The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
It’s that time of year when everything proceeds so fast that you get the feeling you can barely keep up. In this image, I wanted to show the almost perfect condition of this freshly budded beech leaf and the various shades of green that characterise spring.
As so often, I used my vintage lens, even though it is much softer at its widest opening (f/1.8) than my Olympus macro lens. I guess that I prefer softness over sharpness. My old lens also gives images a lovely glow.
Specific Feedback
What do you think about the (modest) level of sharpness here? Should I have used my pin-sharp Olympus 60mm instead?
Compositionally, I decided to photograph through a few other leaves, showing only the tip of the leaf. Was this a good decision?
Technical Details
Olympus (OM System) OM-1 with Pentacon f/1.8 50mm with M42 thread on a helicoid adapter, allowing (very) close focusing to approx 1:1.
f/1.8 at 1/8 sec, ISO 80, Sirui ST124 tripod.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I think that your choice of lenses works very well here. The gradation between the OOF leaf and subject is subtle and may have been too stark of a transition with your sharper lens. You have enough sharpness which captured enough of the details to hold the viewer’s eye. Well done…Jim
Gerard: Your technique of shooting through FG leaves for a soft surround is what we used to call cramming. It was in vogue several years ago on the old NPN site but for some reason faded away. I look for these possibilities and like the result when the conditions are right. I applaud all your decisions here. There is good sharpness where it needs to be which is a perfect counterpoint to the softer areas. All in all a superbly crafted image IMO. =))>
Beautiful image, Gerard. I don’t think I’d quibble with any of your choices of equipment or settings on this one. That lens may not be the sharpest in t he world, but it’s certainly sharp enough to provide plenty of detail as witnessed by the hairs around the perimeter of the leaf and the veins within it. Using out of focus foreground vegetation to frame it was an excellent choice and worked very well.
I love how it looks like the leaf is playing “peek-a-boo” with the out of focus leaves! There is enough sharpness on the main leaf to show its texture.
The only complaint I have is that the bottom tip of the leaf is out of focus. The lines & textures of the leave lead my eyes toward the tip, and when I finally get there, the last thing I look at with the image is an out-of-focus area. Do you have any shots in which you focused on the tip? Perhaps too much of the other parts of the leaf would then be out of focus?
Thanks for your comments!! Focusing on a non-flat object such as this leaf is full of difficult decisions. The fact that I wanted to keep most of the leaf surface with its intricate veins in focus and the other leaves as blurred as possible unfortunately meant that the tip is not fully sharp. That was the compromise, I’m afraid…
What a creative composition! I recently bought the OM1 and have an old Helios lens - you have definitely inspired me to get an adapter. The variety of greens is stunning.
Beautifully seen and photographed, Gerard. Personally, I would not change a thing. The DOF is spot-on to my liking; the contrast of the cool “fuzzies” on the edge of the leaf in perfect contrast to the warmer tome of the leaf. Nicely done.
