Desert Spring

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
1

2021-03-20-CactusFlower-Stack-003.jpg
2021-03-20-CactusFlower-Stack-003.jpg1200×857 149 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

I find cactus blooms to be one of the surprises of the desert. For the majority of the year the cactus sits there, spines bristling and mostly drab. Then, for a brief moment in the spring, they put on the most beautiful display of flowers that sometimes only last for a night. The colors range from subtle to vivid. It’s really quite amazing to see such delicate, colorful blossoms sprinkled around the desert like tropical transplants. I’m not sure what species this cactus is exactly, or if it’s native to the Sonoran Desert (it’s in a yard, part of the landscaping). After years of walking by it I decided it was time to get a picture. I took this just at sunrise, with sunlight hitting the flowers but the rest of the yard still in shadow.

Specific Feedback

I’m not after any specific feedback, but if you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to let me know.

Technical Details

This is a focus stack using Affinity Photo (I took this back in 2021, so the exact details of the stacking process elude me). 105 mm f/7.1.

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:
2

This is gorgeous!! The composition and lighting are wonderful and the BG very pretty. I love that the “BG” flower is more in the shade. The stack looks good.

This looks like what I know as Claret Cup cactus, also called Scarlet Hedgehog.

3

Agree on the great lighting and there is a good lesson here, getting down on the flowers instead of shooting them from above.

4

Hi Eric,
This is gorgeous. Glad you finally stopped to capture this beauty. The soft morning light on the flowers is sublime and I like the fact that the BG is in the shade. Very nicely done.

5

Eric, the light on the flowers is excellent. The variety of colors in the background helps create a nicely colorful view. Your choice of dof in your stack looks great.