Sun Dials

Image Critiques Flora Critiques
1

Sun-Dials-2024-12-01-18-48-38-(B,R8,S4).jpg
Sun-Dials-2024-12-01-18-48-38-(B,R8,S4).jpg1333×2000 1.5 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

One of my favorite things to do in our garden is observe the play of light through the trees on the flowers below. Our trees are not still in full leaf but they are thinning, making for some interesting possibilities. These are the same two gerberas but fully opened now and loving the mild weather. I was tempted to let the BG go all the way black but I liked the subtle dark tones.

Specific Feedback

This is a limited stack. I focused on the centers of the flowers and the tips of the petals near and far. It was not a very deep focal plane and I could have done this with single capture and f22 but the BG was messier.

Technical Details

Sony A7rII
Sony FE 70-200 f2.8, 2xTC @ 258mm
ISO 400, 1/400 @ f8, 4 shot stack in Helicon Focus

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:
2

Bill, your previous shot of these two, though excellent, lacked the magical light of this one - and they are now positioned beautifully. Your stack kept the BG out of it, highlighting the flowers so well. I’d remove the small blue bits in the BG, but that’s just my taste. Flowers and a shot to be proud of!

3

The dappled light on the gerberas is very nice, Bill. I like the way you handled the background, except as a photographer, when I see the dark blue areas I think I’m looking at an image in LR and it’s telling me they’re blocked up! In truth I do really love that background.

4

Bill, one must look at this image enlarged for appretiating the nice shades and ditails. I like the background too but I like less the four blue point in it. Beautiful the composition.

5

Nice shot, Bill. The lighting is excellent, and I really like the placement of both flowers. The black BG just leaves all the attention to the two beauties. Nicely done.