Snowdrops

[readingr]

You have to get low to get these.

Roger

[gahspidy]

Roger, I think the top image, the close-up is better of the two. The composition is fine and the dof works well because of the close focusing on the main flower. The only thing I think is wrong is the sky being brighter than the flower here, and becoming a distraction. There is not much sky there, and so that is good, but still would like to see it reduced.Also, I would have wanted to see the point of view that would allow to see the bud without the petal in front blocking it. still, with all my nit piks, it looks well.

[Seb]

You have to get low to get these.

Roger

Roger, I find these to be fairly interesting and different looking. At first, I have thought that I prefered the first picture but I must say that the second one is my favorite by a comfortable margin. I like the angle at which the flowers are shots and the visible diagonals in the background. The fact that the second picture has no sky is a significant advantage as well. The muted colors with the slightly greenish tone works very well too.

I would have used a shallower dof in both to better isolate the first flower from the rest.

regards

Seb

[freygr]

You have to get low to get these.

Roger

You could of used a little more DOF, but most likily you would not of been able to get any more. I would of tried to get a little closer on #1, but #2 is just about right on.

[Overbeyond]

Hello Roger
The sky is my only crit on the first one. But I prefer the second and would like it even better if the very bright bits at the top were cloned out or cropped. The greens are lovely against the dark background.
Tom

[Alison]

My favourite is the first one. I love the focus on the main flower, it's perfect. And the composition and dof are wonderful. What was you aperture for this?
I only noticed the sky being brighter once it was pointed out. But it's nothing that a little cloning wouldn't fix.

[readingr]

Thanks for the responses

Gary - "would have wanted to see the point of view that would allow to see the bud without the petal in front blocking it" This made me chuckle the flower is only 4" off the ground and I was utilising dips in the ground to get the camera underneath it. The size of the Pro 1 turned off without the lens extended is 5". Got stung a few times from nettles.

I agree with the sky on the first so tried to add a Gray gradation with a bit of masking - does this work?



freygr - Couldn't get much closer the flowers are almost on the lens as it is LOL. I'm using super macro on the Pro 1.

Alison - camera on manual ISO 100, 1/250th and F5.6 for the top photo, second photo, just checked and the same. I took almost 60 shots varying from 1/1000 f2.4 (not happy with these) to 1/60 f8.0 the latter coming out blurred due to wind blowing the flowers.

Seb, Tom - going back to try again on Wednesday see if I can get shots with better sky and shallower DOF - got to go to London tomorrow for work.

The location to give you an indication of the flower height off the ground.



Thanks your comments really help with this. Determined to nail this as it's my favourite flower.

Roger

[readingr]

My quest continues for the perfect snowdrop picture - critique please

Roger