The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
There were some thimbleberry blooming at Abiqua Falls when @david_haynes, @steve_kennedy, and I visited in June, and I played with some compositions that included them. I shot a couple of focus stacks, and then wandered over to where David was photographing. I showed him what I had taken, and complained that now that I was reviewing them I felt the waterfall was too close to the left edge. David’s calm comment was “Well, you can always shoot it again.” Wondering why I hadn’t had that clever thought, that’s what I did. This is the second attempt, leaving a bit more breathing room on the left side.
Specific Feedback
I shot a focus stack, but when I played with putting everything together I found that if both the flower and waterfall were in focus it seemed too competitive. If the flower was out of focus it just looked like I’d goofed the shot. In the end, my favorite version was this, with the waterfall blurred and the flower sharp. Does it work for you as presented?
I didn’t want the main bloom to close to the right edge of the image, but that left the bud on the left close to the waterfall. Should I have separated them more?
Technical Details
NIKON Z 7II
NIKKOR Z 24-200 f/4-6.3 VR at 52.0 mm
1/2 sec. at f/16 and ISO 64
Three images focus stacked, both using Helicon Focus and by hand.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Was just logging off when this one popped up, so thought to leave some comments @John_Williams . It’s a gorgeous image and not often available with flowers in the foreground. Space on the left of waterfall is comfortable to me, as well as on the right for the flower, which is really sharp with loads of detail. As for the bud and waterfall, maybe a bit more space would have been nice but certainly not a deal-breaker where it detracts at all. Good idea, shoot it again! Yes, aphids are certainly fun to watch, as long as their not on one of your plants.
I think the composition is grand. The flower is sharp and I agree with the waterfall being blurred, after all, the water is falling quite far during your half second exposure. I notice the sun is high which illuminates the flower and highlights the waterfall against the dark cliff face. I do feel the contrast between the cliff face and waterfall is too much and it is this contrast that distracts from the flower. I wonder how the photo would look if the waterfall was reduced in exposure or the cliff face increased in exposure.
Hi John,
I think this is the version you should go with as OOF FG’s always bother me. For my tastes the location of the left bloom is fine but I probably would not want it any closer. My only suggestion would be to slightly darken the waterfall just a touch so that it does not compete with that lovely bloom. Way to think outside of the box!
The foreground especially is gorgeous and the overall composition, just fine
I do have some mixed feelings about the falls though - a bit too silky perhaps ? It might be your intention to keep the background out of focus. I do wonder how this would look if everything was in focus - with the exception of the waterfall itself - a judgement call here on how you want to portray the water itself
John, this is a fine look at this flower with the falls showing the environment very well, while not distracting from the flower. It’s a nicely different “floral” shot. I think your comp. works fine, there’s enough separation between the flower and the falls and lots of detail in the flowers and leaves. The Aphids are delightful…good for a big green grin.
This is the one I’ve been waiting for John. I love it. The details in the flower bloom are exceptional, your thought process to actually capture this scene goes way outside the box and when I saw you attempting this shot I thought to myself, that is something I never would have seen. I love the blurred background. You get a perfect sense for where you are and what your environment is without all the distractions of everything being sharp. It’s really about this wonderful flower and buds set amongst Abiqua Falls. You could have even gone one step further and opened your aperture more to something like F/8 further reducing the clarity of the background. But as is, I think this is a sensational image that was brought to life with your imagination and it works beautifully. I would be tempted to see what it looks like if you were to darken the background and make it even more mysterious. Well done John.
Hi John,
FWIW I am really enjoying the second version with the entire BG luminosity reduced. I think with the slightly darkened BG it focuses the attention on the white flower and there is no doubt that it is the star of the show. Nicely done!
I’m loving the the version with the entire background darkened. There is enough there to show the location in context while allowing the flower to shine. It also brings out the richness of the reds in the basalt columns.
