Raindrops on Roses

[First Light]

I captured several snaps this afternoon after the sun came out following a wonderful rain for the last two days. Here is my favorite:



Exif data

Camera Canon EOS REBEL T3
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/5.0
Focal Length 43 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Software Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.4.1
Exposure Program Manual
Max Aperture Value 5.2
Subject Distance 0.29 m
Exposure Mode Manual
White Balance Manual

I would like C&C on composition, lighting, and post, please. Thanks!

[First Light]

Anyone have any thoughts, please?

[RichardTaylor]

The image has gone.

[First Light]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

The image has gone.

Should be back now, Richard. I was editing it b/c I didn't like the watermark being so dark.

[RichardTaylor]

Technical:

It appears to be way under exposed.
Have a look at the histogram. A lot of it is jammed hard up against the left hand side indicating very picture content beside very dark colours.
You may be able to fix this when PPing, however it is best done when taking the photograph.

Aesthetics.
What is the subject? Is it the the stem, background or rose head.
Try moving in real close to fill the frame with the subject.
It makes a huge difference.

With your permission I can post examples of what I am talking about.

[First Light]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

Technical:

It appears to be way under exposed.
Have a look at the histogram. A lot of it is jammed hard up against the left hand side indicating very picture content beside very dark colours.
You may be able to fix this when PPing, however it is best done when taking the photograph.

Aesthetics.
What is the subject? Is it the the stem, background or rose head.
Try moving in real close to fill the frame with the subject.
It makes a huge difference.

With your permission I can post examples of what I am talking about.

Absolutely! I'd love to see your take on it! Here is another from the same shoot that incorporates a few of your ideas, too:

[RichardTaylor]

I think that looks a lot better.
What do you think?

(1) Here I have wanted to show a bit more than the rose head itself.
Notice how the background doesn't distract from the rose.



Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 1/2500 sec
Aperture f/2.0
Focal Length 135 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias +2/3 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program Aperture-priority AE

(2) Notice what happens when you move in close.
I have also watched my background when shooting.



Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 135 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program Aperture-priority AE

Hope this helps.