The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
A farmers market snapdragon with a seductive natural curve. Thanks to Barbie, the color of summer 2023 is full-on, unapologetic pink!
Specific Feedback
I’m looking for general feedback. My own curiosity: over the years, I’ve noticed a bias towards two tendencies in my images: portrait orientation and tight cropping. I work to stretch out of that, but there are times when it’s an intentional choice, as is the case here. What do you think of the crop? Does it need more breathing room? And what do you think of the brighter processing?
Technical Details
Canon R5, 70mm, ISO320, f/9, 1/15", handheld. I placed the flower on a lightpad and I think I had an additional light source shining down on it (can’t remember because I was experimenting with that extra light, turning it on and off… I suspect it was off in this case because of the shutter speed). Basic processing in LR, with slight increase in texture/clarity, decrease dehaze (if I’m saying that right… went to the left a few notches), a notch or two up on vibrance, white balance and saturation as-shot. Denoise applied.
Beth, this is a powerful image. The curve of the stem is what makes the picture. It wouldn’t have nearly the impact if it were just straight. The stark white background would be overwhelming if you did not crop as you did. It looks like the flowers are painted rather than a photograph. I like that. My first reaction was that the background was overpowering and needed to be off-white or some other toned-down color, but I am unsure now. This is a striking testimony to the beauty of snapdragons.
Thanks, Barbara! I appreciate your kind words. Agree re: the curve… it gives it some energy and personality. You make an interesting point about the white background. I find another bias I have with this type of still life is to have a background that’s either pure black or white. No textures or gradients or even other solid colors (but I’ve thought about that a few times, just haven’t tried it). It doesn’t occur to me, LOL! While perhaps that bias is telling me something about my visual voice, it feels like it’s worth experimenting with in the future.
And this was my first time photographing snap dragons but definitely won’t be my last. Two summers ago I discovered lisianthus, this year, snapdragons! I’m excited to return to the farmers market to get some new blooms later this week
Fascinating and lovely lighting effect on the flowers!! For my tastes the crop is too tight – the airy subject needs more room. And it feels unbalanced and tense, like it’s going to fall over – I think I’d find it more relaxed if the stem leaned just a bit to the left, so the heavy top was more balanced over it. In other words, enlarge the canvas and rotate a little CCW.
