Portrait of a flower? Hardcore critique pls!

[tirediron]

Okay, serious critique time!

This is an idea I've been working for a category entitled "Portrait of a flower". (1) Is this even appealing, (2) Does it suit the category title, and (3) What can I do to improve it?

Thanks!

 

[lisa_13]

well, if you want to keep it in black and white, i'd add some more contrast. right now it's really white and flat

or, you could add color

 

[mooimeisie]

I personally think this would be nicer in color. Too much of a wide expanse of white, without any detail in the top half for me.

 

[tirediron]

Thanks Lisa & Moo appreciate the input; I'm going for a very subtle, soft look, hence the lack of contrast and soften detail. The image does lose something scaled down for posting.

 

[Dagwood56]

I do think it suits the category title. I like it, but I agree that just a tiny bit more contrast to bring out more detail in the top half would help.

 

[Overread15 3]

Hmm I don't know - your going for a softer look but whilst the petals do give this effect the main body of the flower looks rough to me. I would say that a bit more depth to the shot would help it a bit - maybe work with the lighting to get a bit more shadowing and add a little contrast so that you can keep your softer appearnce (since adding a lot of contrast will make it appear sharper).
I also feel that it might be a little heavily cropped on the right hand side - a tiny bit more frame there would halp to being the main focus out of the corner a little and more into the frame