[edsprake]

Hi all,

this is my first post in this section and I'm still very much the amateur so I'm expecting some (hopefully constructive ) criticism.........

I really like this shot, I think that it captures a nice, late afternoon in the garden kinda feeling, I know that there's some pretty pronounced lens flare, but I was shooting almost directly into the light to get the backlit effect with the petals and I actually think that it adds to the feel of the photo.

Just really wondered what people thought? Any comments, hints & tips, criticism etc. will be gratefully appreciated

Thanks and all the best,
Ed

[skipper954]

I am sorry, Ed, but I don't think that this works well.

The focus seems to be on the stem and the greenery under the flower. And the green is too dark to be the focus of attention.

It is difficult to tell what those green things sticking up between the petals are, but they are terribly out of focus and distracting.

The petal in the lower right side shouldn't be there. It confuses the image more.

Finally, the light reflections and flare are a huge distraction.

But, if you don't try what you think is dumb, you will never create anything new. So keep shooting and posting and learning.

skip

[gsgary]

I love backlighting shots i do it lots in rugby but i feel the same as Skip but i can't really see anything in focus, don't stop trying things like this it's how we learn

[Markulous]

Like the idea and think you're on the right track but agree with above: DOF is a little too shallow; that petal, bottom right, has to go; and the flare is a little too much (think it's v difficult to get flare "right" but usually it's a landscape rather than a closeup)

[HHRC]

For me, my eyes are drawn to the top left of the image by the over bright leaf, but this is so out of focus, its a big distraction, and the bottom right flower could do with not being there.

I like the idea behind it, and i think there is probably great potential.

[fionaB]

agree with whats already been said apart from the fact i kinda like the lens flare....... bottom RHS petal needs to go, and the focus needs to be more on the petals of the flower... but keep experimenting...... ( i do) its amazing cos when u crack it u do with style! lol

well done keep em coming!

Fi

[edsprake]

Thanks for all the comments, I do see what you mean, as It's one of my images, i guess it's not easy to take a truly objective point of view.

You can be certain that I'll keep on trying though

Ta all,
Ed