The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I was walking in the hills behind Ipswich and came across these orchids on a south facing cliff face. It was blowing hard and quite a challenge to find a orchid that was not blowing in all directions at once. I used a hand held daylight LED panel to illuminate the orchid from below, so allowing an increase in shutter speed and thus reducing blown out areas. The wind removed all possibility of focus stacked images.
Specific Feedback
This photo is a completely natural setting. Have I successfully moved away from a specimen shot or do I have further to go?
Technical Details
Canon EOS 90D, ISO 200, F11, 1/100th sec, Sigma 17 to 70mm at 45mm
Lit from underneath with a white balanced (daylight) LED panel to augment natural light. Cropped, Sharpened. Some white highlights at top rhs burnt in via layers. Dendrobium Linguaforme, Tongue Orchid.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I did not realize these were orchids, being unfamiliar with different types. The flowers are lovely in their natural setting. In this composition, I think the few petals not in focus look fine and stand out against the background. The trunk of the tree is sharp and creates an arc from left to right, ending in the flowers. I like the blurred lower background contrasting with the white flowers. I am not sure what you mean by a specimen shot. The light you added to the flowers works so well. I would not know the light was added from below.
By specimen shot, I mean a photo that is used purely for species identification and has limited aesthetic appeal apart from flower and leaf construction. Your comments regarding the composition show that I am moving in the correct direction. @annlouiselyman
I like the way this plant angle across the frame, Rob. The semi-horizontal flow is not what we normally expect from plants, so it creates some extra interest. The lighting of the plant is excellent, but there are some areas of the background, particularly the lighter out of focus stuff that I find a bit distracting.
@Dennis_Plank
Dennis, thank you. I had burnt in some of the lighter stuff in the area you refer, but now you mention it, not enough. I will update the photo and re-post as soon as I am able
Thanks for your comments. Some people seem to think the orchid is on a tree, it is on a vertical rock cliff face covered in lichen and moss; the the sides of the photo. Other orchids had the flower stem vertical but I chose the horizontal example because it was different. @Ed_Williams@annlouiselyman@Dennis_Plank
Excellent find, and an unusual plant Iām also not familiar with. I think your composition has elevated it above a specimen shot, showing not just its environment but portraying it in an interesting and individualistic manner. The lighting is well-done, and kudos for being able to capture it in spite of wind.
I too like the composition as @Dennis_Plank indicated. The orchid is lovely, nice and sharp in spite of the wind you mention. The background areas out of focus set the orchids off well. A minor edit might be to add a tad more space at the top to create a bit more breathing room for the two diagonal branches at the ULC.
