Nectar flow - there must be a better way

[TwentySixDays]

Hi All,

I have taken this picture of the nectar flowing from a bird of paradise flower.

I have had a play in PSE7 but I am sure the image has more potential.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

No1 - My attempt...

No2 - the original just cropped...

Link to the full flower ...
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=1553225#post1553225

 

[ppp]

Gotta say i like the original as it is, maybe a saturation boost and possibly crop 1cm off the top to just above the top of the blobs

 

[TwentySixDays]

Gotta say i like the original as it is, maybe a saturation boost and possibly crop 1cm off the top to just above the top of the blobs

Thanks PPP, Are these any better.

No3 - More saturated and cropped tighter at the top...

No4 - The oval mask became much thicker than the first so I tried a much narrower cropped with nectar in the centre...

 

[ppp]

yeah but really don't like the oval mask

 

[swag72]

I'm not keen on the oval frame and prefer the original colour version. I can see that there are some nice textures for B&W but the colours outweigh that for me.

 

[Hacker]

I'm not keen on the mono conversion as there are so many good colours waiting to come out, I'm afraid the mask/vignette doesn't suit it either.

I've had a quick go on the colour version, basically just boosted the shadow contrast.

 

[TwentySixDays]

yeah but really don't like the oval mask

I'm not keen on the oval frame and prefer the original colour version. I can see that there are some nice textures for B&W but the colours outweigh that for me.

I'm not keen on the mono conversion as there are so many good colours waiting to come out, I'm afraid the mask/vignette doesn't suit it either.

I've had a quick go on the colour version, basically just boosted the shadow contrast.

Thanks for the feedback, just what I wanted.

Good edit - thanks Colin, I thought there was a picture in there.
When I originally converted to B&W it looked good and I went down that road, but I can see what you mean about the colours.

Stuart