The Queen
Queen of the Night42 total reviews
Comment from MoonWillow
This sure looks different in the larger version, Cleo. It literally shines like the midnight sun. Beautiful job. How strange that it only opens at night. Makes one wonder just how much we miss because of the dark unless we are looking for it. This flower reminds me of jasmine, how the scent seems the strongest in the evening hours and at night. Beautiful work on this, and super luck in the contest. :)
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2009
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This sure looks different in the larger version, Cleo. It literally shines like the midnight sun. Beautiful job. How strange that it only opens at night. Makes one wonder just how much we miss because of the dark unless we are looking for it. This flower reminds me of jasmine, how the scent seems the strongest in the evening hours and at night. Beautiful work on this, and super luck in the contest. :)
Comment Written 18-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2009
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Thank you so much, Yes this flower is an miracle.Literally changing before your eyes. Nobody who has ever seen it will forget. It is about 8" in diameter when fully open. I stayed up all night and took photos. I will post some more occasionally. The midnight-sun effect is not all mixed media filtering. I 'helped' it a bit with the beam of an handhold flashlight what gave me a kind of 'lantern-effect' in the original photo to start out with.
Comment from focaldot
This is wonderfull photograph of this unique flower, and i like how he is standing along against the black background, really nice highlights on the petals, try to darken the whites, and it would be perfect, I also like the composition here with good texture. Very nice work, all the best for the contest. Would surely do good !
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2009
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This is wonderfull photograph of this unique flower, and i like how he is standing along against the black background, really nice highlights on the petals, try to darken the whites, and it would be perfect, I also like the composition here with good texture. Very nice work, all the best for the contest. Would surely do good !
Comment Written 18-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2009
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Thank you. I will work with the whites. I had it intentionally this way but may over did it. Thanks a lot for your suggestion :)
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:)
Comment from Nelia
Cleo how lucky to actually, not only see this happening before your eyes, but to be clever enough to capture it! Absolutely breath taking! It looks like a lantern! What an exquisite capture!How did u get the glow in the flower? I really love this Cleo!
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reply by the author on 18-Apr-2009
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Cleo how lucky to actually, not only see this happening before your eyes, but to be clever enough to capture it! Absolutely breath taking! It looks like a lantern! What an exquisite capture!How did u get the glow in the flower? I really love this Cleo!
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2009
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Thank you so much. Yes I'm lucky. I have this plant in my garden. I rescued it years ago from a trash pile at the construction site of the new highway. If it doesn't bloom the plant has the appearance of "only a mother could love".
I know it would bloom, I stayed up all night and took a 'few' [100] photos of the ever changing blossom. I will post some occasionally.
The light effect is a private trick I use sometimes. I took a ordinary flashlight as only light source and beamed it at the center of the flower what gives this "lamp light/light bulb" effect to the original photo. Than this effect was enhanced with filters.
It needs a little practice to hold that flashlight [hand, head-shoulder, under arm] and operate the camera to the same time but the effects a worse the effort.
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Thanx Cleo! LOL! Reason I asked is because I have a beaut spider's web 'growing' which I want to photograph...my family is mad at me, because I won't let them dust it away!!LOL! Sounds like u need an extra pair of hands!!
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Don't let anybody touch these webs. Don't your family know that the destruction of spider webs is an affront for a photographer?
Yes I could use an extra pair of hands. But nobody around has patience enough for it.
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Don't let anybody touch these webs. Don't your family know that the destruction of spider webs is an affront for a photographer?
Yes I could use an extra pair of hands. But nobody around has patience enough for it.
Comment from crisnfaith
This is really pretty. Such a waste of a beautiful flower to only be around for one night. The illuminated pedals gives it a soft feeling. I also like the flower against the black background. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2009
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This is really pretty. Such a waste of a beautiful flower to only be around for one night. The illuminated pedals gives it a soft feeling. I also like the flower against the black background. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2009
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Thank you so much for your kind and generous review.
