Inspiring Photo: Life Cycle #9050903

Life Cycle [Photography Contest Photoshop & Digital Darkroom]

Uploaded: September 22, 2009 07:21:25

Description

This is the seed pod of an exhausted lotus. I enhanced the color by moving a few sliders around in Adobe RAW 5.4 including the color ones normally used for black and white, saturation and vibrance, with a tad of sharpening.

This was taken with my Canon 100mm Macro Lens.

Entered into DD.

Exif: F Number: 2.8, Exposure Bias Value: -0.67, ExposureTime: 1/1600 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 100.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Comments

Jyri Vissak September 22, 2009 0

Cool find! Beautiful macro. #1183228

Barbara Waldoch September 22, 2009 0

Beautifully captured, Melissa! #7969593

Natasa Mikuz September 22, 2009 0

Beautiful! #7969633

Ray Clarke September 22, 2009 0

Great capture and ps work Melissa.!!!(R) #7969677

Michelle Alton September 22, 2009 0

Fascinating, Melissa. I thought they were some sort of wasp larvae. I'm serious! #7969727

Jeff Robinson September 22, 2009 0

Terrific comp and detail - Great job with this Melissa! Jeff #7969966

Carol Sawyer September 22, 2009 0

Excellent capture, details and work, Melissa!! #7970099

Amy M. Wilson September 22, 2009 0

Excellent colors and clarity... nicely done, Melissa! #7970171

Linda D. Lester September 22, 2009 0

Excellent detail!!! #7970381

Robert R. Goodman September 22, 2009 0

Hi Melissa,Beautiful adjustments.Stunning capture!!!! #7970419

Joy Rector September 22, 2009 0

great shot #7970451

Val Feldman September 22, 2009 0

Beautiful color - both on the lotus pod and the background, Melissa - great work bringing out that wonderful color saturation and of course, wonderful detail!!!! #7970578

ROLAN NARMAN September 22, 2009 0

Fantastic work Melissa! #7970643

Jodi Zimmer September 22, 2009 0

cool design and details #7970726

Melissa G. Meiselman September 22, 2009 0

Thanks so much for taking a look and leaving these wonderful comments!!! #7970760

Tess L. Yee September 22, 2009 0

Wonderful image with great enhancement, Melissa! Gorgeous color & detail!
(exhausted lotus? exhausted Tess, trying to follow some of the post processing techniques that I read about on BP!) #7970948

a2o akmal aini othman September 22, 2009 0

wonderful perspective Melissa! love it! #7971063

Monnie Ryan September 22, 2009 0

Cool, Melissa! It looks very other-worldly done in these shades! #7971117

Margaret R. Barry September 22, 2009 0

Beautiful colors, details and composition, Melissa! #7971146

Tiia Vissak September 22, 2009 0

great colors, details, framing & dof! #7971158

Melissa G. Meiselman September 22, 2009 0

Thanks so much Tess, a2o, Monnie, Margaret and Tiia!! #7971226

Melissa Olsen September 22, 2009 0

Great color and like your edit on this interesting pod. Well done Melissa #7971374

Sirsendu Gayen September 22, 2009 0

Excellent macro. #7971514

Melissa G. Meiselman September 22, 2009 0

Thanks so much Melissa and Sirsendu for your wonderful comments!!! #7971580

Marcel J. Fernandez September 22, 2009 0

A very eye-catching image with wonderful detail and DOF. Splendid work Melissa!

Marcel #7971675

Heidi Knight September 22, 2009 0

Beautiful composed with striking colors ;) #7971721

John Connolly September 22, 2009 0

A remarkable effect and color range Melissa! Your DD work is exceptional! #7971745

Karen Engelbreth September 22, 2009 0

Fantastic flower and capture, Melissa.. #7971777

Courtenay Vanderbilt September 22, 2009 0

Great capture, Melissa, and you had fun in the DD! Looks pretty! #7971804

frank w. degenhardt September 22, 2009 0

Melissa- I have yet to see these amazing pods that look like something from outer space. I find them so fasinating in shape and in colors. Love the angle of your shot and the way you let us look down into the the holes to see the seeds it holds.
Beautiful and fasinating work here my friend.
Have a wonderful day, do enjoy. #7972095

Melissa G. Meiselman September 22, 2009 0

Thanks so much, Marcel, Heidi, John, Karen, Courtenay and Frank for your wonderful comments!! #7972181

Nancy L. Green September 22, 2009 0

Love the vibrance of the colors here Melissa, the lighting and textures are absolute perfection my frined!! <>< #7972241

Kelly S. Cavanaugh September 23, 2009 0

Wow! Fantastic work, Melissa! Gorgeous! #7972582

Melissa G. Meiselman September 23, 2009 0

Thanks so much Nancy and Kelly for looking and leaving these great comments!!! #7972636

