrylic on canvas and is about being 13. 
The summer of leaving childhood behind and moving towards the teen years.

Beauty and Glamour

Glamour and Beauty photography is making a beautiful comeback!

This type of photography is so fun, for me as well as for my client.

Amazing window light!