Aphids on Rosebud
ktuli — Tue, 04/06/2010 - 19:43
I submitted this photo to the Photographic Section's second digital projected image competition of the year.
I really liked this photo. Unfortunately, it didn't do so well in the judging.
Technical Data: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, Tamron 180mm f/3.5 Di SP LD 1:1 Macro, 1/250 sec at f/4. ISO 400. No post production. Taken in our backyard.
Why This Photo: I originally was in the yard photographing an insect I had never seen before (but turned out to be a ladybug larva and I'll share some of those photos eventually) when I saw this rosebud covered in aphids. I steadied the lens by leaning against our fence and squeezed off as many photos as I could.
What Works: The focus is tack sharp, and the shallow depth of field produces a perfectly blurred background providing a soft green background. The rose sits on one of the thirds lines with the lean of the rosebud is towards the center of the photo keeping the viewers attention from wandering.
What Doesn't Work: I honestly don't think there is much wrong with this photo. I didn't agree with any of the critiques this photo received at the competition, and since I can't think of any I'll just leave it open.
I did remove the sensor dust spots in the version I submitted for competition. That would be the two dark spots on the left side of the photo. We've since cleaned the sensor on our camera to remove future occurrences of that.
What do you think? Is this photo as strong as I think? Or can you find things you don't like about it?
Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
- Bill
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.
Post new comment