# Softness updated **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** macro-close-up\ **Created:** [January 21, 2021, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/softness-updated/19361 "2021-01-21T20:11:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dean\_Salman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dean_salman/32/13291_2.png) [@Dean\_Salman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dean_Salman)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/softness-updated/19361/1 "2021-01-21T20:11:23Z")
![Softness](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/2/d2b10d9e68272fbcdd5566003f96137fa3f7079f.jpeg) I was out at the Tucson Botanical Gardens looking for flowers since winter here that is a rare site. I found this one and focused mainly on the yellow area. With this lens I always so a series from f/1.6 to 11, unless it is a bright object because a halo forms until stopped down to 2.8 ### Specific Feedback Requested I like the room on the right side, but wonder if it is too much. A vertical crop did not seen to work, not enough room next to the flower. Any throughts ### Technical Details Is this a composite: No Canon 60D ii Lensbaby velvet 56 this one was at f/5.6 (f/4 did not quite cut it) 1/100 iso 250 on a tripod ###### ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Ali](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_ali/32/30047_2.png) [@Mark\_Ali](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Ali)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 12:52am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/softness-updated/19361/2 "2021-01-22T00:52:17Z")
This is an unusual specimen, Dean. I like the Lensbaby effect! I would maybe suggest dialing back the red saturation a little. As for the framing, if you have Photoshop, you could try using Content-Aware Crop to expand the left and top edges a little, giving the flower a little more room. With the nice creamy background you have here, I would think that would work well. Interesting shot! ---
**Author:** ![Dean\_Salman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dean_salman/32/13291_2.png) [@Dean\_Salman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dean_Salman)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 2:42am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/softness-updated/19361/3 "2021-01-22T02:42:01Z")
Thanks for the input @Mark_Ali. I pulled back the red a bit. This was cropped in LightRoom so I could adjust it. I picked a square crop when seem to do ok. I did a small post crop around the corners ![20210119-Flowers-0101](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/0/3/03baeb64a1f9f1003b2ff52b797c142e7df922ce.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Ali](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_ali/32/30047_2.png) [@Mark\_Ali](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Ali)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 3:14am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/softness-updated/19361/4 "2021-01-22T03:14:07Z")
I do like this crop better. Looks good! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Freeman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/shirley_freeman/32/11361_2.png) [@Shirley\_Freeman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Shirley_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 3:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/softness-updated/19361/5 "2021-01-22T15:22:09Z")
Dean, I do like the repost. The colors are better, and the square crop (which is what I was going to suggest before scrolling down and seeing that is what you had done) really works well here, I think. You are doing well with that Lensbaby, I think. I never was that good with it, so gave up on it. ---
**Author:** ![Dean\_Salman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dean_salman/32/13291_2.png) [@Dean\_Salman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dean_Salman)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 1:20am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/softness-updated/19361/6 "2021-01-25T01:20:03Z")
Actually @Shirley_Freeman, I am still not great with this lens, most are toss. I know what I want when I see the flower, just getting there is the trick. When spring comes, I will have more targets. I thought of getting some to practice with