See what you think

[Grandpaw]

I ran across this photo that I took awhile back. I was driving down the road and saw the flowers and stopped to do some shooting. It was outside with the sun high in the sky and directly on the flowers, so see what you think, Jeff

[ksbryan0]

This had the makings of a real nice image, but the lighting was working against you a little too much. The blown out flower petal is difficult to deal with, and would have liked some of that sunshine on the butterfly. Additional DOF on the butterfly would have improved it, but still the lighting was on the wrong part of the subject. I've learned that butterflies don't listen to staging directions very well, so I have a number of images very similar to this!:17:

[ScapeGrace]

I agree that it's a bit dark on the right side, but if corrected I think this would be a very pretty pic. The circular stamen give it an almost harmonic feel. I think the bottom of her wings have a "cut-out" look, and that yellow line poking out of her midsection is a little distracting but otherwise, I think it's a very nice capture.

[GB1]

Has a lot of nice elements, Jeff - butterfly, pretty flower and great head on angle of it, nice green background. I also love the yellow color of the flower. What I find a bit disturbing though is the out of focus area on the butterfly, and perhaps the over burned out area on the flower petal. It certainly has things going for it, but those issues prevent it from being too high up on the Super meter. Definitely worth a post as you did, just to see what others think.

G

[Grandpaw]

I know this picture had focus problems and the blown out section but I just wanted to post something so I could participate more. I have been concentrating on getting rid of spam. It is an ongoing job and takes time!!! Jeff

[n8]

Lighting aside, it looks like maybe the noise reduction was turned up to high.

[Grandpaw]

Lighting aside, it looks like maybe the noise reduction was turned up to high.

Thanks for leaving a comment. I don't remember if I even used the NR on this, Jeff

[LeeIs]

Nice colour scheme. Good composition. Pretty good Dof also.

Couple of things bother me, the top left leafs seem to be slightly in the frame. I wish they weren't there or were more in to the frame. Right now they're neither fully in or out. I also, at first glance thought you did a little too much noise reduction to this.

other than that, looks nice.

[Grandpaw]

This is it with nothing done to it except a slightly different crop, Jeff

[LeeIs]

I prefer this one MUCH more to the one you posted earlier. The colours are lighter, Butterfly a lot more visible and a much better photograph over all! Also the sharpness and dof are very nicely done.

[GB1]

Yes, it looks brighter, cleaner and much better all around. Nice job.
G

[Anbesol]

I think it would work well with the shadow detail brought up a smidgen with a more natural looking highlight. The texture of the flower petal is really washed out as well. Great composition and color, would work well for a small print but I think the lack of texture in the flower petals would limit the size of the print.

*edit - didn't see the edit, everything is improved well in the edit, the specular highlight looks more natural with the brighter colors next to it.

[Greg McCary]

Other things have bee metioned, I think compostionally I would flip it CW 90%.

[Grandpaw]

Thanks for the suggestions. Here it is rotated with a bump up on the highlights. This is not how it was taken but I do like the rotated picture MUCH better. Thanks for the suggestions, Jeff

[LeeIs]

Great suggestion by Greg. Looks wonderful this way too.

[Grandpaw]

Great suggestion by Greg. Looks wonderful this way too.

Thanks, I just like taking pictures of alligators, Jeff

I obviously put this reply to the wrong post. I like the picture like this much better also. Thanks Greg, Jeff

[Loupey]

The rotated image is not "right" since that flower would not bloom that way.