forest floor

[wanderella]

i thought this was kinda cool....any thoughts....1/4 shutter speed, 5.6 aperature...44mm focal, no flash...wb daylight...canon eos rebel 450d.....thanks.....

[windrider86]

I am supplying a link to the guidelines for you to look over and then edit your post with the missing information. thanks!

[bruceliv]

This image just misses being a WOW! I love the fact that you got way down and into your subject. Most people are lazy and shoot "down" all the time. This can become really boring, generally.

Here are some suggestion that, in my opinion, would make it really a "WOW!"

1. Take several images at different f/stops. I would suggest you shoot to try and get the front edge of the mushroom all the way to the stem in focus. This is a DoF issue.
2. Are you using a tripod with 1/4 sec exposure?
3. Move around the subject so you can avoid the blown-out sections in your image, they are a distraction from your subject.
4. I'm not crazy about the color. Try "auto" WB setting. Be very conservative with color adjustment with PP.

Have fun! You're on the right track!

[wanderella]

thanks, bruce.....i knew it was missing something but couldn't put my finger on it.....no tripod...wouldn't have been able to get down low enough with it and had to use 1/4 because it was dark in the woods....maybe i could have used a flash for light...but i'm just now getting used to using that.....but thanks for your input....i do think i'm on the right track....just gotta keep clicking away....every comment gives me something new to consider when i'm shooting and all the help i get here really makes a difference....thanks again

[bigjonathand]

I hesitate to write this because I am going to repeat much of the previous reviewer's critique.

Nevertheless, the angle / perspective is excellent! I love the composition.

I would also agree the color balance is significantly 'off'. I would have certainly utilized manual White Balance to make sure I recorded the light accurately.

Regarding the previous comment that the depth-of-field is too shallow, I do agree, but I would actually argue that adjusting focus alone (to draw the eye to the center of the mushroom's stem) might have served the same purpose. In fact, I like the use of shallow DOF to draw attention, but I would have slightly broadened DOF here.

And lastly, assuming you had chosen a smaller aperature (for greater DOF) and thus required a longer exposure, you would have needed that tripod all that much more. I recommend you find a tripod that can be configured for low-level shooting. You won't regret that purchase!

[Eastree]

Originally Posted by bigjonathand

I recommend you find a tripod that can be configured for low-level shooting. You won't regret that purchase!

My tripod has an additional 1/4-20 screw on the bottom, to mount the camera upside-down.

You may also consider a camera pillow (basically). They're filled with beads or something, and allow the camera to be positioned (level etc.) and left. It's also a good thing for resting the lens on hand rails and stuff like that.

Any way, it would let you get the camera that close to the ground AND on something both stable and clean.

Maybe also consider a release cable so once everything is set, you're not moving the camera to take the picture.