Pretty in Pink - Especially for Izzie nevertheless - ie Critique please

[Brownbear]

For Izzie to make up for the cockroach image... Certainly these are prettier!

I'm exploring my creative side and following are some flower shots that I think are quite lovely, but I thought my first pelican shots were lovely even though they were blue (WB) and blurry.

Hence, the need for a critique. As simple as saying no these don't work or advising if any of them are appealing will suffice. I do have some normal flower images that I could share another time.

All photographed with a macro lens... Processed in LR. Curves adjustments for highlights and sharpening just the edges in Adobe Photoshop CC. I can see that there is some noise and little flecks of dirt on the flowers but before I work on them anymore I would like to know if they are worth the time and effort.

Focal length 105 mm - f/14 SS 540 ISO 560

Except for Image - f/3.5 SS 1/1600 ISO 100

1.



2.




3.




4.




5.



Thank you.

[FrankMi]

Hi Christina! I keep thinking that logically I should like #3 best but for some reason I can't quite put my finger on, #4 appeals to me more. For me, abstracts are difficult to judge and I have to go much more on feelings than logic!

[bnnrcn]

Hi Chiristina #5 is excellent, creative composition and lovely colours.

[IzzieK]

Somehow I like the mysterious creativity of #1...the texture shows very well and the curve of the petal...I like the colour of it too, the orangy bottom merging subtly to the pink upwards (I am in my laptop...I will look at this again when I go up tonight so I can see my colours better.)

You missed the bug in #3...at the bottom LHS just creeping through. I like #3 too...and #5 for the colours. So beautiful...thank you Christina...

Now let us see that bug shot...

[Brownbear]

Hi Frank,

Thank you for letting me know your preference.. My husband likes #4 as he thinks the lines are sensuous. He also stated that he didn't like #1 & #2 because he can't tell it is a flower. I'm trying to open the door here for people to say which images just don't work. I love the colours but I'm not not sure if enough of the images are in focus or not.

#3 is the most obvious flower, followed by #4.

Binnur... Thank you. I like #5 the best for the colours and single sharp edge. What is it about the composition of this one that you like best?

[Brownbear]

Hi Izzie,

Thank you. It is helpful to hear about the texture and the bit of orange colour (Which also appealed to me) Also thank you for sharing your preferences for #3 and #5.

Alas I didn't see that bug until I worked on these images. So no bug shot. (: But I may visit this flower again and perhaps he is still there.

Somehow I like the mysterious creativity of #1...the texture shows very well and the curve of the petal...I like the colour of it too, the orangy bottom merging subtly to the pink upwards (I am in my laptop...I will look at this again when I go up tonight so I can see my colours better.)

You missed the bug in #3...at the bottom LHS just creeping through. I like #3 too...and #5 for the colours. So beautiful...thank you Christina...

Now let us see that bug shot...

[Stagecoach]

Hi Christina,

It's No 1 for me and now I must tell you why it's not the others

Well, to me the interest seems to be too central, whether this has anything to do with the rule of thirds (and I'm not one who says rules must be followed) I do not know, but something to consider.

And also, I have a sneaking suspicion some of these may work better in portrait orientation.

Oh, forgot to say, No 5 with respect to the DoF is great !

Grahame

[ShaneS]

#5 and then #4 for me Christina. I like the level of detail in #4 and the lines in #5. My only quibble with #5 is that I would like to see a bit more of the right edge of the petal.

I like the series and think that you are onto something here. Keep at it!

[Brownbear]

Hi Grahame,

Thank you for the honest feedback. Truly appreciated.

I bet I forgot to change the position of my focus point, and I will try this again doing just that! I did do a couple in portrait orientation but skipped these for posting... Why do you think some of these would work better in portrait orientation?

Thank you.

Hi Christina,

It's No 1 for me and now I must tell you why it's not the others

Well, to me the interest seems to be too central, whether this has anything to do with the rule of thirds (and I'm not one who says rules must be followed) I do not know, but something to consider.

And also, I have a sneaking suspicion some of these may work better in portrait orientation.

Oh, forgot to say, No 5 with respect to the DoF is great !

Grahame

[Brownbear]

Hi Shane,

Thank you for letting know your preferences and why you prefer these. I believe #5 is the only image that I cropped a wee bit, 1-2 centimeters and the reason was for a little bit of black sky in the corner that didn't seem to fit with all the pink colour. Next time around I will pay more attention to the placement of the edges of the petals.

Thank you. I will try photographing flowers in this manner again.

#5 and then #4 for me Christina. I like the level of detail in #4 and the lines in #5. My only quibble with #5 is that I would like to see a bit more of the right edge of the petal.

I like the series and think that you are onto something here. Keep at it!

[chauncey]

It is my humble opinion that we have an eclectic ringer in our midst...keeps getting better and better.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Chauncey. All of my improvement is due to the critiques and helpful of the members of this forum who share their knowledge, and you are one of those members.

You photograph lots of beautiful flowers! I'm hopeful that you have might have some tips to share with me or at least say which ones you prefer and why.

It is my humble opinion that we have an eclectic ringer in our midst...keeps getting better and better.

[chauncey]

Geez Christina, that's like asking me which child I love the best...probably #2 as it feels sensual.
When/if I ever get my stuff back from repair...I'm gonna work with very shallow DOF to capture the
edges as they twist around. Just a thought...

[Brownbear]

Thank you Chauncey. Truly appreciated. I'm very much looking forward to viewing that set. Thank you for sharing the idea.

Sorry about your long delayed camera repair.

[Ken Curtis]

Christina, you asked for some honest opinions. