Purple Passion

[Shebang]

Six months ago I didn't know what a DSLR was. Now I can turn it on and am learning! I am most intimidated at putting my work on this forum but I don't know a better way to learn faster, so here goes...

All C&Cs appreciated. Speak slowly! Feel free to edit. Thanks for your time and any help you can offer.

[Frog]

I can tell what you saw and why you wanted to capture it.
That's the good thing.
What many do not realize that what looks beautiful to our eye doesn't always translate to a photo.
The first problem here is harsh, uneven light. Try shooting the same subject during one of the golden hours. Sometimes that's not possible so what I often do is place my body between the sun and the flower, putting it in shade and giving an even light at least. You can crop out the blue thing and with some careful cloning get rid of the red flower.
Also, your background, though pretty well blurred, has distracting subjects...what looks like a blue handle on the left and that red flower to the right, You can crop out the blue thing and with some careful cloning get rid of the red flower.

I hate to add that its also not in sharp focus. Your focus should probably be on the closest flower in this case. You may have been too close for your lens.
After all that, I'd like to say that you obviously have an eye for beauty and should definitly keep shooting. Read critiques and give critiques, even if you don't feel qualified. Definitly one of the best ways to learn.

[Greg McCary]

Flowers..You should have seen my first flower post here a couple of years back. It was pretty bad. But the critique forums work and improvement will be quicker than going it alone.
Frog makes some great points. Flowers work best in heavy shadow or cloudy days. Your F/stop should be around f/8 or f/10. Also watch your background for distractions. I would also suggest a tripod too.

[draymorton]

I haven't shot flowers all that much. Just enough to know that it's harder than one would think.

I like the colors and comp, but whatever you want the focal point to be should be sharp. I second the call for a tripod.

Ditto on what Greg said about flower photography working best on cloudy days. If you have to shoot in harsh sunlight, try using a diffusion panel (store-bought, homemade, whatever) over your "subject." They can work wonders in the crappy, mid-day sun.

[Shebang]

Thanks for the help! I will try again.

I take care of my dad and can barely get to the yard outside, so I hope you don't tire of my practice with close-ups. Because I can't leave, your input is especially valuable.

As Greg said, this will be much quicker (and more fun!) than solo.

[Frog]

Thanks for the help! I will try again.
As Greg said, this will be much quicker (and more fun!) than solo.

Trying again is a big part of everyone's success ...Lord only knows how much I throw or should throw away.

[Shebang]

Frog: I appreciate the education from reading your critiques of the work of others. Looking forward to more.