More flowers...

[kkraczek]

Too dark? Not sharp enough? I used a tripod this time... maybe I'm too close for such a wide aperture? (f/2.8) This is with no corrections or cropping. Thanks!

[PhoebeG]

I like the general effect of the flowers suspended, but I see a couple of things you may want to work on. If you can't get everything in focus in the frame, my preference is to have the nearest object sharp. You could try a smaller aperture, but I'm not sure what that will do to the back ground (which is very nice at this point). Second thing is that you've got a hot spot on the near flower.

Again, nice overall effect.

PG

[greg hxc]

I'd agree with you and say not sharp enough and a little too dark.

What are the specs on the lens and how far were you from the subject? I don't know the actual formula off hand, but check out this handy calculator to figure out your depth of field. Chances are you're shooting in pretty close though, so even with a wider angle lens you're looking at a very thin DOF. Just keep in mind that flowers move in the tiniest breezes - Its led to much frustration on my part in the past. I try focusing on a single subject that is all more or less in the same plane.

[kkraczek]

I like the general effect of the flowers suspended, but I see a couple of things you may want to work on. If you can't get everything in focus in the frame, my preference is to have the nearest object sharp. You could try a smaller aperture, but I'm not sure what that will do to the back ground (which is very nice at this point). Second thing is that you've got a hot spot on the near flower.

Again, nice overall effect.

PG

Thanks to both of you- I'm going to check out that calculator- thanks a bunch! Here is a second shot I took, while focusing on the flower in front.

[kkraczek]

check out this handy calculator to figure out your depth of field

That was great! I bookmarked it. Thanks!

[greg hxc]

I think it feels much better in the second shot with the foreground flower in focus. The color is great by the way.

[Chunk]

Thanks to both of you- I'm going to check out that calculator- thanks a bunch! Here is a second shot I took, while focusing on the flower in front.

That's an improvement, focus-wise. If you can get an exceptable composition with both flowers about equidistant from the lens it would be best. I like the dark bg with indistinct leaf shapes. Nice work.

[kkraczek]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I will keep working on it!