What’s Your Preference?

rengles · #1 (**permalink**) 03-01-2010, 09:29 AM

This is my first post in the critique section!

I took this photo a while ago and am not sure what to do with it. I like the subject and the pretty background, but the composition bothers me. I'd like the shape to be more square, but didn't want to put the flower at the very bottom or lose the pretty bokeh. Also, what about the colors? I feel like something's missing...

Is it salvageable? Thoughts???

exif:
55mm
f/8
ISO 200
exposure: .002 sec

AmberTillman · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2010, 04:53 PM

I'd like to see more of the flower that is in focus versus the side of the flower. Maybe that is the problem. There isn't really anythng about the particular flower in focus that makes me want to look at it and get through all of the bokeh to find the flower. Try taking another shot head and getting the bokeh effect from surrounding flowers in range. Maybe that will help. Colorwise, you will get more color withthe middle of the flower too, but i don't mind the yellows and greens.

Thanks for sharing.

sk66 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2010, 07:25 PM

The main problem is that there is too much of the background and the subject blends in with it. Crop most of it off and the subject becomes much "clearer". I'd crop to the top of the tallest flower.

Qanths · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2010, 07:57 PM

I think the main subject should be facing upwards or you should move it a bit to the left so there's more space on the right.

H.S.

Flickr: Qanths1's Photostream
Photography at Work

LeeR · #5 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 12:23 AM

I could only wish my first shot was this good! Don't listen to the people before me here; this is a fabulous first shot and one you should be very proud of. Would I have done some things differently? Certainly, but I have 30 years experience. This is a solid composition that shows some real forethought. Keep up the good work and bring us some more!

rengles · #6 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 11:16 AM

Thanks all for the feedback!!!

sk66 -- I like the crop you suggested; it does make the flower + buds in focus stand out a lot more rather than being lost in the background...

LeeR -- thanks so much for the encouragement! I will need to check out your photos for tips from someone with 29 more years of experience than me

sk66 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeR

Don't listen to the people before me here; this is a fabulous first shot and one you should be very proud of.

I don't think anyone was overly negative, and who said it was his first shot? First image posted for critique, yes. And it WAS posted for critique.

LeeR · #8 (**permalink**) 03-02-2010, 01:39 PM

I meant no offense, honest; just a little hyperbole to make a point. He did ask for critique and you had every right to do so. Rather than cropping the way you did, however, I think I would have lowered the camera a bit to try to eliminate the bare green spot behind the buds. I really don't have a problem with the negative space above the blooms. As a matter of fact, I think it helps reinforce the idea that this is a blanket of flowers rather than just a few.