It’s been a while since I posted a color version of this image in Lucky Shot (part one), so it seemed about time to share part two. Especially since the 25th is Annabelle’s birthday. Can you believe she puts up with these shenanigans? Me neither – she’s the best – I am a very, very lucky guy! Happy (almost) birthday, Annabelle – I love you!
*note* A few people pointed out (and deservedly so) the apple was getting a bit lost in the b/w version of this image, so I’ve burned it in a bit. Hopefully not too much… I don’t want it to become the focal point of this image, but I definitely wanted it to read better.
About this image: digital photograph – highly modified
Refrigerator Magnate 
I can’t decide which version I like better.
Happy birthday, Annabelle.
Thanks Laura! 🙂
I go back and fourth on that, too.
Thank you, Laura!
🙂
Aww thank you baby! I love you too!!!
🙂
What about me. Where is the love for me??
haha Happy Bday Annabelle. Enjoy!!
Who doesn’t have love for a Bearman?!
🙂
Happy Birthday Annabelle.
Good shot, SIG! (Ambiguity intended.)
Hahaha… thank you very much, S.E.!
🙂
Psst! That’s Nurse Myra’s birthday, too.
I had no idea! How cool is that?!
🙂
This is a bit scary!
I know, Nigel…
and, in all honesty, I’m a terrible archer!
😉
I think I am going to swing in the direction of B&W for this one. I really like the look and feel of this image SIG, very, very good.
A.Wally
P.S best birthday wishs
You are very kind, Astra! I tend to gravitate towards B/W myself!
Thank you again!
🙂
Excellent shot. Nice to share a birthday with you annabelle
Thank you very much!
That is so interesting! Happy birthday tomorrow, N.M.!
🙂
Her eyes are BEYOND gorgeous. Love it.
Aren’t they? Makes the whole thing almost too easy!
Thank you very much, Megan!
🙂
I really like both – color and black and white. These are great! So very cool.
Happy birthday, Annabelle!
That is very kind of you, Ms. D! Many thanks!
🙂
Great photos. both of them. Happy Birthday Annabelle!! Hope you and the Ink man celebrate in style tomorrow. 🙂
Thank you very much, Dishy – you are always so kind!
🙂
Happy Birthday, Annabelle, with many more to come! 🙂
Wild! I actually didn’t notice the fruit on her head until I went back to view the color version. Here, it just looks like she has crazy hair. And I love it! I think I actually like this version better. She’s a great model either way with those striking features.
That’s a very good point…
it might not be a bad idea to try burning-in the back of that apple a bit more in the B/W version.
Thank you very much, U.M.!
🙂
I didn’t notice the apple either until I saw the color version. And I think that’s a difference between the two — this one is more about Annabelle, and the other one is more about the scene. I’m also starting to lean towards liking this version better.
The apple does get pushed back quite a bit in this one, doesn’t it? In a way I don’t mind requiring a bit of investigation to find more background elements, but on the other I can see how they might be too subtle (I guess the trick is trying to keep information readable while not distracting from the portrait). 🙂
Love you say, after trying to kill poor Annabelle with an arrow???? I would sleep with one eye open, no telling what Spilled Ink is plotting next!!!!!
The scary part? I was actually aiming for a pear in another room!
🙂
Blahahahahahahahahahahaaha
I think I prefer the color version on this one, but they both have merit.
You’re pretty lucky Annabelle’s artistic too, and can tolerate/appreciate your creativity!
Happy (almost) Birthday, Annabelle!
Thank you, Binky (I think Annabelle might agree with you)!
Absolutely! *whew*
🙂
The look on her face says it all.
Annabelle is quite the actress, isn’t she?
🙂
This is nice, but the color shot rocks…IMHO. Happy Birthday Annabelle.
Thank you very much, Mr. J! Happy to hear you enjoyed the color version!
🙂
And the Oscar goes to…. Annabelle. Haha, she looks pissed! Happy early birthday!
I’m telling you, she’s too good an actress…
almost makes me a bit nervous sometimes!
🙂
This is lovely. . . I vote for B&W!
Happy birthday, Annabelle!
Thank you very much, Ms. F!
You are very kind!
🙂
Cool but scary..
Happy Birthday Annabelle.
These were originally intended to be reference photos for a painting, but I really liked them as photographs, too.
Thank you very much, Mr. H!
🙂
Excellent shot. I didn’t notice the apple until other people mentioned it, but it’s an intriguing shot without it.
That is very kind, J.P… thank you so much!
🙂
both very cool shots–you’re lucky she puts up with it 🙂 happy birthday to annabelle!
I know! Right?!
Thank you very much, U.M.!
🙂
Is she really putting up with so much? It seems any girl would be flattered to be the muse of such a talented artist. You can tell her I said that if she gives you any trouble.
Thank you very much, sir!
It certainly never hurts to have Greatsby back-up!
🙂
Aw! You guys are adorable!
Gorgeous photo. I’m a sucker for black & white. Is that Cupid’s arrow?
Happy Birthday Annabelle! 🙂
Great call, Y.A.W.!
I think you are absolutely correct!
🙂
Awwww, that’s sweet inky 🙂 I hope Annabelle had a great birthday.
I felt bad because she had to work (although she really likes her job), but I think she had a nice day!
🙂
now, that’s skills! bow and arrow in one hand with a camera in the other. 🙂
To be honest I did cheat a bit…
(I used my left foot, too)!
🙂
Both are beautiful compositions. No doubt, Annabelle is the apple of your eye. Contextually the two images are quite different. In the first the arrow through the apple is the focus of attention with Annabelle’s relationship to them, while in the second, it is Annabelle’s face that is the focal point ( therefore the superior image); the pierced apple is the contextual element. Happy birthday.
Happy Birthday to Anabelle! Is than an arrow near her head? Nice portrait!
It is indeed an arrow through an apple. I originally took these as references for a painting/mixed media piece, but I couldn’t resist messing around with the photos themselves!
🙂
Impressive! I like both of the photos, but the one with the color the most, because you can see the apple and arrow better there. 🙂
Thank you very much, Y.P.!
Many people seem to agree with you on that! I’m thinking about going back into this version and burning in the back of the apple a bit more… it does seem to get a bit lost.
🙂
You’re welcome! And I think that’s a good idea. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful photo, but it would be even more beautiful if you could see the apple and arrow a bit better. 🙂
That’s some good advice, I think… thank you, Y.P.
I did burn the apple in a bit more… I think the trick is to find a nice balance.
🙂
Thanks for all the nice birthday wishes everyone!
I hope you had a nice birthday, Annabelle!
🙂