A flower or two for you..c&c please

[mrstravis]

More country shots, this time of flowers.All were taken in natural light. Apparently my other shots weren't very interesting so hopefully I have done a tad bit better. Thanks in advance for any c&c. It is greatly appreciated.

1.

2.

3.

 

[412 Burgh]

Wish on #1 the foreground wasn't oof

 

[mrstravis]

Wish on #1 the foreground wasn't oof

Very fair assessment. Otherwise would you say that it is a relatively good photo? Assuming you had taken it, would you be relatively proud of it?

 

[PrestonS]

From my limited knowledge technically they seem good minus the OOF on #1. However I don't care for the composition on 1/2, 3 could would be the best if it was not cropped so tight. It'd be nice to see the entire flower.

 

[PerfectShotPhoto]

1 is my favorite, most interesting. Nice work. Agree with OOF on #1 though.

 

[bazooka]

I like #3. The composition and quality of light, the simplicity. The problem is that it isn't sharp throughout. Were you handholding? Also, you're at f/5 which is making the dof too shallow to get detail in all the droplets. If this image was tack sharp and I had taken it, I'd be happy with it.

 

[mrstravis]

Wooohoooo, I'm getting better!!!! I think this is the first time that I have gotten positive responses on my pictures, which means I'm growing and learning. Go me! Lol. Thank you all for the feedback. It is truly appreciated. I will keep what you have said in mind the next time.

 

[marmots]

i think they are all a little on the cool side, what kind of camera are you using? does it allow you to set your own white balance? does it allow you to shoot in raw?
the lighting is also a little flat in all of them
i also recommend not cutting off any of the flower head

 

[mrstravis]

I like #3. The composition and quality of light, the simplicity. The problem is that it isn't sharp throughout. Were you handholding? Also, you're at f/5 which is making the dof too shallow to get detail in all the droplets. If this image was tack sharp and I had taken it, I'd be happy with it.

Yes, they were all handheld but I purchased a tripod Sunday and am extremely anxious to get out and use it. However, if I am doing ok (not great but ok) handholding then hopefully the tripod usage will make things a lot better.

 

[mrstravis]

i think they are all a little on the cool side, what kind of camera are you using? does it allow you to set your own white balance? does it allow you to shoot in raw?
the lighting is also a little flat in all of them
i also recommend not cutting off any of the flower head

I am using a Nikon Coolpix L120. I can set my wb and my ISO. I can't shoot in raw but am looking to upgrade sometime soon. I have a few with the whole flower, but in #1 i was trying to be creative.

 

[The_Traveler]

I think #3 is pretty fine. Although the outer edge is pretty bright, the red streaks in the center really pull the eye in.

#2 is well exposed but the composition is off. You have two centers of interest and its not certain which one the viewer should be looking at. Look at something and capture it; the picture should show the viewer what to see.

#1 is, imo, the one with the most problems. I think the center of interest is that little think in the middle but its rather indistinct. I can't tell what it is, it seems to be hidden and I keep wanting to pick me head up to see down into the flower to get a look at it. The color makes it meld into the rest of the flower, the bulk of the flower overwhelms this little thing that doesn't look important and the peripheral brightness draws the eye away.

If that little thing is important, promote it to be in a more importnt spot and make it bigger in realtion to the rest. Look how much you can crop off and still keep the idea of everything.

I think these pictures are a quantum jump over your previous postings, really good work.

 

[mrstravis]

I think #3 is pretty fine. Although the outer edge is pretty bright, the red streaks in the center really pull the eye in.

#2 is well exposed but the composition is off. You have two centers of interest and its not certain which one the viewer should be looking at. Look at something and capture it; the picture should show the viewer what to see.

#1 is, imo, the one with the most problems. I think the center of interest is that little think in the middle but its rather indistinct. I can't tell what it is, it seems to be hidden and I keep wanting to pick me head up to see down into the flower to get a look at it. The color makes it meld into the rest of the flower, the bulk of the flower overwhelms this little thing that doesn't look important and the peripheral brightness draws the eye away.

If that little thing is important, promote it to be in a more importnt spot and make it bigger in realtion to the rest. Look how much you can crop off and still keep the idea of everything.

I think these pictures are a quantum jump over your previous postings, really good work.

Thanks for the advice traveler. In number 1 I wasn't really sure what the focus of the picture was, I just knew that it was something that I really liked about it after shot it. I really like the crop. I tend not to edit the pics before I post them bc I want to know what I'm doing wrong during shooting instead of fixing the image pp. I figure if I can get the basics down before editing then I will be a step ahead when I start to edit. I dont want to jump in head first and take crappy pics and then say oh I'll fix it in pp.

 

[Cheikhndao]

Technically, these pix seem pretty good to me. Artistically, they don't say anything. I hardly recognize them as flowers, they don't seem to have any center of interest.

 

[mrstravis]

Technically, these pix seem pretty good to me. Artistically, they don't say anything. I hardly recognize them as flowers, they don't seem to have any center of interest.

I respectfully disagree with you on them not having a center of interest but I definitely appreciate your opinion and thank you for your c&c.

 

[marmots]

you really need to learn how to take constructive criticism better
my eyes still dont know where to go in these images
sure the flower is the clear subject, but there is still no actual center