The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
About This Image
After seeing Mike Lowe’s excellent water lily I thought I would post one from my recent trip to his namesakes’ water garden last week. I kept waiting and hoping for a cloud to come by and tame the light but alas the skies just got bluer so what the heck. >=))>
Feedback Requested
Used a polarizer to drive down some specular highlights and darkened the URC where some underwater muck was mucking up the BG. Your thoughts?
Technical Details
Sony A7rIII
Sony FE 70-200 f2.8 GM-II, 2xTC @ 310mm, CPL
ISO 1600, 1/400 @ f16
Bill, the variety of greens in the leaf set off the pink and yellow bloom very well. I also like your comp, with the leaf center leading up to the bloom. While, I agree that somewhat softer lighting would be nice, maybe get the shadows into the 1 - 2 stops darker than the lights range, this is very dramatic as presented. Like with Mike’s, I see hints of structure in the black. I do think that some burning of the brightest tones and dodging in the leaf would make for a gentler view.
Bill I love it. I can tell you were dealing with harsh light because of the shadow but in my opinion you pulled it off fantastically. I really like your composition as well, with the lily pad in the lower 2/3 of the frame. The light on the bloom itself really sets it off.