Nadya Johnson September 23, 2009 0

Veeeery fascinating shot, Melissa! I do love these lotus pods although of course they're usually brown and this one is rather "psychedelic!" The form is so captivating. Love these colors and the clarity and detail are amazing too! #7972756

Melissa G. Meiselman September 23, 2009 0

Thanks so much, Nadya and Sabrina for taking a look and leaving these great comments!!! #7972828

Howard B. Cheek September 23, 2009 0

Interesting and creative, one must be willing to try new things hey :)
Well done Melissa. #7972849

Douglas Pignet September 23, 2009 0

Very interesting capture, I would never have guessed what this was, great capture with wonderful colors. #7973673

Ellen Hodges September 23, 2009 0

Awesome detail and color, Melissa! Fantastic capture!! #7973729

Ron McEwan September 23, 2009 0

I can see a button showing up under this one Melissa, it is one terrific image, well done. #7974222

Melissa G. Meiselman September 23, 2009 0

Thanks Howard, Douglas, Ellen and Ron for taking a look and leaving these great comments!!! #7974266

Betsy Labuschagne September 23, 2009 0

Gorgeous capture and striking color, so very well done Melissa!! #7975455

Eugenio Diaz September 23, 2009 0

What stunning colour
Super capture!!!
Well presented Melissa!
Fantastic work! #7975686

Melissa G. Meiselman September 23, 2009 0

Thanks so much Betsy and Eugenio for your wonderful comments!! #7976018

ALLEN O. HOWARD September 24, 2009 0

It is beautiful!!! Amazing image, Melissa!!! #7977406

Melissa G. Meiselman September 24, 2009 0

Thanks so much, Allen for this wonderful comment!! #7977783

Leslie McLain September 24, 2009 0

Very cool image with great colors and DOF, Melissa. #7978684

M.Christine Duncan September 24, 2009 0

A remarkable image Melissa, really!!! Love how you worked with the coloring, it accentuates your details wonderfullly... bravo! We'll see this again, mark my word! #7979058

Janet Daniel September 24, 2009 0

Excellent color & dof, Melissa! Sensational macro! #7979812

Murry Grigsby September 24, 2009 0

Wonderful colors that abstract this seed head Melissa! It reminds me of a pound-a-peg game that kids use to have (pre-electronics) :0) I love your results here!! #7980762

Nikki McDonald September 25, 2009 0

The resultant colors are gorgeous, Melissa. Nicely done. #7981148

Lorna Shutter September 29, 2009 0

Wow! What a cool image, Melissa! Very unique and beautiful! Love the colours and your amazing clarity, detail and DOF! Your minor adjustments have made this picture perfect and a definite WINNER in my book!!! :) #7992367

Melissa G. Meiselman September 29, 2009 0

Thanks very much to Leslie, Christine, Janet, Murry, Nikki and Lorna for taking a look and leaving these great comment!!

A special thanks to Christine and Lorna for your predictions!! #7992412

Melinda F. Schneider September 29, 2009 0

Very lovely work! #7994219

Melanie D. Fuelling September 29, 2009 0

This is awesome Melissa - love the colors and the detail. I don't think i've ever seen one of these before . Really, really nice macro!!

#7994664

Melissa G. Meiselman September 29, 2009 0

Thanks so much, Melinda and Melanie for taking a look and leaving these great comments!! #7994828

Joannie Bertucci September 30, 2009 0

Stellar composition Melissa and you've popped the colors perfectly! Congrats on your "colorful" EP! #7997339

Janice Mezzacappa September 30, 2009 0

Awesome macro shot Melissa such sharpness, focus and lighting!! The colours are beautiful, great work!! #7997481

Melissa G. Meiselman October 01, 2009 0

Thanks Joannie and Janice for your wonderful comments!!! #7999093

Debbie E. Payne October 15, 2009 0

Love what you've done with this "exhausted" lotus seed pod. Now, I finally know for sure what this is as I have a few pics of some at the Denver Botanical Gardens. The colors really set it off! #8038901

Melissa G. Meiselman October 15, 2009 0

Thanks so much, Debbie for looking at this, discovering what a lotus seed pod looks like. #8039449

Ruth Grimm October 22, 2009 0

Congratulations on this fabulous finalist, Melissa ! #8059442

Kelly S. Cavanaugh October 22, 2009 0

Congratulations on this fantastic finalist, Melissa! #8059504

Janice Mezzacappa October 22, 2009 0

WTG Melissa!!! Huge congrats on your stunning finalist!!! #8059525

Nikki McDonald October 23, 2009 0

I just love the colors here, Melissa. Congratulations on the finalist and good luck in the next round. #8059622

