Candle Drama

[chopstickjayne]

Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 47 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire
Shot at night with no available light source other than the candles.

I love looking at candle light or lights at night. Wanted to capture a mood here. Am wondering if it "says" anything to anyone? What do you think about the composition? Does the processing with the flares help or hinder the feel? I also need more work on my Photoshop techniques.
Thanks for your comments.
Jayne

[OsmosisStudios]

I find the flares fake/distracting.Youd have been better off showing more of the candles.

[chopstickjayne]

Thanks a bunch! I really appreciate your comments on this. Looking forward to trying some more.

Jayne

[jiminyClickit]

chopstickjane, Welcome

Seeing tens of thousands of photos each year helps inspire your vision. Here's one that you may compare your glow to, with depth of field as opposed to being lined up, and a little larger in the frame:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/137/3...6e020f1f80.jpg

Depends on what you wanted to convey. The background with the tiny blue lights is a distraction without helping the composition or adding to the candle theme. Minimalism is not easy.

Like Macro? Exactly the same subject, just seen differently:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/...869eb8b575.jpg

[chopstickjayne]

Dear Jiminy

Very inspiring examples, indeed! The more I look at my photo, keeping the comments in mind, the less inspired by this shot I become. I am grateful for the honest comments here! My photos show my immaturity as a photographer and I'm glad to receive such helpful comments and suggestions from people who are 'in the know'!

Thanks for the comments and the great examples of candle light!

Jayne

[AnnetteJ]

I like the arrangment of the three candle tops off centre, but I feel there is too much of the black dead space and the lens flare does nothing for me. I would prefer the shot cropped to a landscape, losing about 3/4 of the top!

[chopstickjayne]

Thank you, Annette! I totally agree!

Jayne