Adios senorita
Sad to say I’ve literally only had a passing acquaintance with Camellias. My young ‘Senorita’ x williamsii blossomed well in its first year, last February and then with a re-pot in ericaceous compost gradually faded away, leaf by green leaf over the summer. I suspect I did not water it enough and rainwater is recommended for these lime haters. Since then I’ve considered purchasing a japonica variety but the cost prohibits experimentation, especially without a garden!
I make do instead with appreciating the displays in public gardens and on a clear but temperate winter’s day, the camellias of Kenwood House, Hampstead did not disappoint. Never before have I noticed how they sparkle with winter dew as air condenses on the cold, waxen blooms, glistening like candyfloss threads or crystalline whites.
Candyfloss
Reviewing the photos later I was somewhat disappointed to see how a modicum of camera shake combined with a lack of focus had dulled the droplets. But a moment of serendipity with Photoshop brought forth a solution and a totally new understanding and acquaintanceship with the HIGH PASS FILTER.
1. Duplicate the Image Layer
2. Click on the duplicated layer and select Filter Menu/Other/High Pass. Setting the radius to 10 pixels is about average and clearly shows the function of the filter as delineating edges with shading (and some ghosting).
3. For illustrative purposes, the above high pass filter is confined to the centre square with the opacity set to ‘Overlay’. Enlarge the image to see how the overlaid opacity of the filter only adds a quiet modicum of depth and clarity between the original and the modifed square.
The High Pass filtered layer can be set to different opacities with ‘Hard Light’ dramatically increasing the effect. Thus in this macro, the waxen textures are postitively crystalline and the flower anthers crisped and cut.
The clarity of the drops on this fuschia bud needed just a slight polish with a 5 pixel High Pass and Soft Light opacity to make them shine.
Relating my new acquaintance with the photoshop High Pass filter is a long-winded way of joining Katarina for this week’s Blooming Friday theme.
Coming Soon to this Blog: Am following the idea of Donna@Gardens Eye View to end by giving notice of forthcoming posts. Here’s a clue:
“I know quite enough of myself”, said Bella, with a charming air of being inclined to give herself up as a bad job, “and I don’t improve upon acquaintance…” Our Mutual Friend
Yes its Dickens’ bicentenary year and I’ll be reacquainting myself with his illustrious descriptions and seeking out the nooks and crannies of London that his characters frequented.
I too have a brief acquaintance with camellias, as our north wilts soil is also of the alkaline variety, but I love them. They are like confectionary flowers, all sugar frosting and candy colours. I admire you photo shop skills! I can’t get to grips with PS. It always seems more complicated that it needs to be.
Judith read my post..st. martin’s bremhill
Hi Laura,
Camellias are beautiful and something I used grow. Sadly the rabbits constant digging did them no favours, so they are but a distant memory.
I bow to your superior knowledge re photo shop…..just the thought sends me running to the hills :0) Beautiful images.
Have a lovely weekend, everso clever friend
This makes me wonder whether my photo editing software has such a doohickey… Gorgeous pics!
The Sproutling read my post..Oak avenues, hedging and frozen toes.
Mmhmmm…love that high pass filter! The little drops are magical in the last shot.
Cat read my post..Tick Tock…
Hi Laura, I could use a filter like that. Lovely images of Camellias. They are blooming in a nearby college conservatory and friends greenhouse. I so enjoy them as cut flowers in the winter.
Carolflowerhill read my post..Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ American Painted Lady
I’ll look forward to the Dickens!
Elephant’s Eye read my post..Seven steps built by a mud wasp
me too Diana, if I can be inspired enough to formulate a regular series for the rest of 2012
The fuschia drops are positively thirst-quenching.
Takes me back to your post last year picturing camellias after the tragedy in Japan …
b-a-g read my post..Nicotiana (26 JAN 2012)
spot on b-a-g and thus the loss of the camellia is trivia. Went to a recent talk at the Japanese society here and away from the news the rebuild is slow but sure and still so desperate.
I would love to grow Camellias but have the wrong soil – the droplets on the fuschia bud are divine – lovely
Rosemary read my post..Galanthus – Snowdrop
I grow a beautiful and very healthy camellia on my slightly acid soil. Unfortunately it hides behind a huge barrage of bags with stones in them which I understand will definitely be used for something, sometime, possibly this century.
welshhillsagain read my post..What do you wear when gardening?
those stones could be just the protection the camellia is thriving on Elizabeth. You might have to leave them there
Hi Laura, I have a lovely camellia which came with the house, don’t know how old it is but probably around 30 years. It flowers prolifically every spring, but with the temperatures we have had the last 2 weeks in London I don’t think I will see any flowers just yet!
Loved your photos, as always
Helene read my post..Plantaholic’s season
I love camellias. I lost two last year due to our drought.
That Candyfloss is just gorgeous! It always amazes me the things that photoshop can do. I may have to give it a try.
HolleyGarden read my post..Looking For Signs
- sweetshop blooms and eye candy for the artist Judith
- not so clever Cheryl as been a photoshopper for years without realising what high passing did til now
- now a doohickey filter sounds perfect, Sproutling
- hmm Cat doubt your images need much polishing
- best place for them Carol as the blooms commonly brown off with rain, wind and thaws
- Rosemary they grow well in pots as long as you put the right (ericaceous) soil in there
- your Camellia obviously loves the locale Helene. Due snow today so might bring them on
- what a shame Holley. Those tough leaves belie their thirst levels.
wonderful pics and I do need to get Photoshop when I have more time to play…love hoe the high pass brought out those droplets…I absolutely adore Dickens…what a grand idea ..can’t wait to visit Dickens London through your blog…thx for the nod
Donna@Gardens Eye View read my post..End of the Month Review-January
I think I need to install PhotoShop on my computer. I have a rather rudimentary photo editing program that allows cropping and other slight adjustments, but PhotoShop would provide so many more options. The Candyfloss Camellia is lovely! I’ll look forward to the Dickens tour!
PlantPostings read my post..A terrarium for every room
I’ve made a suggestion about following trees. It would be interesting to know your thoughts.
Lucy Corrander read my post..I’M A TREE FOLLOWER – WHAT ABOUT YOU?
glad to see you’re getting the tree logs rolling Lucy – will be following in the wake with my Wych
Donna and PP – be warned that photoshop is a mesmeric time consumer. At least Dickens is educational as well
I’ve never grown camellias, I’ve always found them too fussy for my liking, but I do love your photos, and that is a nice trick with photoshop. Sadly I only have the cut down ‘elements’ version so can’t play…
Love the Dickens quote – will look forward to the post!
Janet/Plantaliscious read my post..A little bit of magic
Camellias grow well in these parts – must consider introducing one to the garden. Wonderful work on the photo Laura
Look forward to your Dickens post – was reading today the results of a poll of his favourite characters.
Anna read my post..Too Much Information
- your lens looks like it needs no polishing Janet
- a Lady of the Camellias, Anna?
My only acquaintance with camellias are in blogs! It’s too cold here for such lovelies, but I’m enjoying seeing them anyway. Thanks for following my new blog!
RobinL read my post..Frosty Start to the Day