Light box everlasting magic

[Jill H]

I have been sharing in "Share your Shots" for a couple of months now, I love Macro photography, and have decided to take the plunge and file a photo for critique. These are everlasting flowers, taken in a light box, with the flowers hung against the side of the box - the lights came through each side of the box.
I like the delicate look that the light coming through gives the flowers, and would be interested in what you think about the effect of the lighting, how I placed the flowers, the focus, and any other comments on how I could improve. I have only recently got a light box so I am very new to using it. Thanks!

From Life Images by Jill

Canon Power Shot Pro 1 - set to Super Macro facility.
Hand held. Light box.
F2.8
1/160 secs
12mm focal length
ISO - wasn't recorded! - I have no idea why.
No post processing

[Preacherman]

Hi Jill. I hope you get some advice from the the guys in the know here. To me this looks beautifully presented but I would question whether it can be classified as a "macro". It is certainly close up, but.......?

[Jill H]

Hi everyone, so what do I deduce from only one comment - which is from my "friend" Preacherman? Is this a really bad shot and no one can think of what to say to me, is it not considered macro (even though I took it with a macro lens) and it should be elsewhere, or is it not just worth commenting on?

I would really like to know. Thanks.
Moderators, if it is in the wrong place, perhaps you would like to move it!

I would really like some feedback - photographing in a light box is new to me - and I would really like some guidance.

Thanks!

[Bluenoser]

I'm no expert by any means, but here's what I see.

I think the bachground is too bright or the subject could be a little darker. Probably some PP could fix that.

I agree with Preacherman, not sure if it's Macro.

I thinkcomposition and overall layout are very good.

I'm not a fan of watermarks but I understand why people use them. I would recommend making it a bit smaller or turning down the opacity.

[Preacherman]

Jill, for what it's worth, I have never gotten a response when I put shots in the critique sections. I can come to several possible conclusions.

1) There are not as many truly knowlegeable people here as we thought.
2) They are all here but too nice to comment
3) They are all here but to lazy to comment
4) The shots posted are that bad that it would take a written thesis to explain where the person went wrong.
5) The shots are that good that they cannot suggest any improvements
6) DPS is a site primarily for carers and "Share Your Shotters" and there are other sites with a more brutal and critical and yet instructive group of photogs.

I can think of a dozen other things I could enter here. What I suggested in Simes thread on how the new format is going is a section called "Opinions". Here a shot like yours could be posted and with nothing specific in mind someone could say:

"Good shot Jill. Just a little overexposed on the left. More of a close up than Macro, although there is a fine line and opinion on that. Try again, but this time.....blah, blah, blah."

This then becomes help, support and advice through 'opinion' which just might encourage some of those who refuse to venture into 'critique' for fear of being criticised (der!) to go to the "Opinions" half way house.

I have, on occasion sent and recieved by email, shots to and from specific individuals for critique, and under that system I get copious amounts of help. So, it's all out there. The Mods and Admins just need to figure a prompt that will exploit it.

I also feel an 'Opinions' section would make it more acceptable for a novice like me to comment on a shot of someone far more experienced than me without making them feel like "who the hell does he think he is", and maybe it would lead to a discussin too. Oh well, just put my soapbox back in the cupboard. Off to take some photo's. God bless for now.

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by Preacherman

I also feel an 'Opinions' section would make it more acceptable for a novice like me to comment on a shot of someone far more experienced than me without making them feel like "who the hell does he think he is", and maybe it would lead to a discussin too. Oh well, just put my soapbox back in the cupboard. Off to take some photo's. God bless for now.

My sentiments exactly. I don't feel that I am qualified to give a critique. Having said that, if I don't make an effort, then I don't improve. So botom line, I will try to respond to more critique photos and give my 1.875 cents worth. See, can't even qualify to give 2 full cents worth, lol.

[Jill H]

Thanks Bluenoser and Preacherman - I really appreciate your comments on my photo Bluenoser - and your long explantion and opinion about critique Paul. Thanks for taking the time both of you - I very much appreciate it.
Thank you!

[Anders]

Hi!

To me the picture feels a bit loose.. Think it would help with more contrast, especially flower to background.. The cropping works as it is, but maybe it would benefit with a tighter shot, getting closer to the flowers. And also it looks like the flower closest to camera is a bit out of focus. That's not so god, because the compostition you got kind of draw you eye to that flower. Otherwise i like the colours and overall mood of it.

Hope it helps.
Anders

[stang0011]

Originally Posted by Jill H

I would really like some feedback - photographing in a light box is new to me - and I would really like some guidance.

Thanks!

I'm not qualified to give any real critique. I will offer an opinion- I really love the image but feel like it's upside down. I can't quite get over the fact that the stems are at the top. The lighting and composion are great, as is the rest of your work that I've seen here.
Bob

If these flowers hand down from trees I'm going to be really embarassed.

[Jill H]

thanks everyone for your comments - I really do appreciate you taking the time to comment. Certainly all food for thought. Thanks.

When I took these flowers I was trying to capture them their delicateness, and wanted a soft overall feel to the photo.

Actually, these are wildlflowers that grow upwards from the ground, but you hang them in a bunch upside down to dry them and then they last for ever - hence "everlastings" is their actual common name. For these photos I did taken them hanging down, in their drying bunch.

Thanks everyone!