It's yellow and it's a flower... errr....

Rob Barron · 21-08-2007, 20:05

It's a yellow flower :o)

No idea what but I am sure one of you kind people will tell me. I shot this on Bournemouth cliff top while waiting for the Red Arrows to appear. It was too lovely to ignore and I am delighted with the way it came out, especially as it was fairly windy so wasn't sure I'd get a sharp shot.

Canon 20D with 100-400mm IS L series.

Cheers,
Rob

Dave Canon · 21-08-2007, 21:05

I do not know what it is called either but a great shot and very well presented. Should print quite well as ink jets seem to be able to do well on yellows.

Geoff Semmens · 21-08-2007, 22:18

Evening Primrose?

Ali · 21-08-2007, 22:28

Beautiful shot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff Semmens

Evening Primrose?

Yep, that would get my vote

Rob Barron · 22-08-2007, 15:06

I've had a look at a few pics of Evening Primroses online but I don't think this is one. The petals do look very similar but the stamen looks rather different. I have no idea and am trying to sound like I have a clue so you may be entirely right and maybe there are different forms and stuff. I'll see if anyone has any other ideas and if not will stick with the primrose LOL.

Cheers,
Rob

skipper954 · 22-08-2007, 15:59

Hi Rob

I am not a flower person so I can't comment on genus/species

But I shall comment on the photographic aspect. It seems as if the wind got you. At least on the compressed version here, even the central petals are a bit blurred. Is the uncompressed (?) image out of camera clear?

skip

**Dabhand16** · 22-08-2007, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipper954

It seems as if the wind got you. skip

Left the pills at home again, Rob?

Rob Barron · 22-08-2007, 19:50

LOL Graham, those wind-cheaters do come in handy <g>

Must say Skip I am not sure which part of the petal looks blurred to you as it doesn't to me. The hi-res version is very sharp but I didn't think this one had any blur, certainly not motion blur. If there is some (and I guess it will show differently depending on what res your screen is set to) then it is down to the compression artefacts, definitely not in the original.

I will admit the BG is blurred though

Cheers,
Rob :o)

**Markulous** · 22-08-2007, 21:22

Main flower is in focus but everything else is OOF - to varying degrees (and I think I'd prefer the whole plant to be sharp)

Rob Barron · 22-08-2007, 21:37

Oh well, that's simply a matter of preference I guess. I didn't want the whole flower in focus as it would have felt too busy so differential focus was my aim. I used that to give it a bit of depth whereas a fully sharp plant would have been a bit flat.

Interesting to hear different viewpoints so thanks :o)

Cheers,
Rob

nichpr · 22-08-2007, 22:32

So many people are drawn to photograph flowers and why not - they're God's little gift of beauty that pop up when you least expect them and often in the most unexpected places - like on top of a cliff. However, it is for that very reason that it is very tough to take a compelling shot of a flower, any flower.
While this is technically well executed, it is simply another shot of a yellow flower........ I don't see anything that makes it look different, unusual, startling, or gives me that reason to say WOW!.
Maybe I'm getting jaded, maybe I've just seen too many yellow flower pictures. Maybe I would appreciate this shot more in the depth of winter. But right now, its just another picture of a yellow flower - no story, no emotion, no wow.
Sorry, Rob. Like I said technically well executed re. selective focus, exposure, etc. but beyond that ........

- Paul

Rob Barron · 22-08-2007, 22:41

I know where you're coming from there Paul, it is very easy to get jaded after seeing hundreds of pictures of flowers, I do much the same. I am not sure that too many flower shots I have seen do tell much of a story though, I think their 'story' is in their inherent beauty and intricacy. I could definitely do something radical to the shot and give it a wild and funky look but as that really bugs me when other people do it, I am not going to do it myself. I feel flowers are beautiful enough and God doesn't need my help to make them any better so anything I did to it would make it look worse rather than better.

So I guess the option then comes down to whether the shot should be taken at all. If it should, then the only options left to the photographer are to make it into as good an image as possible using composition, focus, lighting, etc. After that it really does come down to it's botanical interest which will appeal to some and not to others. I personally found this particular flower particularly lovely (not my photo, just talking about the flower itself) as it caught my eye from about 10 meters away.

I think Paul has brought up a very interesting and relevant point that maybe others might have thoughts on: what do we do when we are taking photos of things that have already been taken many times before? Should we seek to do something funkily different, make the best shot we can of what is there without 'messing' with it or not bother at all because it has already been done by others?

I'd be interested to hear opinions, not just based around this photo but flower shots in general.

Cheers,
Rob

nichpr · 22-08-2007, 23:18

A professional photographer, Cindy Chadwick, has a thoughtful discussion of what makes a photo "artistic" or "fine art" vs something less on her web site. She suggests that the elements of an artistic photo are:
Good Composition
Emotion - it is difficult for a photo to look artistic if it does not create some emotional response in the person who sees it.
Uniqueness - Will people say "Wow! I've never seen a picture of a ________ like that before."?
Ability to tell a story - will people be able to insert themselves into the picture or into your shoes as you viewed the scene and project their own story of what is happening?

Certainly the folks here will have their own elements to add to this list.

I don't know, Rob, if you were trying to create "art" on top of that cliff but I try to look very critically at my work to see if it has all the elements listed above. I have learned that when one or more elements are lacking, I just feel that something is missing. Much like the shot I just posted on this forum - LONE TREE. I like it, but feel something is missing - I'm just not sure what element that is so I posted it here to get some Pixalo member input.

Looking forward to seeing what others have to say.

