# 4482
I spent a couple of pleasant hours at the Arboretum in Webster (Where Life is Worth Living). It’s definitely Spring, which is to say cold and wet, in this part of the country. But warmer weather is not far out of reach and the signs are all around us. It’s a great time to get the camera out and also it’s very uplifting for the spirit, too.
Also, there are two photos that benefited from the newest version of Topaz Black and White Effects 2.1, making an outstanding plug-in even better. Best part: Topaz offers free upgrades for life on all their products. This is not a paid endorsement.
# 4459
# 4454
# 4476
# 4476-2
# 4478
# 4500
#4506
# 4507
PS: Regarding the photo of the house in the last post, I found this photo taken on January 3, 2012 that has the same house in the background. It had the mural painted on at that time and I’m sure that it had been painted at least months before, since no one paints the outside of a house in the Winter months. I mention it only in passing because I was trying to remember when I first saw the painting on it but this is the only clue I could come up with. The file has only basic LR4 edits so please forgive me this one time.
# 6328 2012 01 03
2clicksaway 
Nice ones. I like to see some spring photos.
Thanks, Bente. As soon as it gets warmer we will be seeing more blooms.
Very nice compositions.
Thanks, Emilio.
Nice use of your time, Ken. I can see why you included both the color and B&W versions of some of these. I especially can’t choose between #4506 and #4507: both beauties.
Thanks, Linda. I have set up a preset in the Topaz plug-in to keep the consistency within the series. It’s easy to do and easily customized.
That was a good shoot, Ken. I’m still waiting to get my first proper shoot of Spring. Might manage it this weekend – we have sun, but with it will come lower temperatures and wind. Chilly!
Thanks, Andy. Spring is taking it’s sweet time getting here as well. We’ll just have to wait.
#4476 offers a unique slant on nature.
Was that a pun?
Yes.
I thought so!
Wonderful images. I am particularly fond of #4482.
Thanks, Charles. It’s my favorite also. It got like this by reducing the “Clarity” slider in LR4.
Reducing the clarity can make for flattering portraits of people, because low clarity softens skin details.
Exactly. I used this technique for portraits and used the adjustment brush to bring back sharpness and clarity to the eyes and mouth. It’s very easy and controllable.The adjustment brush is also used for a light tint to the skin tone (sometimes color balance can do this,too) and adding highlight to hair.
I like that one the best too. Good workflow tips in the comments here too. I have been going about that the opposite way – using the adjustment brush over big areas and softening the clarity. Your way makes more sense, and probably uses less memory as well when it comes to exporting or printing.