Red Hot Poker

ray · 14-06-2008, 21:19

Im placing this here to get critisism, that i can learn from thank you...Ray

Whipspeed · 14-06-2008, 22:36

Firstly, this is nice and sharp and your DOF is fine, I think this must be from your new lens

Flower photography is quite a tricky subject, but I'll put my thoughts in. I would, with this one, like to have seen the flower right to the bottom, just showing a little of the stem beneath the bloom, maybe photographing from just a little bit further away and from a lower angle to do this (as it is a tall flower, taking it from that angle will help with that impression). the other thing I would have done, is to prune the bright green stems from behind. What I tend to do is set the camera up on a tripod, use the live view screen to check for anything in shot that I don't want and if it's not important to the garden, I snip it off with a pair of scissors (you can also place a piece of card behind the flower to get a plain background if you need). This flower is also in nice condition, which is again important, as a damaged blossom doesn't look so good, well apart from if you are photographing a completely dead bloom.
I've done a bit of flower photography for a local florist, and there are some examples on my website if you want to have a look.

marcinklysewicz · 14-06-2008, 22:41

ray - very good colours, lots of details, good light, DOF is fine. the only thing that i would like to change here is composition, maybe it's too close. that is my opinion. let's see what others will say.

ray · 14-06-2008, 22:49

Thank you to both of you yes i see that it is too close now, and sarah i was in a public garden so i couldnt snip away with the scissor's

, maybe i should have tried to flatten the background a bit, sarah if your out and about do you carry a card with you thank you for the advice...Ray

JMitchell · 14-06-2008, 22:55

I really like this Ray, and it's certainly a good shot for an early attempt. I agree about seeing more of the flower, but at the same time, you might have lost the DOF, focus, and good and had you changed the framing. Nice one, DOF and colours especially

ray · 14-06-2008, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

I really like this Ray, and it's certainly a good shot for an early attempt. I agree about seeing more of the flower, but at the same time, you might have lost the DOF, focus, and good and had you changed the framing. Nice one, DOF and colours especially

Thank you j

Whipspeed · 15-06-2008, 09:59

Hi Ray, I normally carry either a piece of card, or a reflector my Father-in-Law bought me which has different colours on it, black/white/silver/gold, which unzip to reveal a finer material for diffusing light that I somtimes hold over things to create a softer light. I did a one day garden photography course about 2 years ago at a local country house, which was very useful. It's a nicer much quieter occupation than my usual cycling photography, although I'm usually on the look out for wildflowers when I'm at the side of the road waiting for the next cyclist to come along.

ray · 15-06-2008, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whipspeed

Hi Ray, I normally carry either a piece of card, or a reflector my Father-in-Law bought me which has different colours on it, black/white/silver/gold, which unzip to reveal a finer material for diffusing light that I somtimes hold over things to create a softer light. I did a one day garden photography course about 2 years ago at a local country house, which was very useful. It's a nicer much quieter occupation than my usual cycling photography, although I'm usually on the look out for wildflowers when I'm at the side of the road waiting for the next cyclist to come along.

Sarah any chance you can pm me a link to a reflector so i know what you mean, maybe i can get one thank's

**Dabhand16** · 15-06-2008, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray

Sarah any chance you can pm me a link to a reflector so i know what you mean, maybe i can get one thank's

Here you are Ray. This one is 32", so might be a bit on the big side. I think if you can find a 32cm one it might be better.

I got over 100 responses to a search of '5 in 1 reflectors' in e-bay.

ray · 15-06-2008, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

Here you are Ray. This one is 32", so might be a bit on the big side. I think if you can find a 32cm one it might be better.

I got over 100 responses to a search of '5 in 1 reflectors' in e-bay.

The link isnt working Graham or maybe its me can you try it please thanks

**Dabhand16** · 15-06-2008, 11:46

For some reason, no link that I'm posting seems to work.

Search for 5 in 1 reflector and you will find loads of them. The one I linked to was £4.99 with £6 P&P.

ray · 15-06-2008, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

For some reason, no link that I'm posting seems to work.

Search for 5 in 1 reflector and you will find loads of them. The one I linked to was £4.99 with £6 P&P.

Ok thanks Graham

Whipspeed · 15-06-2008, 12:34

Sorry Ray, just back on. Trying to catch up on some housework today after covering races all last weekend and some this week! But yes, just google 5 in 1 reflectors as that's what I've got, you can then choose a size that you want.

Sarah

Rob Barron · 15-06-2008, 14:21

Ray, a 5-in-1 reflector is a must for anyone who does photos outdoors and for some who do indoors as well, they are so versatile and really put light just where you want it. You can really balance out the light when it would otherwise be far too contrasty and you can use the gold to warm a face portrait. You can even use the black to take light away from the shot and avoid burnt out highlights.

I rate these a cheap but must-have item

Cheers,
Rob

ps I love the picture anyway, you've done a good job there