Thanks to low temps, another idea for #13

[divamum]

Went out onto the deck this morning and there on the table were these sheets of ice with leaves frozen into them. I couldn't resist!

Here's the current entry:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_imK9wTzuQIU/SShYUFGfMFI/AAAAAAAAC-8/SnXUz-cbL00/s512/snowrosesvignette1.jpg

And here are the new kids in town. Minimal processing on these, I'm happy to say - this is just what it looked like!
#1
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_imK9wTzuQIU/SS9DJQ3NbII/AAAAAAAADDw/egQjvFVwcho/s640/iceleaves-1ss.jpg

#1 was actually the first shot I took... and as soon as I'd snapped the pic the piece of ice melted just enough to fall off where I had it propped on the deck rail and shattered on the ground (so it's a good thing the first one was decently exposed and in focus!!). Fortunately, later I discovered another piece and had another go.

#2
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_imK9wTzuQIU/SS9FYWJlnUI/AAAAAAAADD4/sRs7GR5FmWE/s640/IMG_0843s.jpg

SHould I stick with plan A, or work with one of these? There's another one where I managed to get some stars through the ice - it's neat, but seems there's too much wrong with it between the blown highlights and slightly odd composition to use as an entry, I think. However, I'm open to persuasion :)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_imK9wTzuQIU/SS9H4IR1e7I/AAAAAAAADEY/mVQjqjer4SY/s640/iceleaves-8.JPG

[VisualXpressions]

I like the leaves a lot better than the rose bud... the first or the last... can't decide which I like better... :dunno

Winston

[annaelycm]

Absolutely love the first leaves picture!

[anonymouscuban]

Wow... I really like three new shots better than your original entry. Only problem.. I can't tell you which one I like better. All three fit the clarity part of the challenge, but three also fits the theme of diffused. :scratch

[Gastrocnemius]

I like the story behind shot No.1, a transient event frozen in a photograph.

Number 3 is more dramatic. Both beat the rose bud IMO.

It is interesting to see your ideas developing

[pyroPrints.com]

#1 is absolutely gorgeous, with #3 coming up right after it

[richtersl]

All three new attempts are very good! :thumb

#3 is very dramatic. I like the star effect you achieved and don't care about the blown highlights because IMO they're part of the composition. But there's no telling that a judge is going to feel the same way. :dunno

#1 is an attention grabber as is. You have dramatic color and texture working in your favor.

#2 might benefit from a crop. You have a bit too much dead space on the left so I'd try playing with several crops to see if any of them work for you. The ice texture in #2 is pretty interesting to look at.

[divamum]

Wow - I didn't expect such a strong reaction! :barb Thanks, everybody - really appreciate the feedback. Now, I just have to decide which one to use...

Btw, I only got those stars because of reading around in here - I don't even remember the thread, but somebody described *exactly* how to do it, and it stuck in my mind so I stopped 'er down to 22 and had a go! I sure wish I'd had the first piece of ice to do stars with too (the leaves were so much better compositionally spaced!) but such is life.

Thanks all! :thumb Now to decide which one to use....

[pyry]

I'm torn between #1 and #2. I like the smooth clear ice, but a peak around the ice like in the second gives a bit of context.

[divamum]

I'm torn between #1 and #2. I like the smooth clear ice, but a peak around the ice like in the second gives a bit of context.

Thanks! I think #1 of the leaves is still my favorite, but I also did some work on one of the other star shots and came up with this:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_imK9wTzuQIU/STCJh7WqF1I/AAAAAAAADGU/LqAFhycVe74/s640/starleaves.jpg

Any better?

[pyry]

Thanks! I think #1 of the leaves is still my favorite, but I also did some work on one of the other star shots and came up with this:

Any better?

I can't help thinking the ice should be clearer..
However, make it a square crop by losing the right hand side and the comp should be pretty much bang on.

[KCBearcat]

I can't help thinking the ice should be clearer..
However, make it a square crop by losing the right hand side and the comp should be pretty much bang on.

:agree What he said. :)