Mushroom

[DocRaczkowski]

Hey all - any critique (lighting, aperture, focus, composition, etc) you could give me on this shot would be appreciated. Shot while hiking through the Redwoods up in Santa Cruz, CA.



Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/4.0
Focal Length 105 mm
ISO Speed 400

[Vicbowling]

Nice shot. I love the use of focus in this image... it really gives an unusual depth of perception with the texture of the ferns. The only criticism that I would make is the composition- it feels a little to static and split down the center.

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[Ruqaiah]

yeah like it too! so nice

[Henrik]

Hi,
To me there are two considerations:
- The focus doesn't seem to be exatly on the mushroom, but a little closer to the camera. I could be wrong, though.
- I think you would benefit from cropping the picture a bit in order to place the mushroom at a crossing of the golden section. See enclosed picture.

Regards, Henrik

[tprocyshyn]

I was going to make a similar comment about cropping it. I like the photo, but my eyes don't automatically look at the best part of it.

[DocRaczkowski]

Thanks for the critiques folks...how's this?

Looking at it VERY closely, it looks like the focus is right on the ragged ring of white around the mushroom cap...I really need to start using a tripod more often!

[mrteacherdude]

I liked your original shot for the same reason that Vicbowling suggested, but I did find my eyes being drawn to the left away from the little shroom. The crop that was suggested by Henrik and applied I believe makes a better composition and doesn't take away from the sense of depth. I don't mind the slightly soft focus on the mushroom because the moss is in focus and gives me context for understanding how small the mushroom is.

[DocRaczkowski]

Thanks "dude"! It's amazing just how tiny things are, and how much you can miss if you're not looking for it (which I never was until getting the 105mm). Definitely one of my favorite shots of that outing - not only for the brightness of the moss, the fragility of the mushroom, or the unusual DOP...but also just because to me it conveys the tranquility of nature walks (especially those taken with camera in hand)

[Beedo]

Originally Posted by Henrik

Hi,
To me there are two considerations:
- The focus doesn't seem to be exatly on the mushroom, but a little closer to the camera. I could be wrong, though.
- I think you would benefit from cropping the picture a bit in order to place the mushroom at a crossing of the golden section. See enclosed picture.

Regards, Henrik

I am no expert by all means but I completely agree with you on that.

[Henrik]

Originally Posted by DocRaczkowski

Thanks for the critiques folks...how's this?

Looking at it VERY closely, it looks like the focus is right on the ragged ring of white around the mushroom cap...I really need to start using a tripod more often!

- And I think this is very fine! I understand that you are fond of it yourself!

/Henrik