Spring Tulips

Image Critiques Flora Critiques
1

_3231575-NPN Spring Tulips.jpg
_3231575-NPN Spring Tulips.jpg675×900 973 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

A friend invited me to take photos of his tulips bursting with color. They were large blossoms, often blowing in the wind. I was able to use a burst mode to get the blooms in focus. Also used a screen to filter the bright sun.

Specific Feedback

I am concerned about the composition in this image. I was able to isolate the two large blooms, almost. Do the cut-off blossoms at the top work in this composition or should they be eliminated? I used the PS filters “Poster Edges” and “Watercolor”.

Technical Details

Olympus Mark II camera, 12-100 lens, 1/15 sec, f/5.0, ISO 200

Critique Template

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  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
  • Emotional Impact and Mood:
  • Composition:
  • Balance and Visual Weight:
  • Depth and Dimension:
  • Color:
  • Lighting:
  • Processing:
  • Technical:
2

Ann-Louise, good to see you back again! Tulips are frustratingly difficult (for me) to do justice to. I like the composition except for the partial blooms at the top. But it could have taken some back strain to eliminate them. I do like the foliage, with some variation in color and tone. The red is flat, in comparison, especially on the top flower. Fixing that would take some tweaking in raw, with WB, exposure and contrast (but not actually the “Contrast” slider, which is a blunt tool of last resort). I think the BG could be subdued a bit with less color and contrast, too. I’m not sure a filter is the best option here until those issues are dealt with. Definitely worth playing with these tulips again, though. Wind is lowest earlier than I want to be out, but well worth it.

I just realized I haven’t noticed mine this year – did gophers and ground squirrels eat them???

3

Thank you Diane for your comments and specific suggestions. I will try working on the RAW version of the top flower before using the filter again. I worked on the background without noticing how dark it was. Just shows how great it is to have someone else take a look. I may see if I have another view from the shoot to try a better composition without cutting off blooms. We never planted tulips so I was happy to have a chance with them. I love the color.