R. J. Laudenbacher October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations Melissa on this wonderful finalist. Good luck to you in the next round. #8059719

Robert R. Goodman October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations,Melissa!!!! #8059726

Nancyj E. Hovey October 23, 2009 0

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
on your well deserving FINALIST!!! 8o) #8059731

Sharon October 23, 2009 0

CONGRATULATIONS!! #8059952

Debbie E. Payne October 23, 2009 0

CONGRATULATIONS, MELISSA! And good luck in the next round. This is gorgeous. #8059990

Amy M. Wilson October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations on this gorgeous Finalist and best of luck in the next round, Melissa! #8060054

Tommy E. Burgess October 23, 2009 0

Huge congratulations on this beautiful finalist Melissa!! Best of luck in the next round! #8060149

Val Feldman October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations, Melissa! A beautiful capture and a much-deserved Finalist! Best of luck in the upcoming rounds! ~ Val #8060827

Susan M. Campbell October 23, 2009 0

A gorgeous finalist Melissa...congrats! #8060874

Cesar J. La Rosa October 23, 2009 0

A very well-deserved Finalist, Melissa!!!
Congratulations!!!
Cesar #8061037

Carol L. Fowler October 23, 2009 0

Congrats #8061117

Ellen Hodges October 23, 2009 0

Congrats on a fantastic capture, Melissa! Best luck!! #8061267

ROLAN NARMAN October 23, 2009 0

Congrats on your gorgeous finalist Melissa! #8061325

Lorna Shutter October 23, 2009 0

Guess this wasn't just a winner in my book, but in the judges books too!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved Finalist Award, Melissa!!!!! Awesome! :)

#8061359

Alison Krylowski October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations, Melissa! This is a gorgeous image. Such incredible colors! #8061526

Nadya Johnson October 23, 2009 0

YES!! I KNEW IT!! (Well, I can say that now. LOL!) FABULOUS finalist, Melissa!One of my many Faves, so I'm glad to see it wearing silver! A STUNNING capture and I hope very soon it's wearing gold! #8061688

a2o akmal aini othman October 23, 2009 0

Congrats on your well deserved finalist, Melissa! #8061908

Carrie M. Groseclose October 23, 2009 0

CONGRATULATIONS Melissa on your beautiful, well deserved Finalist! YAY!! #8061968

Heidi Knight October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations on your Fantastic finalist!!! #8062179

Stefania Barbier October 23, 2009 0

congratulations on your gorgeous finalist!!! #8062203

Randy D. Dinkins October 23, 2009 0

Well done - congrats! #8062687

Marilyn Cornwell October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations on your finalist!! #8063009

Barbara Waldoch October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations, very well done, Melissa! #8063080

Jean-Pierre Ducondi October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations on your finalist Melissa.
JP #8063172

Carolyn Morgan October 23, 2009 0

So glad this made finalist Melissa - I love the color and think this is a very creative image. #8063329

Tarun Bose October 23, 2009 0

Congrats for your finalist, Melissa. #8063620

Jessica Jenney October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations, Melissa on your beautiful finalist! #8063718

Ujjwal Mukherjee October 23, 2009 0

Terrific finalist,Melissa! BIG congratulations!! #8063770

Linda M. Walker October 23, 2009 0

Awesome details....congrats!! #8063797

Eugenio Diaz October 23, 2009 0

Amazing work and a wonnderful Finalist!!!
Huge Congratulations, Melissa! #8063900

Eugenio Diaz October 23, 2009 0

Amazing work and a wonnderful Finalist!!!
Huge Congratulations, Melissa! #8063901

Leslie McLain October 23, 2009 0

Congrats on your beautiful finalist, Melissa. #8063914

Sheila D. Robertson October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations Melissa! #8064035

Alan Hurite October 23, 2009 0

Great capture Melissa. Congrats on being a finalist. #8064146

Melissa G. Meiselman October 23, 2009 0

A HUGE thank you to all who have sent me these wonderful congratulatory remarks!! I appreciate each and every one!!! #8064187

Nancyj E. Hovey October 23, 2009 0

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
on your deserving FINALIST!!! 8o) #8064449

Max Aureli October 23, 2009 0

Amazing capture and work Melissa!!! Congratulations on this gorgeous Finalist!! #8064589

Renata Gusciora October 23, 2009 0

Huge congratulations on this stunning finalist,Melissa! #8064662

Gina Cormier October 23, 2009 0

WOW....woohooooo!! Congrats on this beauty!!! #8064736

Debra R. Harder October 23, 2009 0

This is BEAUTIFUL, Melissa! Congratulations on your outstanding finalist!!! Deb #8064812

