Altered Reality

I have said that because the human brain doesn't see frames around things, photographers manipulate reality simply by framing a subject and clicking the shutter. I have also said that as a rule, I don't like to use software (such as Photoshop) to further manipulate reality.But guess what? I have been learning new things in Photoshop and this tulip photo and the one from yesterday are results of fairly heavy "altered reality." What have I done? It involves layers and blending options.But forget about that. Instead, I hope you like the dark, mysterious look and the deep tones of the reds and greens in these tulips, which I found growing between two buildings on my morning walk in St. Paul last Sunday.