Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
I came across this plant when out for a walk a couple years ago. Fortunately, I had my camera and macro lens with me and got this shot.
Any thing is welcome.
1/800 sec @ f5.0, ISO 320
100mm macro
The “starburst” effect works really well and immediately draws the eye. The outer detail, particularly the fine filaments (stamens), is sharp and gives it structure.
The centre feels slightly soft, and if that were sharper it would hold the image even more. The green beneath the needles catches the eye a bit — darkening that, leaving just the stem, could simplify it further.
Overall, a strong and eye-catching macro.
Wow! This is an amazing photo! I really love the green and orange. the colors really compliment each other. The filaments radiating in all directions draw my eye towards the middle.
Chris: Explosive! Incredible energy which is accentuated by your DOF. I would be sorely tempted to make the stem go away completely but everything else is dynamic and arresting. >=))>
Chris, this is fabulous. The stamens add real interest and depth to this explosive, high-energy image. I think you could try it without the stem (or darken it even more), but either way this is terrific!
@godfrey @Bill_Fach @JayD @MatthewFarrugiaPhotography Thanks for all your valuable comments. I’ve tried a re-work. Let me know how this works.
Very cool! The combo of green and orange is perfect (isn’t nature wonderful?). I rather like the fuzzy context in the background. Your rework without any of it makes the flower feel like it’s floating in space (maybe that’s what you want). Maybe just burn down the brightest spot of that main stem and leave the rest as is. That would give it more life, IMO.
Thanks, Bonnie. I always appreciate your opinion. I kind of liked had the same thoughts. I felt like the stem gave it context and anchored it.
I like both, Chris. They have a totally different feel though. The original is clearly a flower seed head like a dandelion (but oh so much prettier) and the other looks reminds me of a microscope image from a virus, though I can tell it’s still a flower. Great find and wonderfully captured.
ML
Chris: I do prefer the repost. I’m ambivalent about going pure black in the BG as I liked the original BG. Nice work.>=))>
You nailed it with the black background and absence of green / stem altogether! Perfect!
Stunning - I hope you like the result as well!
Chris, this is an amazing flower and a great look at it. I agree with @Bill_Fach about the explosive sense and your dof choice. Put me in the category of wanting the stem and background to show, but burning-in the stem considerably.
@Mark_Seaver @godfrey @Bill_Fach @Marylynne_Diggs @MatthewFarrugiaPhotography Thanks so much for your feedback.
This is fantasia if there ever was an image that jumps off the page! I particularly like the stemless treatment which keeps you guessing longer. Wow!
@tom.marin Thank you very much.
