Thimbleberry

Image Critiques
1

Thimbleberry2-NPN.jpg
Thimbleberry2-NPN.jpg2500×3103 722 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Out photographing birds, but always nice to stumble upon a pretty flower.

Specific Feedback

Any thoughts and advice appreciated. Is the branch at the top too much of a distraction?

Technical Details

Canon R5; 100-500 at 500 mm; 1/640 at 7.1, -2/3EV; ISO 320

2

Hi Allen,
The flower along with its BG brings a serene feeling. The branch seems like a complementary addition to me. The fine details of the centre part of the flower is appreciated.

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3

I think the branch is fine, Allen, though it’s not a Thimbleberry leaf. However, that would only matter in a field guide where it might be misleading. I don’t believe ours are in bloom yet, but you’re usually a couple of weeks ahead of us in the spring. I love the detail in the blossom and the center is quite beautiful.

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4

I like this capture but I do wish it was a bit brighter.

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5

Strengths: details in the petals/etc. Color and luminance contrast between subject and background separates the subject and makes it pop. The details in the background are, for me, a Good Thing and add interest. N.B. that is coming from someone that loves blur/bokeh. The detail and color in the center of the blossom is also very interesting. Color palette is appealing. The shadows and light dance across the flower in a lovely way.

Great specimen; nice find at the right time!

For me (and this is personal aesthetics, so worth about $0.02) :slight_smile::

  1. Overall tones are dark, according to the histogram, so I brightened the blossom (highlights, whites) carefully, then dropped shadows and contrast.
  2. Did a bit of dehaze and anti-clarity on the background, lowered the saturation to make it less yellow. I want that flower to be the star of the show, but the leaves add context, which I think makes it more successful.
  3. The center of the flower is a bit dull, and feels crispy. I pumped up the luminance and saturation on a yellow and an orange, and added some anti-clarity across the center.
  4. The crop feels too generous, so I brought it in, and moved the blossom off-center. The leaves at the top are a wonderful counterpoint, but too many of them attract my eye too much. So looking for balance. I didn’t recreate your frame because I’m lazy.
  5. More vignette, because of the crop.
  6. Finally, I dodged the leaf on the lower right, to bring it back out a bit (it had gotten lost in the above edits). This gives the eye a triangle (blossom, single leaf, leaves at the top) to move around, but I think the eye continues to be drawn back to the flower.

So, quick edits gave me this:

Thimbleberry2-NPN
Thimbleberry2-NPN1998×2480 593 KB

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6

I like what you did, Gary, the brightening looks great and the center pops more. The tighter crop works. Thank you.

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7

Allen: Beautiful portrait and @Gary_Hook beat me to the punch on boosting the flower and subduing the BG above. Your recent flower portraits have been excellent. Keep 'em coming. >=))>

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