The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Awakening to the first blossoming early Christmas morning, the softness of the light and the edges of the star pattern of the white Amaryllis petals seemed to blend into a certain stillness.
I had little inkling to disturb it by over-editing for any other effect; rather to just enjoy the peace~fullness I had been awaiting each day prior to the arriving of this opening.
Specific Feedback
Lighting adjustments?
Did the inside nearby lamplight compete too much with the light coming in from the outside? or was it balanced?
Any editing suggestions?
What and how the image was received by the viewer?
Technical Details
I took this image with an Iphone16Pro ,
(Oh blasphemy for some. ;))
I am pretty adept at using built in editing tools, on the iphone, but chose very minimally (if at all as I recall )
I would have used my old Canon Rebel , but I am in process of retraining myself , updating my skill set holding a heavier camera in hand .
Footnote: Introvert by nature, self taught over many years ; With reluctance- this is my first submission here in NPN , anywhere in fact. I welcome any input/suggestions.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
Depth and Dimension:
Color:
Lighting:
Processing:
Technical:
Michel: Welcome to NPN and thanks for a fine first post. I hope you will do many more. No problem with the iPhone, I use mine a fair amount and it is a very competent tool. Besides, it’s not the camera but the photographer that matters. When folks compliment my images and ask what camera I use, if I’m feeling snarky I’ll reply, “Would you ask Beethoven what piano he played?”
As for the image I think you did well. Did you use the portrait mode on the phone? The reason I ask is the pleasing softness of the BG which would surprise me a little if it was a straight shot. If you blurred the BG in processing you did well. The lighting is fine with me. Looks like the lamplight really only played on the BG so it doesn’t compete with the window light illuminating the flower. It’s great to have you aboard and I think you will find this community a great place to learn and share. You have a good subject here and I hope to see more of your work and also don’t be bashful about commenting on other’s work. May 2026 bring you good subjects and even better light. >=))>
Welcome to NPN, Michel. I think you’ll find this a friendly and very helpful forum to develop your photographic skills. As @Bill_Fach mentioned, an iPhone is no big deal. I’ve used my phone any number of times, but you’re ahead of me in knowing how to edit on it-I just dump the files to my computer where I halfway know what I’m doing. As for this image, I agree that the lamplight isn’t an issue and I really like the lighting. In the future, you might think about an artificial background for shots like this. A sheet of foam core can be handy as a background in and of itself or you can drape a suitable piece of fabric over it. I have sheets in black and white and one that’s gray on one side which sometimes makes a very cool background because it’s easy to change out and doesn’t screw up the exposure.
Welcome again. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more of your work and your comments on other folks efforts.
A lovely image of a lovely flower! The BG colors are very pleasing and the location suits the flower as we expect to find these indoors (except for the lucky dogs who live in a warm climate).
Welcome to NPN! I hope you will find it as nice a place to hang out as I do. Looking forward to seeing more of your images!
Thank you Dennis , for the warm welcome, and the suggestions🙏🏼 Glad I am becoming a part of this community. Getting past heavy rains and high winds, entering the year of the horse, I look toward more outdoor adventures along new pathways.
Thank you for the welcoming encouragement. In the SFbay area, Climate-wise, I am fortunate the majority of the time, with the exception of this week’s rain and high winds. Other than reviewing curating (rather large) existing photo albums;
I am looking forward to walking with my feathered friends, many near waterways, noting early January magnolia and camellia budding, in and around lical gardens and parks, as well as “life-stills” sitting indoors, waiting for me to practice my photo-life skills, taking note of their shadows, their patterns, their beauty as we soak in the light.
Just getting caught up and saw your first post to NPN. You have done very well with your Iphone and whites and shadows look good. With 2 sources of light, overall white balance is tricky to get adjusted perfectly. There’s a little bit of warmer tones in areas that are lit by the lamp. So you have handled this very well as the differences in lighting are very subtle. For flower shots like this, either move the potted plant or place a large piece of paper behind it so that the background is uniform in color and texture. That’s the nice thing about doing studio shots of plants in pots–they can be moved and positioned for an optimal photo. Smart phones take very good images, but you will be able to take more control over your photo-editing when you start using your dslr. Well done and welcome to NPN…Jim
