Ferns - Clarity?

[mjbpics]

Took this picture later in the day. Any ideas to improve this? Can I do anythiing in post-production? Would a smaller aperture improve the shot? Finally, would the flash help with the shadow or would it change the color of the shot? Please critique, it's great to improve with advice from others.




Exposure 0.006 sec (1/160)

Aperture f/8.0

Focal Length 55 mm

ISO Speed 100

[SwissJon]

Hi.

I think you actually need a larger aperture here, to shorten the depth of field. I would then have moved the ferns that are in the shade out of the way and focussed on the ones in the sun. What this would have achieved is to blur the trees in the background to the point that they become indistinct and provide a background for your ferns.

I also think you need to consider your composition.. These ferns have lost their context because you have allowed them to grow out of the bottom of the frame.. You should turn your camera into portrait mode and fill your frame with one, or preferably 3, ferns, and allow everything else to provide a setting but not be an important player in you photo story.

[mjbpics]

Thanks, I wanted to show the growth of the ferns. I guess growing out of the ground makes more sense. I saw them as a mini-forest but I will try to narrow down the composition and see what happens. I am still figuring out which DOF works best but that goes along with the fun of learning.