Curvaceous +

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
1

Curvaceous-16983A77II-25.jpg
Curvaceous-16983A77II-25.jpg2000×1333 1.23 MB

Twos-Company-16973A772-25.jpg
Twos-Company-16973A772-25.jpg1333×2000 1.13 MB

Two’s company

Threes-a-Crowd-17013-2A77II-25.jpg
Threes-a-Crowd-17013-2A77II-25.jpg2000×1333 1.49 MB

Three’s a Crowd

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I occasionally bring home some Iris bouquets in the winter when I’m bored and there’s nothing outside to shoot. I posted these as a series a few years ago so thought I would incorporate them into one post.

Specific Feedback

Taken well before my stacking days so these are all single capture. Curvaceous shot at f16, Two’s Company at f22 and Three’s a Crowd at f32. My personal favorite is Three’s a Crowd. I’ve made some large prints of it. Your thoughts?

Technical Details

Sony A77II
Minolta 200mm macro
ISO 200, .8 sec @ f16, .8 sec @ f22 and 4 sec @ f32

Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
  • Emotional Impact and Mood:
  • Composition:
  • Balance and Visual Weight:
  • Depth and Dimension:
  • Color:
  • Lighting:
  • Processing:
  • Technical:
1 Like
2

Bill,

Fantastic! I love the color contrasts, it is perfect. The curves are so luscious, you just want to sit there and stare. I too like the third of the three. I do wish that little bare dark triangle was not there though. Otherwise, flawless. You know, I don’t think DOF stacking could have made these any better. I really like how some of the further parts are soft and out of focus. Seems more elegant that way.

3

Hi Bill, Such a fine bouquet of iris images. My preference is the third as well, but the second is not far behind. I completely agree with Youssef that the shorter depth of field enhances rather than detracts from their beauty…

4

The light and the colors are excellent Bill. Definitely Three’s a Crowd Bill. The curves are exquisite.

5

Gorgeous!! And another vote for Three’s a Crowd! It is totally elegant! Composition, colors, detail, DOF – 11/10!

6

And another one!

7

Bill, I like both Curvaceous and Three’s a Crowd. The lower left to upper right sweep in Curvaceous is set off well by the yellow section creating a nice cascade feeling. The partial petal in the lower left adds coordinating interest in that area of the frame. I do like Three’s a Crowd better. The big triangle of yellow pulls my eyes around the frame first, then the mix of darker lines and lighter petals pulls them around again. A large print would look great.

8

All three images are wonderful and I would be happy with any of them. I know how hard it is to find a pleasing composition.

If I had to choose it would the third. It’s just so elegant. DOF is perfect for the subject.

9

One and three are my favourites in this series. Good choice to use a small aperture, though I can’t help but wonder what number one would look like if it was shot full open - being a fan of soft images myself. Maybe you have tried that as well? I would love to see it if you have! I don’t know what happened to number two but it seems a bit overprocessed? The other two look fine to me. Of these three as they are, I would personally hang number three on the wall.
Grt, Ingrid.