Critique

Look at this image and ask yourself what would you do to make it more to your liking. If you want, download it to your drive and run it through your graphics program. As you know, this image is not to be used for any commercial purposes. (as if it had any commercial value to begin with)

So here it is:



This isn't a photoshopping thread. It is for practicing your tools, sharpening your eye and sharing what you have found, and most of all, learning what others have found. Does it just need cropping to make for better composition? What about levels? Background bother you?

If you like what you achieved, post it here. If you have some advice, give it. If you don't like the image at all, say it. give reasons.

..... to flowers. I only see color, shape, and texture. Soooo.... I'm probably not the best person to critique this.
:crazy:

I'm lookin' at this photo and asking myself.... "is this how I would have snapped this?". The answer would be no. I would have gone high (stand on a chair, stool), gone level, or gone looowwww. But that's just me.

Now might be a good time to throw in a little discussion on the "rules" of composition. I'm not really good at following "rules" but ever so often your photos may have to face the Raw Fish people ;-) of the world.



Some "rules" to consider when looking at this or any photo.....

* Is there a single point/area that draws ones eye?

* Are there elements of both ying and yang in the photo?

* Is there a balance of opposing elements, shapes, textures, etc.

* Are there colors that complement the main subject of the photo?

* Is there rhythm (with this photo... provided by the background) in the photo?

* What does the photo "say"? Is it about light and form, texture, space...?????

* Is the person writing this post completely full of shit?
:silly:

The obvious "fix" for this photo would be to go with a tight crop on the flowers to get rid of the background (which is distracting IMHO) but I tried for something different that would keep the photo largely intact but would provide a check mark next to a few of the "rules". Remember, I'm into color, shape, and texture so this is how I "see" your photo...



Then I made the mistake of playing with B&W and I "saw" something in the photo and went for it. It's a little artsy fartsy but I like that when reduced to the simple it's fairly kewl.



Not sure this is what you were lookin' for from this thread. If not... then please disregard. Thanks for giving me a welcome diversion and the opportunity to spill out a few words and pixies.
:hi:

I always just go with my instinct without asking myself all those questions, but they're good ones. I'll have to make myself a little crib sheet for the next time I'm out playing around. I like your black and white version best. The other one is pretty and all, but I'm more reality-based I guess. That blown-out one in the back distracts me. But that's just me.

:silly:



I've been reading too much lately. Months ago I bought one of those cheap Journals that I keep in my camera backpack. I keep day notes and little cheat notes. It's relaxing to just pick a nice place to plop and write notes and read prior notes.

BTW: The color version is a little over-the-top. Was just going for a drastic "rules" thing example.

I got the idea after returning from a less than stellar foray into my back yard. I wanted to see how the DU'ers would fix an image that need some serious work.

Black and white is rarely a mistake. If I keep the color in, I emphasize the tawdry nature of flowers. Dying flowers are usually overlooked, but on a closer inspection, they have their appeal.

Could you give us an overview of the "shop" process you used to get that results?

:shrug:

I need to go look at my notes and stuff and try to put together my "recipe". As it is.. I've already feel like I've highjacked this thread so where are the other photo groupies and their contributions.

And I'm flattered that you would be inspired by something I did. :blush: I'm currently in this place that has my "eye" in a strange mindset. Maybe I need to go out and snap some baby and puppy pixs so I can come back down to earth. At least for a day or two.

:hippie:

run with it. Something good might come from being off center.

I opened a 4X6 image and made myself work within those confines. Total elimination of the background seemed like the best solution.

Can't compete with F.Gordon's variations, but for what it's worth, this is what I did with the pic.


I liked the asymmetrical composition, so I didn't do any cropping. The flowers reminded me of fireworks, so I tried to heighten that effect. As nice as the color was, it didn't seem vital to this humble approach, so I let it go.

:shrug:

the challenges I have done in the past.

Restoration is pretty difficult so I decided to try "fix" a broken image.

I like the way you degraded the background. You took out the distractions, and made what was left of the background more interesting. I particularly like the table top.

Yeah, F.Gordon is the champ, and I believe exposing all of us to the expertise of our fellow DU'ers will make us all better photographers.

The glow works best on the top left flower. The top right flow is very good too. It is as if it was rising out of a film.

My eye is drawn to the table top. The old, dark, mysterious attracts me.

I was going to ask how you did that but I'll leave it as a mystery for myself to figure out.
:dunce:

I would have never thought to do that. I didn't "see" that image. What I love about this photopoop stuff is that there really is no "right" or "wrong". Sure, there are "rules" and stuff but in the end it comes down to the individual and what they "see". Like your ass-kickin' photo in last months contest....

Please excuse me. One of the books I'm reading right now is The Tao of Photography. I need to be careful that I don't Zen-Out and my head explodes.
O8)

pieces may fall in an interesting pattern.