Karacan Salkuci (Kalacay) October 23, 2009 0

Congratulationd on this unusual,special image. #8064985

Melissa G. Meiselman October 23, 2009 0

Thanks so much, NancyJ, Max, Renata, Gina, Debra, Karacan and Christine for these fantastic comments!!! #8065464

Susie Peek-Swint October 23, 2009 0

Great detail and editing Melissa ~ many congrats on your finalist! #8065725

Bojan Bencic October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations on your great finalist, Melissa. #8065803

Janet McNeil October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations, Melissa!!! #8065943

Courtenay Vanderbilt October 23, 2009 0

Fantastic, Melissa! Congratulations!!! #8066014

Melissa G. Meiselman October 23, 2009 0

Thanks so much Susie, Bojan and Janet for your great comments!! #8066016

M.Christine Duncan October 23, 2009 0

Ha ha!!! I KNEW it!!! Congrats m'dear on this amazing finalist... I'm very excited to see this again! Didn't I tell you ;-) LOVE it! #8066025

Carla Metzler October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations on your finalist, Melissa! Great shot! #8066212

Carol Sawyer October 23, 2009 0

Congratulations on all your finalists, Melissa!! #8066241

ALLEN O. HOWARD October 23, 2009 0

This is an excellent finalist, Melissa! Congratulations! #8066254

Melissa G. Meiselman October 23, 2009 0

Thanks so much Christine, Carla, Carol and Allen for your wonderful comments!! I appreciate them all so much!!! #8066485

Maria Morrow October 23, 2009 0

This is an excellent macro,Melissa... congratulations on your Finalist! #8066488

Ken Smith October 24, 2009 0

Very alien like! Congrats Melissa! #8066856

Margaret R. Barry October 24, 2009 0

Congratulations on your fantastic finalist, Melissa! #8066935

Nancy L. Green October 24, 2009 0

Congratulations on your wonderful finalist Melissa, WTG!! <>< #8066961

Joanna Madloch October 24, 2009 0

Congratulations, Melissa, to you too. this image is breathtaking! #8067085

Kathy Coombs October 24, 2009 0

Congrats! beautiful! #8067497

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer October 24, 2009 0

Huge congratulations on all your finalists, Melissa. Each one so well deserved. #8067561

Howard B. Cheek October 24, 2009 0

Congrats on this most unique image Melissa!
Good luck :) #8067911

Jeff Robinson October 24, 2009 0

Congrats Melissa on your Fantastic Finalist! Jeff #8068188

Patrick Rouzes October 24, 2009 0

CONGRATULATIONS on this amazing finalist, Melissa! #8068395

Daniella Puente October 24, 2009 0

Congratulations Melissa is a winner to me! #8068934

Janet Daniel October 24, 2009 0

Congratulations on this beautiful finalist, Melissa! #8069205

Robert K. Bemus October 25, 2009 0

Congratulations on a great Finalist...best of luck in the next round!! #8070088

Erica Murphy October 25, 2009 0

Congratulations on your stunning finalist Melissa!! Well done! #8071186

Melissa G. Meiselman October 25, 2009 0

Thanks, everyone so much for these fantastic comments!! #8071508

Melissa McCabe October 25, 2009 0

congrats on your beautiful finalist!! : ) -mm #8071532

Nancy J. Locke October 26, 2009 0

SUPER CONGRATS on the FINALIST picks, Melissa!!! WOOT!!!

Hugs, Nancy J Locke #8073794

paul parent October 27, 2009 0

stunning #8076801

Tammy Espino October 27, 2009 0

Better late than never, congrats!!! :) #8077194

frank w. degenhardt October 27, 2009 0

Such beautiful work my friend. Congratulations on the Finalist. Way to go. #8078332

Luigi Di Serio October 27, 2009 0

There is something eerie about this... but it is one excellent photo and a deserved finalist! #8079411

Melissa G. Meiselman October 28, 2009 0

Thanks so much, Nancy, Paul, Tammy, Frank and Luigi for your wonderful comments!! #8081069

Dianna Murphy October 29, 2009 0

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
on your wonderful FINALIST!!! 8o)
Happy Halloween! Dianna
#8086303

Jennifer L. Alder November 18, 2009 0

An amazing image, Melissa! Congrats on your Digital Darkroom Feature :) #8141322

Dianna Murphy November 18, 2009 0

Congratulations on being featured Melissa! #8142200

Cesar J. La Rosa November 19, 2009 0

I was very happy to see this beautiful photograph featured on the Digital Darkroom Newsletter today.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Melissa!!!
Cesar #8143208

Leslie McLain November 19, 2009 0

Congrats on being featured in the Digital Darkroom Newsletter, Melissa. #8144227

Anne McKinnell November 19, 2009 0

Beautiful shot Melissa! Congratulations on your feature in DD! #8145417

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