Plant Against a Red Wall

[brianwahl]

So I've had my Pentax K100D for about 2 days now - this is my favorite shot so far. . .

0.7sec, f/5.6, 55mm, indoors, no flash, used a table for a tripod, ISO 200



I slightly cropped, did a little sharpening, increased the contrast a bit, put on a border and resized.

What do you think?

Here are my thoughts:
The wall has some imperfections in the upper left part of the photo that sort of distract - should have moved the plant. . .

I think it would make a really cool desktop background.

On a sad note - I also discovered my Pentax has a hot/dead pixel. There's a red dot in every photo in exactly the same place. Gotta send it back. . .

[greer]

I like the earth tone background and the colour of the plant. Nice choice to go with a darker shot, which gives it a bit of drama.

I like how the shape of the plant is angled towards the open end of the shot (left). One of those details that aren't always readily apparent, but it would almost certainly look awkward if it were angled the other way. Good job.

I think I would have moved the plant upwards in the frame so there was a bit less empty space above it, and a bit more of the stem showing. But those sorts of composition tinkerings are just personal preference.

I don't know what type of software you're using, but you could try to use the clone or stamp feature (if available) to remove the imperfection in the wall, if it really bugs you.

[Redrabbit]

I agree with greer. And I think I would move the plant up just a little.

[brianwahl]

Well, I made a few adjustments (although the plant is still in the same spot).

I cloned out the part of the wall I didn't like - it just bugged me too much. I also increased the contrast to make the colors in the plant pop a bit more.

C&C welcome!

[Liacs]

I have to say i liked the background in the first picture better. In the second one it looks too "made".
The contrast between the different shades is just to big.

Else I love the colors and composition.

Lia

[brianwahl]

Originally Posted by Liacs

I have to say i liked the background in the first picture better. In the second one it looks too "made".
The contrast between the different shades is just to big.

Else I love the colors and composition.

Lia

Thanks! I'll have to agree - the contrast is a bit too much to look very realistic, but I really like the effect - especially for a desktop background. The first shot up there looks more natural to my eyes, too. I like them both for different reasons, though if I were going to frame one and put it in my house (which I think I will), I think I'd go with the 2nd.

Thanks for looking!

[dkchac]

Brian...

Personally, I like your first photo submission the best. I like the placement of the flower bud on the crop as it gives the flower room to "grow." The only thing that is a drawback is the distortion on the upper left of the background. Also, the black and white frame on the first photo really makes it "pop" and gives the photo a real clean and crisp look. I really like your first photo the best -- placement, crop, color and all...

My 2 cents...
Debbie