21-08-2007, 20:05	#1 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,200	It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... It's a yellow flower :o) No idea what but I am sure one of you kind people will tell me. I shot this on Bournemouth cliff top while waiting for the Red Arrows to appear. It was too lovely to ignore and I am delighted with the way it came out, especially as it was fairly windy so wasn't sure I'd get a sharp shot. Canon 20D with 100-400mm IS L series. Cheers, Rob

21-08-2007, 21:05	#2 (permalink)
Dave Canon Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cheltenham Posts: 505	Re: It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... I do not know what it is called either but a great shot and very well presented. Should print quite well as ink jets seem to be able to do well on yellows.

21-08-2007, 22:18	#3 (permalink)
Geoff Semmens Quite Chatty Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Wales Posts: 69	Re: It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... Evening Primrose?

22-08-2007, 15:06	#5 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,200	Re: It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... I've had a look at a few pics of Evening Primroses online but I don't think this is one. The petals do look very similar but the stamen looks rather different. I have no idea and am trying to sound like I have a clue so you may be entirely right and maybe there are different forms and stuff. I'll see if anyone has any other ideas and if not will stick with the primrose LOL. Cheers, Rob

22-08-2007, 15:59	#6 (permalink)
skipper954 Feet under the table Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southeast Florida USA Posts: 1,721	Re: It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... Hi Rob I am not a flower person so I can't comment on genus/species But I shall comment on the photographic aspect. It seems as if the wind got you. At least on the compressed version here, even the central petals are a bit blurred. Is the uncompressed (?) image out of camera clear? skip

22-08-2007, 19:50	#8 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,200	Re: It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... LOL Graham, those wind-cheaters do come in handy <g> Must say Skip I am not sure which part of the petal looks blurred to you as it doesn't to me. The hi-res version is very sharp but I didn't think this one had any blur, certainly not motion blur. If there is some (and I guess it will show differently depending on what res your screen is set to) then it is down to the compression artefacts, definitely not in the original. I will admit the BG is blurred though Cheers, Rob :o)

22-08-2007, 21:22	#9 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,691	Re: It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... Main flower is in focus but everything else is OOF - to varying degrees (and I think I'd prefer the whole plant to be sharp)

22-08-2007, 21:37	#10 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,200	Re: It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... Oh well, that's simply a matter of preference I guess. I didn't want the whole flower in focus as it would have felt too busy so differential focus was my aim. I used that to give it a bit of depth whereas a fully sharp plant would have been a bit flat. Interesting to hear different viewpoints so thanks :o) Cheers, Rob

22-08-2007, 22:32	#11 (permalink)
nichpr Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 849	Re: It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... So many people are drawn to photograph flowers and why not - they're God's little gift of beauty that pop up when you least expect them and often in the most unexpected places - like on top of a cliff. However, it is for that very reason that it is very tough to take a compelling shot of a flower, any flower. While this is technically well executed, it is simply another shot of a yellow flower........ I don't see anything that makes it look different, unusual, startling, or gives me that reason to say WOW!. Maybe I'm getting jaded, maybe I've just seen too many yellow flower pictures. Maybe I would appreciate this shot more in the depth of winter. But right now, its just another picture of a yellow flower - no story, no emotion, no wow. Sorry, Rob. Like I said technically well executed re. selective focus, exposure, etc. but beyond that ........ - Paul

22-08-2007, 22:41	#12 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,200	Re: It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... I know where you're coming from there Paul, it is very easy to get jaded after seeing hundreds of pictures of flowers, I do much the same. I am not sure that too many flower shots I have seen do tell much of a story though, I think their 'story' is in their inherent beauty and intricacy. I could definitely do something radical to the shot and give it a wild and funky look but as that really bugs me when other people do it, I am not going to do it myself. I feel flowers are beautiful enough and God doesn't need my help to make them any better so anything I did to it would make it look worse rather than better. So I guess the option then comes down to whether the shot should be taken at all. If it should, then the only options left to the photographer are to make it into as good an image as possible using composition, focus, lighting, etc. After that it really does come down to it's botanical interest which will appeal to some and not to others. I personally found this particular flower particularly lovely (not my photo, just talking about the flower itself) as it caught my eye from about 10 meters away. I think Paul has brought up a very interesting and relevant point that maybe others might have thoughts on: what do we do when we are taking photos of things that have already been taken many times before? Should we seek to do something funkily different, make the best shot we can of what is there without 'messing' with it or not bother at all because it has already been done by others? I'd be interested to hear opinions, not just based around this photo but flower shots in general. Cheers, Rob __________________ Rob Barron robbarron@aol.com If you look down on other people, don't expect them to look up to you!

22-08-2007, 23:18	#13 (permalink)
nichpr Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 849	Re: It's yellow and it's a flower... errr.... A professional photographer, Cindy Chadwick, has a thoughtful discussion of what makes a photo "artistic" or "fine art" vs something less on her web site. She suggests that the elements of an artistic photo are: Good Composition Emotion - it is difficult for a photo to look artistic if it does not create some emotional response in the person who sees it. Uniqueness - Will people say "Wow! I've never seen a picture of a ________ like that before."? Ability to tell a story - will people be able to insert themselves into the picture or into your shoes as you viewed the scene and project their own story of what is happening? Certainly the folks here will have their own elements to add to this list. I don't know, Rob, if you were trying to create "art" on top of that cliff but I try to look very critically at my work to see if it has all the elements listed above. I have learned that when one or more elements are lacking, I just feel that something is missing. Much like the shot I just posted on this forum - LONE TREE. I like it, but feel something is missing - I'm just not sure what element that is so I posted it here to get some Pixalo member input. Looking forward to seeing what others have to say.

23-08-2007, 07:31	#14 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,691