Stargazing

[tiggrtoo]

Hello, this is my first posting in this forum. I shot this stargazer lilly at a local greenhouse and nursery using available natural lighting. My specific question is- are the stem and leaves in the lower right a distraction? Should they be cloned out? I appreciate any feedback regarding my images. Thanks for looking.

[natek313]

First off, welcome to DPS.

I really like this shot. The colors are wonderful, and the black background really helps the colors to pop.

To me, the stem and leaves you asked about are not distracting to me at all. For me, it gives the photo some depth and context. Also, they're in shadow, which doesn't take any attention away from the actual flower.

Nice job.

[subrataofkris]

Welcome to this forum tiggrtoo, the colors in your lily are bright and beautiful, focus is sharp and its a good shot. Coming to you question, you should not clone out the leaves and stem, that exercise will leave the flower dangling in the air. Normally its a good practice to have a few of out of focus secondary subjects like leaves, buds etc. In this case, I did not like the petal getting cropped out in the left. If you have a bigger original, you can lower the flower and turn it slightly anticlockwise, this will bring the center of the flower towards the lower right hand corner.
Cheers,

[JKJD]

Beautiful color on this flower. I didn't even notice the stem and leaves at first. The flower is so vibrant that it draws the eye right to it. I think it's fine to leave them in for perspective. Very nice shot

[mike1187]

I think I'd leave the leaves there... but I think I'd rather see them fill the entire area between the 2 petals.

[bcoors]

I think the stem and leaves add natural support and would not be noticed if attention was not called to them. I like the colors set to a black background. Beautiful photo.