flower critique wanted

[Tally Wa]

I've also posted this picture in the Share Your Shots section, but I wanted to post it here to get it critiqued and see what you critiquers think of the quaility and settings and stuff.

Here's the EXIF data:

Camera: Nikon Coolpix S210
Exposure: 0.009 sec (1/114)
Aperture: f/3.1
Focal Length: 6.3 mm
ISO Speed: 64
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

I'm still learning about stuff like ISO, Aperture, and all that stuff so most of this is just Auto and what the camera thought (based on the setting I had it on). So what do you all think? ISO good for the shot? Too bright, too dark? Background good? to close to the flower, to far? What could I do to make it better? The simple questions.

[Samanax]

Originally Posted by Tally Wa

Here's the EXIF data:

Camera: Nikon Coolpix S210
Exposure: 0.009 sec (1/114)
Aperture: f/3.1
Focal Length: 6.3 mm
ISO Speed: 64
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

I'm still learning about stuff like ISO, Aperture, and all that stuff so most of this is just Auto and what the camera thought (based on the setting I had it on). So what do you all think? ISO good for the shot? Too bright, too dark?

You shot this in AUTO so the camera basically made all the exposures decisions...looks like it did a fairly good job as the main subject is exposed well. There are the blown highlights on the left and the deep shadows on the right but the flower looks to be well exposed.

Originally Posted by Tally Wa

Background good?

For me, the background is way too busy and distracting. The light through the leaves on the left is much too bright and draws atttention away from the flower.

Originally Posted by Tally Wa

to close to the flower, to far?

I would have filled the frame with more flower and not centered it so much. I would have also shot this from a different angle...shooting flowers from the directly in front is too boring. The interesting thing about this shot is the flower hasn't fully opened yet.

Originally Posted by Tally Wa

What could I do to make it better?

I don't know how long you've been shooting but in order to get better you have to first learn the basics of digital photography (this web site has a very good beginners section) and also learn about photo composition. Train yourself to "see"...you have to be aware of the light, shadows, shapes, lines, what's in the background, what's in the foreground, be aware of the edges of the viewfinder as it defines your shots, positive and negative space, etc...becoming good at photography doesn't happen overnight, it's a long learning process where you have to keep pushing yourself to improve.

[LeahMJC]

the background is too busy in my opinion but other than that i think it looks good

i love this sunflower, very interesting. one thing i would have done is blur the background so that the flower stand out from the background more.