When there's no doubt

Image Critiques
1

Kristen_SmithJune 17, 2025_1010984.jpg
Kristen_SmithJune 17, 2025_1010984.jpg1250×1250 1.37 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Not so much a request for critique as a little shot of summer now we’re in bare stick and freezing mud season.

When Blue Flag is blooming, I always stop to look at them when in the kayak where I see most of them. They’re so striking. I liked this little group because it was somewhat separated from things directly near it and from the background - I think it’s on a group of little stumps in the water. I was exploring a little backwater that I can only get into when the water is very high, which it surprisingly was all summer on this river. Blue flag just makes me smile so I thought I’d share.

Specific Feedback

How else would you process this to create a harmonious, but realistic, photo?

Technical Details

Handheld in the kayak

Screenshot 2025-11-08 at 6.42.08 AM
Screenshot 2025-11-08 at 6.42.08 AM616×334 62.4 KB

Lr for everything including a crop and a mix of global and local adjustments to smooth the dynamic range a bit, adjust for correct color and do a little judicious distraction removal.

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

Kris: This does make me smile so thanks for posting it. I really like your comp with the FG nicely sharp and the BG nicely blurred. I also like that you have several stages of the flower in the scene. A really nice find but you’re going to have to stop mentioning your kayak since it ignites serious flames of jealousy in me :flushed_face:. Top notch shot. >=))>

3

Kris, it worked, you have me smiling too. A very clean take for long stemmed floral without wind blur or movement. Thanks for sharing… :heart_eyes:

4

This is a lovely image Kris. I like the little surprises that I find when I’m out wandering.

The iris stand out well amongst all the greenery. I could see a tighter crop as another version, but the one you have presented is just perfect.

5

Thanks @Bill_Fach, @Paul_Breitkreuz & @Glenys_Passier - glad to have spread some smiles with this one. I’ve got a little turtle shot that will do the same if I can get it posted. Sorry that I’ll have to mention the kayak again. :upside_down_face:

6

It is a lovely slice of summer, Kris. I like your composition.

7

I didn’t see this one until now, but have to add my applause for a lovely image and a very nice summer vibe. (We don’t have frozen sticks here but it will be gray and soggy until spring.) I have telephoto vision and think you have a twofer here, with a considerably cropped version in portrait format. The flowers have such an interesting structure that I want to zoom in and delight in it!

There are a lot of these on the coast and I’ve not paid enough attention to them. Maybe I can work on that next summer.