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I always want to have my images come across as art (a big ask) , and struggle with an image like this as documentary.
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Image Description
I grew up in Naples, FL, we had Sea Grapes in our yard. But never know why they were called Sea Grapes till now, I never saw the grapes before.
I like the arrangement of the leaves and the fruit (reminds me of Brussels Sprouts more than grapes) and the way the light falls on the scene. I find myself wishing I could see the rest of the clump of “grapes” but I suspect there was a lot of mess lower down as it looks like it’s down in the grasses.
I’m new. This is literally my first critique contribution, so please take all of my comments with a big grain of salt.
I too am trying to cultivate artistic images - so we have that in common. My initial reaction to this is that the composition is quite nice. The subject nicely fills the areas of prominence and the background adds some balance and is nicely blurred.
My other reaction is that it’s very green. With respect to that, can you introduce some warm and cool tones to the highlights and shadows? That might add a sense of three dimensionality that transcends that green.
Beyond that, many of the photographers that I find have pleasing “artistic-looking” work often take down their highlights and bring up their darks. The bright sea grape leaf steals a bit from the actual grapes. Maybe taking down whites or highlights there might help shift the emphasis and give it a bit more arty look, and maybe the grapes could benefit from just a bit more contrast.
Lastly, if you have information in the background darks, I might recommend reducing the light-dark contrast in the background. Maybe lift the darks a bit - I guess I would need to try that to see if it worked or not.
I think this is very close to what you are trying to accomplish - some very minor teaks. I hope this was helpful.
Good suggestions by @Bill_Lathrop. You have zeroed in on an interesting subject and composition. A polarizer and diffusion screen (or cloudy day) could have served well here for controlling contrast. I think you could bring out the essence of the subject by darkening and lowering contrast on the leaf at the bottom of the frame, along with a more graduated darkening of the grapes that exit the bottom.
I think a nearly square crop might help. I also emphasized the water droplets on the leaves for a bit more drama. Is it art now? that is up to the eye of the beholder!
