What is right/wrong with the flower macro

[psanu]

Hello,

I am new to the forum. I would very much value the comments on the photograph.

The exif data is as below.

Make - NIKON CORPORATION
Model - NIKON D40
XResolution - 240
YResolution - 240
ResolutionUnit - Inch
Software - Ver.1.10
DateTime - 2010:03:27 23:32:35
ExifOffset - 184
ExposureTime - 1/125 seconds
FNumber - 2.80
ExposureProgram - Not defined
ISOSpeedRatings - 220
ExifVersion - 0221
DateTimeOriginal - 2010:03:27 18:02:29
DateTimeDigitized - 2010:03:27 18:02:28
ShutterSpeedValue - 1/125 seconds
ApertureValue - F 2.80
ExposureBiasValue - 0.00
MaxApertureValue - F 1.74
MeteringMode - Multi-segment
LightSource - Auto
Flash - Flash fired, auto mode, return light not detected
FocalLength - 50.00 mm
UserComment - CC PSANU@SIFY.COM
SubsecTimeOriginal - 70
SubsecTimeDigitized - 70
SensingMethod - One-chip color area sensor
FileSource - DSC - Digital still camera
SceneType - A directly photographed image
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Auto
White Balance - Auto
DigitalZoomRatio - 1 x
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 75 mm
SceneCaptureType - Standard
GainControl - None
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Normal
SubjectDistanceRange - Unknown

[dakwegmo]

You've got a few things that are working for you: it's a nice subject, with interesting colors, exposure is correct, and you've done a good job eliminating most of the distractions from the background. There are a couple of things though that don't really work though. The first thing that stands out to me is the focus. You've got a really shallow depth of field so you need to be very careful to get exactly what you want in focus. The leaves and greenery at the bottom are what's in sharpest focus while the flowers aren't quite in focus. With the D40 and the 50mm you've got a challenge to get exactly what you want in focus, throw in a slight breeze and it can be nearly impossible. You could have probably stopped down to f/4 or 5.6 to get a little more in focus, yet still have a nice blurred background. The other option is just take a lot of shots continually adjusting the focus, in hopes of getting one where exactly what you want is in sharpest focus.

The other thing that stands out about this shot is the composition. All of the interesting stuff is happenig on the left 1/3rd of the image. The background on the left doesn't really add much to the shot. If you haven't already reached the limits of your working distance with the 50mm, you could try to move in even close to fill up the frame more with the flowers. You could also stop down to get the flowers in the background into a little bit more focus, so they contriubte a little more to the shot.

[sybren]

You'll see you get more and more useful comments when you stick to the forum rules, most importantly the "ask specific questions" one.

[psanu]

Thanks for the detailed critique dakwegmo ; I will try to incorporate those for my next shots. Sybren , I will ask better questions next time.