The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This is an image I’ve had kicking around the closet since June of last year. Steve and I spent a wet couple of days poking around Mount Hood, hoping for fog that never quite made it down to the rhododendrons. The rhodies themselves, though, were in full swing and we had fun playing with “snippets” like this.
Specific Feedback
Despite being a focus stack of nine images, the background isn’t sharp. I was okay with that, but wonder how others view it?
Any thoughts on the composition? I’ve gone with the rule of thirds here, but it leaves an awful large chunk of tree trunk in that upper right corner.
Technical Details
NIKON Z 7II
NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S
1/500 sec. at f/5.6 and ISO 800
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Vision and Purpose:
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It almost looks like there’s a natural vignette which in this case adds to the photo. I may want to tone down the brightness of the lichens slightly to the right of the flower cluster. You could also crop some from the top if so desired. I like the lighting and the composition. Well done…Jim
How nice to find a rhodie bloom cluster with this background instead of mixed in with the rest of the plant, John. I think the stack is fine. I wouldn’t expect distant objects to be in focus, so this works well. I don’t think I’d worry about the rule-of-thirds in this case and I’d crop down to just above the leaf cluster on top and crop in from the right about half way to the leaf tip. the right side off. That would get rid of most or all of the brighter bark patch on the right.
This was certainly a good second prize! I think @Jim_Zablotny and @Dennis_Plank have good ideas – a slight crop and a burn or even a slight blur of the upper right would be good to have a look at. (The rule of 3/12 is often overlooked.)
John, maybe your Rhodo’s are different, with the ones around here it’s almost impossible to avoid the large clusters of leaves. This is a real treat with the flowers nicely separated from the leaves. The trunk behind makes a good change of pace texturally and colorwise. I like the tighter look at the redo, but find myself wishing that the view was tilted up just a bit.
Hi John! This is a beautiful image. I like the original, but the revised version is even better. It’s nice you got some decent shots that weren’t dripping with rain water. That was a fun trip but we certainly got wet. At least you didn’t fall in the river!
