Heidi, Welcome to Group 54. Your image of the flowers is quite peaceful with a dash of mystery thrown in. The idea of adding the woman is an intriguing one, but it's unclear exactly what her role is because she's transparent in parts and opaque in parts. Would it be better if she were in the flower peaking over the edge holding the transparent flower? Just a thought. There are a lot of possibilities worth exploring here with none of them being the absolute right answer. Keep exploring. You're onto something good.   Posted: 10/13/2026 19:12:36

Hi Heidi, and welcome! I love the ethereal feel of the image, and the delicate partially transparent flowers that look so three-dimensional. Calla is the perfect flower for her posture and pose. Like Alan, I've got an urge to move her to stand inside the calla, maybe by adding a semitransparent layer of the petals to partly hide her body and showing clearly only her right shoulder and head emerge from the flower? And maybe show a bit more of her face? On the other hand, the way she is now gives the image a more surreal and intriguing quality.   Posted: 10/14/2026 08:34:58

Heidi, I really like all the elements you've brought together here. These black and white images are spectacular and the background really compliments the flowers. The addition of the young woman takes the image in a whole different direction.

If this were my image I would treat the woman like the central yellow portion of the Calla Lillie (the spadix). I'd hide her legs (behind the vail of the petal, or at least reduce their opacity a lot and have her upper body/face visible where the spadix typically would reveal itself emerging surrounded by the ing white petals. If you weren't keen on taking it that literally I wonder if you just played with having some of the flower cover parts of her and at least partially cover the bottom of her dress as the dark color becomes a strong focal point in the image.   Posted: 10/15/2026 03:11:59

What an intriguing image you have created, Heidi! The flowers are so lovely, and their shapes and petals show beautifully in black and white. I love the overlapping of the translucent petals. The calla lily is a great frame for the woman, and her pose is graceful and serene, just like the flowers.
To my eye, she is not entirely in or out of the calla lily. That doesn't bother me, but the fact that she has nothing to stand on does. Perhaps this is intentional, to add to the surrealism. For me, it is a bit distracting because I keep focusing on that instead of the rest of the image (all of which is actually more interesting than her feet).
Here is what I might consider trying (along the lines of others' suggestions).   Posted: 10/16/2026 17:54:43

Hi Heidi, welcome to the group!

I really like the shapes and transparency of the flowers in this image, as well as the sense of three-dimensionality. I prefer the Peggy version, with the girl emerging from the calla lily.

You have arranged all the flowers beautifully, and the black and white treatment really suits the image. Nicely done!   Posted: 10/17/2026 08:31:57

Thank you so much for the warm welcome! I really appreciate your thoughtful comments and am delighted that you enjoyed the flowers and their transparency. I'm still exploring the image and appreciate your thoughts on the Peggy version-which is stronger than the original. It's exciting to be part of this group, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's work and learning from such a talented group of photographers! All the flowers came from my yard,but I brought them into the studio because there is no wind and light is alway where I put it. I'ts fun experimenting with all the subjects I'd never had time for. Heidi   Posted: 10/17/2026 17:51:28

Thank you, Peggy and all of you for your ideas and encouragement. Here are the PSA54 changes. It's better now.
Peggy, learned a lot recreating the flower. Took a minute-LOL! Thanks!
Brad, lightened dress.Thanks!
Alan, tried to address the opacity issues. Thanks!   Posted: 10/22/2026 20:04:28