YEAR END FAVOURITES

I have been determined to get a result with these Scilly Lilies. The original was off centre. I have to confess that this idea came from the selection committee at our camera club. They asked me to centre it and put the border just as it is. So I re-entered it as a print last week and finally it got 10 out of 10. I did try it again like this on BP but have nothing but an EP.

Orton Effect: Rose on Pink

I don't think I like this one, but I am posting it anyway, after our discussion. I actually went out and laid a quilt behind the flowers (which unfortunately are starting to fade now), but you can see the wrinkles in the quilt, try as I might to smooth it both physically and in PS. I may try again. I Need to use a different lens. The one I used tends to be a bit wide angle and have too much depth of field. I was in a hurry because are losing our light for the day.

OK, I darkened the upper petals a little, but dunno if enough, and lightened and brightened the center of the rose a little. And slightly re-ortonized it.

may 12 flowers

SCILLY FLOWERS

The first five pics are all on Bryher the little island which we stayed on.

1. In the church.

2. There are many flowers all around the Scillies that have either escaped from gardens or from the flower farms. Sorry don't have a name for these ones.

3. I believe these are geraniums. I remember Carole giving us some when we lived at our previous house and they just kept seeding everywhere. But they never grew as big as this!

4. Have been searching for name of these succulents but cannot find it at the moment. They are everywhere growing out of walls and on the ground.

5. Gorse bushes from the top of Samson Hill on a foggy afternoon

6. This last one is on the main island of St Mary's. You can see the ferry "The Scillonian" which comes in from the mainland once a day - weather permitting

Flowers: Cups of Sunlight

Cups of Sunlight, by Mary Stebbins Taitt.

COLOURS - WHITE Scilly Lilies

This was a lucky occasion. I was taking pictures of these lilies and finished and we walked on. Later I found I'd lost a new pair of glasses I'd only just bought for £2.50. So we retraced our steps and found them by the lilies. When we returned the light was so much better. I have never been so pleased to mislay a pair of glasses. By the way you pronounce Scilly as Silly so Silly Lilies sounds good though they don't look silly!

COLOURS - RED poppies

Had this one hanging around so thought I'd cheer you all up.

COLOURS - RED spring burst

Some apple blossom blended with a layer of a macro shot of the inside of a camelia.

Zoom effect brushed out on main flower.