Duke University Gardens

redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
edited April 5, 2011 in Other Cool Shots
Here are a few shots I've processed from a recent visit to the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham NC. I was there on a beautiful spring day, as were lots of families with kids and dogs. I even saw a couple carrying their pet cat! There were lots of photo ops. Please enjoy . . . as always, I welcome your C&C. Thanks, Lauren

1. Bridge in the Asiatic Arboretum, a beautiful and peaceful section of the gardens; I liked the red & purple combo
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2.
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3. I had trouble with the PP on this road, with the blue tones and brightness in the original--how is this?
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4. Another path in the Asiatic section
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5. Redbud tree up close (85mm macro)
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6. Cherry blossoms
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"But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

Lauren Blackwell
www.redleashphoto.com

Comments

  • jirojiro Registered Users Posts: 1,865 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2011
    #5 and #6 are very artistically done. I like it a lot. Awesome work, Lauren. thumb.gifthumbthumb.gifclap.gifclapclap.gif
    Sitting quietly, doing nothing. Spring comes and the grass grows by itself.

    http://imagesbyjirobau.blogspot.com/
    http://500px.com/williebau
  • redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2011
    Thank you so much, jiro! I always appreciate your comments. :D
    "But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

    Lauren Blackwell
    www.redleashphoto.com
  • SnowgirlSnowgirl Registered Users Posts: 2,155 Major grins
    edited April 3, 2011
    I'm with Jiro. I really like the two flower closeups a lot.

    I also like the idea of the road in 3 & 4, but there is almost too much to look at with the variety of trees and colours.

    The bridge in the first one and the juxtaposition of the statue and bridge in the second are both interesting concepts, they just don't grab me the way the two flowers do.

    Beautiful spot!
    Creating visual and verbal images that resonate with you.
    http://www.imagesbyceci.com
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    Picadilly, NB, Canada
  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,955 moderator
    edited April 3, 2011
    It looks like a lovely place. Beautiful flowers and great colors. Like all Japanese gardens, one gets a feeling of tranquility. The processing in #3 looks fine to me, but I would crop a bit off the bottom. I would suggest that the first two would be improved by desaturating and perhaps darkening the red of the bridge a bit. It's so bright that to me it's like a fire engine screaming through, which diminishes the tranquility. Just my € .02.
    My Pics
  • redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
    edited April 3, 2011
    Here is a revision to #1. The red was pretty accurate to what I saw on the day but I understand how the image appeared oversaturated. If it's still too much, let me know. I appreciate any C&C on the remainder of these also. Thanks, Lauren

    1. (Reworked)
    1238052042_Tg9G7-L.jpg

    7. A bit farther away
    1238129749_z3g2M-L.jpg

    8. Same shot in B&W conversion
    1238124403_TY7hm-L.jpg


    9. Some desaturation applied to the redbud tree.
    1238129692_LBAKX-L.jpg

    10. Bridge with people - used a square crop to eliminate some trees on the right
    1238438214_ZoaT5-L.jpg

    11. Daffodil - PP in Topaz Adjust to bring out some detail
    1238128837_zbcM2-L.jpg
    "But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

    Lauren Blackwell
    www.redleashphoto.com
  • jirojiro Registered Users Posts: 1,865 Major grins
    edited April 3, 2011
    I like the edited version of #1, Lauren. Perhaps, a little play on the distribution of light and dark areas (by selective dodging and burning) can add more punch on the image. Just an idea. :D Nice edit, btw. thumb.gif
    Sitting quietly, doing nothing. Spring comes and the grass grows by itself.

    http://imagesbyjirobau.blogspot.com/
    http://500px.com/williebau
  • black mambablack mamba Registered Users Posts: 8,323 Major grins
    edited April 3, 2011
    Hi Lauren,

    I really like this series. The red on the bridge doesn't bother me at all. If that's the way you saw it, that's the way I want to see it too. But then, as you know, I love bright colors. :D The flower shots are standout renderings....love them all. Well done on all accounts.thumb.gif

    Tom
    I always wanted to lie naked on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace. Cracker Barrel didn't take kindly to it.
  • redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
    edited April 3, 2011
    Thanks, Tom! I appreciate your comments very much. You would've loved the redbuds in Durham last week--bright indeed!

    jiro - Thanks for the suggestion. I may play with this shot some more later. I appreciate your help.
    "But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

    Lauren Blackwell
    www.redleashphoto.com
  • TenThirteenTenThirteen Registered Users Posts: 488 Major grins
    edited April 3, 2011
    Ooooh, love love love #6
    Canon Fan
  • redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
    edited April 4, 2011
    Thanks, TenThirteen! I was happy with the way that one turned out.
    "But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

    Lauren Blackwell
    www.redleashphoto.com
  • DogdotsDogdots Registered Users Posts: 8,795 Major grins
    edited April 5, 2011
    Such a beautiful place to be out photographing. I like the BW version the best. Don't know why that is tho.

    Nice to know where this is at. I did a jigsaw puzzle of this bridge awhile ago :D
    Mary
    www.Dogdotsphotography.com
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