So, here's what I think (again) You can separate what is objective and what is subjective...:
What I like:
Sharp and well exposed. Good use of depth-of-field.
What I don't like:
Cropping. I feel this as a vertical. Don't like the tip of the bud cropped out. It cuts off the flow of the image.
Featureless background--no texture--looks like poster board.
Suggestions:
Shoot as vertical and horizontal in the field. Then choose the one that you like best later.
Leave more room around the subject as you shoot than you think you need. You can always crop later, but it is much more difficult to add space or subject detail after the fact.
Use a small flashlight to add back, side, or rim lighting.
So, here's what I think (again) You can separate what is objective and what is subjective...:
What I like:
Sharp and well exposed. Good use of depth-of-field.
What I don't like:
Cropping. I feel this as a vertical. Don't like the tip of the bud cropped out. It cuts off the flow of the image.
Featureless background--no texture--looks like poster board.
Suggestions:
Shoot as vertical and horizontal in the field. Then choose the one that you like best later.
Leave more room around the subject as you shoot than you think you need. You can always crop later, but it is much more difficult to add space or subject detail after the fact.
Use a small flashlight to add back, side, or rim lighting.