(Edited image below). Kris Smith kindly pointed out a bright area that I missed, thank you, Kris!
(Darkened bright areas at about the 5 o’clock position as suggested by Kris.)
Also, thank you very much, Kris for the Editors Pick!
I am honored!
Critique Style Requested:Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Hello everyone!
It’s been a while since my last post here, I kind of “Just disappeared”.
I don’t really want to get into specifics so I’ll just say that I had some very serious and sudden health issues that were life changing.
I hope that everyone is doing well in every way.
This image was one that I took a couple of years ago, but never had the chance to post it.
It’s called an Oregon Grape Holly but in reality, it’s not from Oregon, they’re not grapes and it’s not a holly. The only reason for the name is it’s appearance.
When I first noticed this, it was too early to photograph so it took a couple of weeks of monitoring it, the faux grapes began falling off so I grabbed a series of shots of it before it was too late.
Specific Feedback
Any and all critique is welcome and much appreciated!
Technical Details
My apologies but I have no clue what the camera settings were.
The camera was a Sony A7R4, the lens was a Sony 90mm macro.
If I remember correctly, this was a 3 image stack meant for selective manual focus stacking.
I did do a bit of cloning on a couple of the leaves to repair some minor tears and minor holes.
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Mervin, really nice to see your post here after what sounds like a serious health episode. Many of us have been sidelined with life changing events over time. Sounds like you’re doing much better now…really good to hear…
This is a wonderful image and overall very well exposed for a dimly light area. An excellent cluster of Grape Holly…
Excellent image, Merv. Welcome back to NPN. I’m glad you came through whatever the health issue was and are posting again. I really like the composition of this image and that’s a very impressive bunch of “grapes” (they’re supposed to make a good jelly). It looks like you found a very cooperative specimen. The lighting is wonderful for my taste.
Hi Merv! I’m really happy to see you posting again. I’m sorry about your health issues, and I hope you past any potential danger. I’m going through my own now. It is not fun!
I really like the dappled light on the “grapes”. Very nice image. Well done!
Welcome back - happy you can get behind the camera again. I’ve never seen this plant before, but oh, this is a super composition. Nice of you to monitor and then catch it before the berries quit the stage. The light is beautiful and the subject so intriguing. I like the spray of branches that frame the berries and that they sort of follow the same lines. The color variation in the “grapes” is nice to see - the progression from green to blue and the contrast with the reddish stems and background is effective to set them apart as well. You could tone a bit of that red down at about the 5 o’clock mark if you wanted to, and extend it to the bright parts of the leaf there, too, but that’s up to you. A very well put together image. Bravo!
Welcome back, Merv, and I’m glad you’re doing better! This is quite a stellar photo of Oregon grape holly. I’ve never noticed the “grapes”, just the bright yellow flowers it has in spring (at least I think that’s the plant I’m thinking of). Your photo has such wonderful light and color - well done!
Steve, I will be thinking of you and your situation. I really hope that you’re able to get better real soon!
Thanks for bringing that to my attention, Kris! I remember now that I had noticed the harsh shadows just under that bright spot back when I initially edited this image, but apparently I forgot all about it, Lol.
I really appreciate it, Kris!
To all:
As I mentioned, the health issues have been life changing which really means that I can’t park my butt in front of a computer for long periods anymore.
My excuse was having a titanium rod supporting the thoracic section of my spine but I’ve learned the hard way that we have to stay as active as possible even if it comes with uncomfortable pain.
The good part it being forced to get out there and photograph more of what nature has to offer.
I bought an electric bicycle and added a small trailer to it so I could bring my photo gear along for the rides.
I look forward to participating here as much as I can, and I look forward to viewing all the great works that NPN and it’s members have to offer!
