Does this background distract?

[ryan s]

I finally got a decent photo uploading site and some new stuff today.

As I was composing this shot, I was paying more attention to focus than what is behind it (extension tubes make focus exacting).

The dark line is a shadow between the siding on our house. Can it be cloned? Please tell me how, if possible (90% PS noob here). So far, it's straight off the camera--any other tips? The power supply on my other PC died tonight, so any PS action will have to wait until I can dig up my spare And this monitor is not calibrated correctly either.

[Palachandra]

ryan s,

I just wish the same dark shadow should be evenly distributed through out the background. Your subject is not much highlighted in that background color (lavender?). Subject seems bit out of focus to me.

[balikian]

Yeah, I think it is distracting. You might be able to keep the dark shadow and extend it to the top and see how that looks. It's weird, I like the background, but you're right, it is a little distracting.

As for the whatever that plant is, I think it could be a little lighter. I think the focus is fine - since the focus is on the tip of the flower and it seems to lead me in that direction - until I get to the dark horizontal shadow, that is.

What is that, anyway? At first, I thought it was hops, then artichoke, then well, that was it, really.

[jiminyClickit]

ryan s,

If your program has some flexibility, and you can Select a rectangular area around the dark band, you can Lighten in +1 steps toward center, then use Color Select (Magic Wand, whatever) to delete all color, then Fill with a Gradient of your original color falling to a slightly darker tone.

[snapdragon]

I MO it is more the crop than the shadow that is distracting & it is a tad too dark ,but has great potecial when you have the time to play with it . , I did a quick crtop & lightened a tad , hope you don't mind , I liked your photo .

[epeyton@tampabay.rr.com]

I love the edits.

[shannonje]

it seems a bit boring. the composition might be more interesting if you took it head on from the front, or slightly from the side.

[melanie2457]

I definitely think it needs a lighter background in order to stand out more.

[ryan s]

Thanks for the comments (and the edits too)!

My computer with PS on it is offcially down for the count And it's not as simple as the power supply

Once I get it up and running again, I will definitely edit and post the results. Thinking of going with a gradient...dark on top or dark on bottom...hmm

I know the picture itself is not exciting, but I just wanted some advice on the PP side of things.

As for what it is...I have no idea. I asked my mom and in turn she asked me "what plant?" It's in the corner between the garage and house, and it's starting to bud again (lower down on stem) even though it 85+ and we've gotten under 3" of rain in the last month.

[subrataofkris]

Hi ryan.

I did the following PS steps:
1) copied to a new layer
2) Added a light (Filter-Render-lighting effects-directional light)
3) Adjusted the levels
4) Made it sharp using unsharp mask
5) Selected the background using pen tool (my favourite) and copied it to another layer
6) In the background layer, I selected the light grey of my choice from the existing
7) Used a gradient from bottom to top
8) Cropped the combined layers to eliminate the bottom foliage

and here it is