Brush
by darcy

Comment by dirtkahuna:
A unique perspective on a familiar item.

Magic Mushroom
by darcy

Comment by darcy:
Thanks for the great critique, Deannda.

To answer a few of your questions, and to be clear, I did not "mold" the shape in PS. In upping the contrast, the shape formed itself. I used the eraser tool to clean off some of the colored fringing around the stem. The dodge tool was used to bring out the colors around the cap. I consider this photo-editing, quite different from digital art. I did not make this mushroom in PS, I brought it out in the image more clearly.

Funnily enough, you weren't the only person to see this as a floor to wall shot. It was actually a wall to ceiling shot. The slats are on the ceiling, the light is a fixture mounted to the wall. I kind of liked the slats as the helped me see the definition of the cap, contrasting it from the stem more. I do see your point about the blown out light - I'm typically a little less concenred about issues like this in photography, but appreciate the comment nonetheless.

Thanks again!

Magic Mushroom
by darcy

Comment by Neuferland:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

I really liked this shot during the challenge, it made me stop and look twice which is always a good thing. Get them to think and look at it again. Reading the description of what you did in the comments I have to wonder just what the original shot looked like and how much PS work you did to it to help create this shape. But from what I see you did more to clean it up than create the shape itself, right?

As for the shot, the light is set up perfectly in the center offering the viewer a starting point but then the light right there is so blown it's a bit distracting in the end. The way it comes across the floor and onto the wall is very flowing and works very well but the slats on the wall are also a bit distracting. Is that a mounted light or could you move it and try it on a solid wall? I like the basebroad across the bottom, it provides the seperation of the stem of the shape to the top of the shape. The coloration and light are very well done.

Good Luck In Future Challenges!

Deannda
DNeufer@stny.rr.com if you have any questions or want to discuss this further!

Caps
by darcy

Comment by irispetra:
Good image, nice shadows, interesting colour contrast, good composition, simple without being boring.

Caps
by darcy

Comment by lmatranga:
Nice clarity!

Caps
by darcy

Comment by vien:
I like the lighting here a lot. I wonder if you reduce DOF, would it add more feeling to the photo?

Magic Mushroom
by darcy

Comment by buzzrock:
What is it? Well it doesnt matter, I like it alot- 10

Magic Mushroom
by darcy

Comment by kirbic:
Perfect for for this challenge, very original. Is the light on a wall or a floor?

Magic Mushroom
by darcy

Comment by Dave Gordon:
Great concept, and an interesting shape. I think the slats and molding in the ceiling detracts from the overall effect - it becomes more of a subject than the mushroom shape.

Magic Mushroom
by darcy

Comment by ursula:
Nice!