Comment from ZenTrip
Very reminiscent with the strong contrasting light, shape and form of how one should live with passion, cleo - even though the duration may be brief.
You bring the magic and joy of this flower to the forefront with your touch.
Don't know how your feelings with this lovely image could be any more forceful and touching in the way you're photographed it.
You've captured the feeling of this Queen of the Night who reigns only until the morning.
Beautifully rendered.
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2009
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Very reminiscent with the strong contrasting light, shape and form of how one should live with passion, cleo - even though the duration may be brief.
You bring the magic and joy of this flower to the forefront with your touch.
Don't know how your feelings with this lovely image could be any more forceful and touching in the way you're photographed it.
You've captured the feeling of this Queen of the Night who reigns only until the morning.
Beautifully rendered.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2009
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful review.
Who ever saw this cactus blooming will never forget it. Not even in this part of the world with so much of beautiful nature.
The Queen is only a princess in this photo, just opening as a jung teenage girl.
I stayed all night to take pictures. I will post them occasionally.
Thanks for your beautiful thoughts :)
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Most welcome. Looking forward to more of the shots.
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Thanks :)
You have to wait a little longer. We are still in Texas but hope to go home by the end of next week. That picture was the only shot I had with me because I was working on it.
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Sounds like flight-itis to Texas and back with these recurring flights.
Both of you stay well and travel safely.
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Yes it is. I couldn't get a flight for the end by the week but we will go home on Monday. Then we have three months at home. I don't know if My Internet works at home or of the wind damaged my antenna again and I have to call the company. I may not on line right away.
Comment from khoffman1701
Fantastic picture. I love what you've done with it to make it glow and just pop out of the black background. Great detail in it, Thanks for sharing!
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2009
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Fantastic picture. I love what you've done with it to make it glow and just pop out of the black background. Great detail in it, Thanks for sharing!
Comment Written 17-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2009
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Thank you so much for your kind and generous review.
Comment from shiloh106
Oh my what a terrific image! Cleo you have created a real beauty. The light is so brilliant the flower just seems to be illuminated from within and I can really see how it got the name Queen of the Night because it does seem like royalty. It so sad that it only gets to live for one night but that also makes it even more special.
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2009
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Oh my what a terrific image! Cleo you have created a real beauty. The light is so brilliant the flower just seems to be illuminated from within and I can really see how it got the name Queen of the Night because it does seem like royalty. It so sad that it only gets to live for one night but that also makes it even more special.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2009
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Thank you so much. My only light source was an ordinary handhold flashlight what I pointed at the center of the flower. This inner glow was treated with several filters to the current effect. To see this rather unattractive cactus blooming is a experience never to forget. I toke about 100 pictures through the night and will post some from time to time.
Comment from lorac1
This is a striking picture of a glowing cactus flower. The colors are bright and harmonious and the lines of orange color are beautiful. You did very well to place the flower on a black background, making a lovely composition.
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2009
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This is a striking picture of a glowing cactus flower. The colors are bright and harmonious and the lines of orange color are beautiful. You did very well to place the flower on a black background, making a lovely composition.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2009
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Thank you so much for your lovely review.
Comment from tortogle
This is amazing how this flower looks like it's an electric light. I really like how it is contrasted on the black background. Great concept, lighting and clarity.
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2009
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This is amazing how this flower looks like it's an electric light. I really like how it is contrasted on the black background. Great concept, lighting and clarity.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2009
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Thank you so much. The light effect is archived by shining a handhold flashlight into the center of the flower an later enhanced with several filters.
Comment from Dazzleme
this is so interesting when I read y our notes about this cactus! The background has worked well for this and your technique is excellent. Nicely done with the presentation and the lighitng especially for this.
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2009
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this is so interesting when I read y our notes about this cactus! The background has worked well for this and your technique is excellent. Nicely done with the presentation and the lighitng especially for this.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2009
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Thank you so much. I archived the lighting effect by shining a flashlight in the center of the blossom and enhanced it with filters.