Carol Sheppard  


Morning in the Garden by Carol Sheppard

October 2026 - Morning in the Garden

October 2026 - Carol Sheppard

Original

About the Image(s)

This is a lens baby image...so it was taken at ISO 800, 1/2000, but that's all the settings I can tell you about the camera itself. Aperture was at 4 on the Lensbaby, in order to get some "glow" but not too much. This was handheld and unfortunately, another windy day here, with bright sunshine. So my main goal was to hold onto my reflector while taking the shot. While the background was okay, I decided to add a softer background/vignette using one of my own bokeh textures. The main things I did were to do a little burning and dodging and, ultimately, cloning, to remove some very bright spots. You can see from the original that the changes were very subtle ones. I'm very open to suggestions for this.


12 comments posted




Margaret West   Margaret West
I like the soft edges and your background more which is softer and lighter. Beautiful Dahlia photo!   Posted: 10/04/2026 17:47:50
Carol Sheppard   Carol Sheppard
Thank you, Margaret!   Posted: 10/18/2026 16:47:58



Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
Dahlias are my favourite flower, so no bias here!

I think you improved the original, as the softness and decrease in contrast suits the flower.   Posted: 10/07/2026 06:48:39
Carol Sheppard   Carol Sheppard
Thank you, Stuart!   Posted: 10/18/2026 16:47:45
Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
We've been in a National Trust garden today, which makes a show of a long line of dahlias, they are superb. Alas, I mainly took close-ups and macros, but I did find one view of most of it. They were on both sides of the path

  Posted: 10/18/2026 19:30:37
Comment Image
Carol Sheppard   Carol Sheppard
Looks like a wonderful place for Dahlia lovers! Thanks for sharing that!   Posted: 10/26/2026 13:10:53



Gloria Grandolini   Gloria Grandolini
Gorgeous photo Carol, your edits soften and enhance the image. You gave the flower a dreamlike feeling.   Posted: 10/18/2026 14:57:11
Carol Sheppard   Carol Sheppard
Thank you, Gloria!   Posted: 10/18/2026 16:47:29



Jeff Fleisher   Jeff Fleisher
Very nice photo and the reflector makes a huge difference. Excellent use of the reflector to soften the shadows. Very colorfull!   Posted: 10/19/2026 01:41:36
Carol Sheppard   Carol Sheppard
Thank you!   Posted: 10/26/2026 13:11:38



Mike Cowdrey   Mike Cowdrey
A nice subtle movement from soft to sharp central image. Colouring is also super. There is a slight overlighting in two of the most central fronds on the left, which perhaps could be slightly darkened? And this image is crying out for a thin frame. Lovely work!   Posted: 10/25/2026 08:18:25
Carol Sheppard   Carol Sheppard
Yes, I see that now! Thank you for pointing that out…I will fix it.   Posted: 10/26/2026 13:12:34



 

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