[Joe T]

Have entered this picture elsewhere as a competition entry, and would like some crtique of it. Many thanks

Large version: http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/DSC_3936-02al.jpg

Taken with Nikon D70 and Sigma 105 Macro.

[CT]

Joe it's nice, it's just the composition which bugs me a little. It looks a bit squeezed into the frame, particularly on the left. I think it needs a bit more space on the left and right sides, and seeing the stem on the left would help the shot a lot.

The oof background is very nice indeed.

[Joe T]

Thanks CT.

Here is the uncropped version. How would you crop it if it were yours? Thanks.

[CT]

I don't think there's an ideal crop there Joe - the long horizontal nature of that flower makes it awkward. I'd work with the shape and go for a more pano crop. I cloned out that bit of leaf at top centre and darkened the shot a little to bring out the colour and detail.

Interestingly, if you zoom in on the pic there are strands of spider web on the bloom which are lost in your pic. A smaller aperture might have shown them up and added to the interest?

[Joe T]

Thanks for your efforts CT.

I think a key question is whether or not to leave in the extra bits of stem in the top left. Hmmm.

I agree with the darkening bringoing out detail. Will try that. Thanks.

[CT]

I agree- it might be better to remove those bits of stem top left. Worth a try.

[Joe T]

My best so far. Did a little bit of cloning, and darkened it to bring out the colour as suggested.

I dont want to crop it too tight top and bottom, as I think it then looks too long and thin.

What do you think CT (anyone else!)? Thanks

[CT]

Better Joe. I think some more space on the right is needed - enough to put the tip of the flower and the droplets (which are really the focal point of interest) on a 3rd intersection.

Much better.
Is it my eyes or could it do with a good thump from the sharpening stick?
Also, not sure if this is planning to be your entry (the actual file), but I can see where you've cloned on the top left.

[Joe T]

Thanks for the commets guys. I really appreciate it!

Hopefully the final version!

[Joe T]

Well, I only came 32nd out of 76. I was hoping to do better, especially with the kind words and assistance from here. I guess without CTs help I wouldnt have done as well as I did, so thank you! And thanks to Marcel too.

Although my ranking wasnt great, I scored more highly than I have before, so that is good. I was 4th best improved since last round. I was also the person who improved most from rounds 1,2+3 to rounds 4,5+6.

Thanks again.

[CT]

That's a pretty impressive result then Joe with that degree of improvement in one round.

[Matty]

i have to admit i thought you would have done better with that Joe!

[Joe T]

Originally Posted by EosD

i have to admit i thought you would have done better with that Joe!

Thanks mate. I guess its all down to personal taste. Maybe one of the judges didnt like it, and that let down my overall score.

Its not all about compos tho, photography is mostly about producing an image that the photographer finds pleasing.

[Steve]

You are making great steps forward Joe, we can all see that from the pictures that you post here comparred to what you used to show. Don't judge your progress by one competition result, especially when it is not annonimous.

No matter how impartial people try to be, once they know the person and can put a picture with that name their view will always be biased..thats why we have our competition judged by all and without displaying the names of the poster.

Keep at it mate, try to improve but don't lose the fun and enjoyment this hobby can bring.