First attempt at Flora

[Abiciriderback]

This is my first attempt at Flora which sure tells. I really have no clue as to compositions lighting methods etc when it comes to Flora. These are a couple of different treatments I tried not sure if any of them work.
Any tips, pointers, CC, Feedback on any area greatly appreciated.
Thanks for looking

Ray Still

[StormGirl_LP]

That's a beautiful bouquet!

I'm not expert, so take this for what its worth. I've been dabbling in macro and abstract florals for the past year or so. I like the concept in your images; but the lighting isn't strong. Combined with all of the different shapes in the bouquet, it gets a little busy and feels dark. Take a look at these links for some ideas on lighting florals.

The nice thing about digital is that you can use just about any light source these days, as long as you can direct it...its simple to tweak the color temp on the camera or in post processing.

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resour...k/floral1.html

http://photo.net/photography-lightin...s-forum/00OxZ1

[Frog]

I keep thinking flowers should never be b/w but then I see something I like, especially the first one which I don't think is too busy and has very nice tones.
Only thing I don't like is those petals and leaves going off frame.

[shootme]

I try not to read what others say before I post but sometimes can't hep myself. My first reaction was pity you didn't include the entire bouquet and should have been colour. That said the B&W works too but I like the contrast of the first shot. If there was some light providing an angle across the bouquet that would have added to the shots as well. I guess you moved the bouquet around a bit to find interesting perspectives to compose the frame as it looks well balanced? S

[Abiciriderback]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I knew the crop was going to be a problem but my background was a Trifold project board in black and the seams were starting to show if I loosened the crop. I have others with a looser crop but seams showing. I can clone out the seams however. Lighting was difficul;t especially if you saw my home made contraption. Anyways a subject I would like to shoot again.
BTW here is the color version.

Thanks again for looking and CC

Ray Still

[shootme]

Nice colours Ray thanks for sharing. S

[draymorton]

Killer - all of them.

[green_me]

The colourful photo is very beautiful.
green_me

[StormGirl_LP]

I like it in color.

[jordanjez193]

100% better in the color.

[PRB]

First attempt? Most impressive!!!

I actually like the black and white A LOT. The color is gorgeous but, when I go back and look at the black and white, there's something about it that makes it the winner (in my eye). The composition, as you know, is not the best it could be with the petals and leaves getting cut out of the frame but, the flower arrangement itself is so striking, the comp can be somewhat forgiven. Generally speaking, I am not one who gives a flip about whether something is "too centered" but, the vase itself, in this shot --- again, to my eye --- is too centered. Now all of that I just said was pure picayune "my opinion" --- and only worth 1-cent. :wink5:

Your saying that this was a first attempt still blows me away!

Keep 'em coming!!!

My Best to You,
Penny

[green_me]

That's what I've shot lately. Give your opinions please!
I think first photo is better. Second is too ..short? Cut somehow...
Hmmm... and I should change colour of background on the first photo, shouldn't I?
But what coulour what suit the best??? Any ideas? Thanks for comments!





green_me

[TracerNH]

I much prefer the color version and I do wish the flowers weren't cut off on the left and right side.

When I look at the photo, I would love to get in really tight with a macro lens or extension tubes to examine the detail of the pink rose on the left and center of the flower on the lower right (the green/yellow really looks interesting to me).

Chris

[shootme]

Nice comp on the first one but seems too much over-sharpening or distortion, the edges of the petals aren't smooth so something going on that's not giving the shot a clear look, at least on my screen, much like it's a picture of a picture where detail is watered down? Maybe I'm tired of looking at my screen all day. Shading and colour a nice and rich. S

[Frog]

Black and white gets my thumbs up.

[MB1]

Ray, the first B&W rocks my world.

The color is fine and shows the true beauty of the subject but doesn't have near the impact of all those shapes and tones in B&W.

Print it, sell it!

[icicle]

I really enjoyed the first B&W one, How ever there is something that bugs me about it, Looks like some of the flowers have a slight halo around them.
The Second B&W the white seems off a little bit, But it doesn't strike me hard like the first one.
The first color one is beautiful to me. I just wished it wasn't crop so tightly.

The last two are ok, they just don't talk to me like the first three.

just my two cents.

[Frog]

hmmm? I dont see any haloing.

[icicle]

hmmm? I dont see any haloing.

Let me try to explain where I see it at.
In the first B&W photo between the center bloom pedtail and the long flower (thinking snap dragon) on the right hand side looks like a little halo or ghosting.

[twolfe9586]

OP, all your shots look great, thats a gorgeous bouquet.

[tayl0124]

I actually like the first B&W one the most. However I also would like to not see the flowers cropped out on the edges. Color one looks nice, but has too much color for my eyes, and also shows that some of the flowers are nearing the end of their life. Don't take any serious criticism from me though. I would love to have taken these photos.

[frapuchi]

I keep thinking flowers should never be b/w but then I see something I like, especially the first one which I don't think is too busy and has very nice tones.
Only thing I don't like is those petals and leaves going off frame.

I try not to read what others say before I post but sometimes can't hep myself. My first reaction was pity you didn't include the entire bouquet and should have been colour. That said the B&W works too but I like the contrast of the first shot. If there was some light providing an angle across the bouquet that would have added to the shots as well. I guess you moved the bouquet around a bit to find interesting perspectives to compose the frame as it looks well balanced? S

I fully agree. The color is very beautiful.
Ciao
Franco