dogwood in my backyard

[kelly]

I really like this one. I can't tell you why. I am usually taking shots of my kids. Any advice is appreciated. thanks!!

[christopher.protagonist]

Did you blur the background in photoshop? It seems like there are remnants of a mask around the branches and flowers. If not, that's some kinda bokeh you got there.

[kelly]

All I did in photoshop was the exposure. Is bokeh good or bad? I have never heard that before!

[tattoodjay]

Originally Posted by christopher.protagonist

Did you blur the background in photoshop? It seems like there are remnants of a mask around the branches and flowers. If not, that's some kinda bokeh you got there.

Sorry ignorant newbie question here I have seen Bokeh mentioned a few times and have no idea what it means.

[Saralonde]

Yes, bokeh is generally a good thing. It is that out of focus background in your image caused by a shallow depth of field when you use a wide aperture. It helps highlight your subject by not competing with it. Works very nicely for portraits also.

[jiminyClickit]

kelly,

The branch on the left would have been a good part to keep, and the cutoff bloom at the bottom a good thing to lose. The left side messes with the composition so that the wonderful simplicity and color of the rest is compromised. I almost really enjoy seeing this one.

[Tomcat's Baby]

Beautiful shot! I love the sharp focus on the bloom with the blurred background. And the fact that the focal point of the picture is to the side rather than in the center is a marvelous stray from the boring norm. It would've been interesting if you could've gotten the rest of the branch on the left instead of cutting it off. It almost seems like the pic abrubptly ends... Like you're not seeing all of what could be. Otherwise, great shot!!!

[marc_714]

Nothing to sugest to make it better. I think it is about perfect

[kelly]

thank you so much for your input! I agree about the branch being cut off so Iwas trying to be extra careful today when I went to the Erie canal to shoot! It really made a huge difference in how I saw the "shot" thanks again!