The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Sometimes a lotus leaf can support a small ecosystem, a bit like a rainforest tree-trunk. I’m not sure how long-lasting this one will be, though, as we may get lots more dry weather. The bright colors of this small scene attracted me.
Specific Feedback
Owing to the oblique angle, I should have taken 2 shots and stacked them; one half of this photo is sharper than the other. Does this disturb too much?
Technical Details
D500 + 150-600 (@600mm) 1/1000 f9 ISO 320
After basic adjustments in LR, used Shadows, Highlights and Curves in PS to bring out the colors a bit more. Back to LR to sharpen the less sharp sector with the adjustment brush. Final crop.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Detail and sharpness drop-off is not overwhelming so it is OK. The overall colors seem to be on the blue side. If that is what your eye saw then stick with it, otherwise, you can reduce the saturation of blue and cyan. I like the little aquatic plants and detritus plus bubbles to complete the scene. The inferred diagonal of the elements in the comp are very nice. Well done…Jim
I didn’t notice the falloff in sharpness until I saw your mention of it, Mike, so obviously it didn’t bother me! A very interesting find and I think you did a great job photographing it.
Thanks @Sandy_Richards-Brown@Dennis_Plank and @Jim_Zablotny. I did alter the color balance a bit originally; but I think I went too far. So I’ve lowered the cyan (and blue slightly) in my post, the corrected version above. Thanks Jim.
Mike: What an interesting microcosm of textures and colors you have here. I looked at the original earlier but don’t recall the color issues but what you’ve ended up with here looks pretty good to me. Looking at your techs you must have been some distance away and I would think you could have stopped down one or two stops and still had plenty of SS unless you were hand holding. I still don’t think the focus fall off is significant and unless one was looking for it it’s pretty imperceptible. A nice find and a fine capture and presentation. >=))>
Oh I love little worlds like these. I tried doing a project with nurse logs while kayaking, but it was really difficult as they are so 3D and really light dependent. You did a nice job with this one. It looks so alive and full of light. The varying colors look well together and the edges of the water pool are so steeply defined. I do wish it was all in focus, but I’ll take what you’ve given me. Such an intriguing shot.
