Flower

[naomi]

I use Canon 20d w/ 17-40mm - learned how to distance the subject with diff. f-stop. On these pixel would like to get feedback how's am I composed; lighting,ect. Thanks in advance! Dave

[maksevrod]

First two images are awesome!

[graciousness]

HI Naomi and welcome to DPS!

My first advice is to read the critique forum rule as it states the requirements on posting photos for critiques here. You'll need to pick only ONE photo for critique (and this is per day) so you may want to choose from the ones you've attached the one that you want help with t he most, and then remove the others. Also, putting your EXIF data with the photo is a huge benefit for others to see so that they can advice on the settings you have used and/or should have used.

Whilst posting the photo as an attachment is ok and yes allowed, I find that it's actually better if you embed the photo by way of flickr or other photo sites. People can see the photo as soon as they open the thread instead of having to click on the photo. You'll get better responses, too, this way.

[naomi]

will do...Thanks Graciousness!

20d w/ lens 17-40mm
F 4.0 - 1/250 w/ flash on
ISO 100
Distance about +- 6"
I would like to used foto #2292, how do I remove other foto's?. Thanks

[graciousness]

Originally Posted by naomi

will do...Thanks Graciousness!

20d w/ lens 17-40mm
F 4.0 - 1/250 w/ flash on
ISO 100
Distance about +- 6"
I would like to used foto #2292, how do I remove other foto's?. Thanks

Hi Naomi!

To remove the other photos, you can edit your original post and then manage your attachments (you need to be logged in). You can remove the attachments you don't want from there.

Regarding the last photo -- first of all, are those flowers for real??? I've never seen blue flowers like that!!! That's cool!!

I wish the photo was embedded in your post so then I can refer to it and see it while I type. Attachments don't show in posts whilst one is replying, so now I can only rely on trying to remember the image while I post.

From what I remember, the focus is a little off on the flowers and when I say that, I think it's due to the aperture (f/stop) being a bit too open (f/stop too small). Perhaps if you had taken at a stop or two higher, then both the flowers would be in focus instead of just the pistils on the left flower being in focus. Perhaps pulling back a little bit would help, too, while you focus on the shot so that you can see where the focus points are.

Not a big fan of the use of flash in natural lighting, esp when it seems like you had enough of it not to have needed the flash. Contrasts are always nice and if you find that you needed a bit more light, a higher ISO of 200 could have been better esp if you needed to raise your f/stop to widen your depth of field. I think this shot would have worked better if there was more contrasts (no flash use) and the left flower would have been highlighted better as our eyes would be led to it. But then this really all depends on your vision and what you want to show on the image - if both the flowers or only one of them. Adjustments would be incrementally different depending on where you want your focus to be, of course.

I've looked at the other photos too and I think #2 is the best. The focus and exposure in the centre of the flower is spot on and the highlight had created a little bit more contrast. When I do macro photography (not a lot of it, but only just started lately), I look for natural light and where it falls on the subject. Basically, I look for shady spots where dapples of light come through and that's where I look for subjects. I think you may have a play with that scene and see what you get.

Macro photography is hard because any little bit of shake on the camera or movement on the subject just sets your focus off. You would notice a big difference if you use a tripod or mount your camera on something stable when you take the shot. I think macro is a great mode to practice photography as it really teaches us discipline and forces us to really get to know the exposure triangle to get the shots right. It also makes us use our eyes to see shots in our natural surroundings.

You do have the eye for this and you're almost there, really! Just a little bit more tweaking, a little bit more experiment and you'll get the feel of your images.

Great job and keep shooting!

Cheers,

Grace

[naomi]

Hi Graciousness:

First, that is real flower-it's a family Cactaceae, they're grows in Botanical garden, I always walk to this area in spring time to find very interesting species and colors every year.But...I'm bad remembering name of this beauty's-will get the name for you when back to work next week!
Second, I will embedded foto next time(still learning with this post).
I like the critique...you're correct! Will try it again. Last question, I do love nat.light, but some time cause your image so flat or loses the detail... is that correct? - Thanks

[naomi]

Hi Graciousness,
I got the name of the flower: Puya alpestris/Sapphire Tower from Chile. Thanks

[3bayjunkie]

nice colors, but as far as composition try some different angles. There is nothing wrong with the angle on this one, but I think you could get an interesting photo if you get down on the ground with the flower and shot it from the side. Maybe? Just a suggestion.