Evening Primrose

[First Light]

I just got a new lens that I've been trying out. I'm also trying to learn to shoot in RAW and NOT use Auto settings, so I'm really challenging myself. Here is one of my first results:



EXIF:

Camera Canon EOS REBEL T3
Exposure 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 250 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program AE
Subject Distance 1.26m
Lens EF-S 55-250mm IS

I would like critique on focus, composition, DOF and overall result please. Thanks!

[jcspenny]

Overall I think this is a pretty good image. I love the vibrant green tones in the leaves.

Most of the flower is in focus, but the bottom petal is a little soft. A smaller aperture will help with that. I'm assuming this was taken with your Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS? That lens has a sweet spot at around f8. With the long focal length you can still get some nice bokeh, even when using smaller apertures.

Also, the leaf at the bottom is cut off, which is bugging me a little. I think this image could benefit from either a tighter crop, cutting the leaf out almost entirely, or a bigger crop, so that the leaf isn't cut off at all. That's just me, though.

Great job overall, and have fun with your new lens.

[dlambert]

That's a great start. I like the exposure - it's slightly dark, but I think that produces some great deep colors and avoids blowing out the highlights in the white areas. If you shot in RAW, there's a lot to play with as far as sharpness and detail - have some fun with these settings and see if you like any of the results.

Composition-wise, I'm not too bothered by the cut-off leaf, but I think I could do with a different bloom in the background -- that one looks like it's seen better days.

[3bayjunkie]

great exposure and composition. very nice

[Jonbar18]

The exposure and composition is good, but it looks a little bland. A little saturation wouldn't hurt.
Also I really hope you had a tripod, because 1/40 at 250mm is insane!

[First Light]

Originally Posted by Jonbar18

The exposure and composition is good, but it looks a little bland. A little saturation wouldn't hurt.
Also I really hope you had a tripod, because 1/40 at 250mm is insane!

If I didn't, does that mean I have really steady hands, or that you think I'm insane?
I have a tripod. It was in the house while I was on a walk with my kids, just to play with the new lens & see what I got.

[dlambert]

If that's the new version of the 55-250, it's supposed to have Canon's newest four-stop IS, so it would appear it works pretty well.

[First Light]

Originally Posted by dlambert

If that's the new version of the 55-250, it's supposed to have Canon's newest four-stop IS, so it would appear it works pretty well.

It is, and it does.

I just want to know if Jon thinks I'm insane. o_O

[First Light]

I worked on it just a bit more in LR. Increased the brightness & saturation, and tried a different crop. What do you think of these?

[dlambert]

There's plenty of great detail in that shot. I think you're going to enjoy the lens. ;-)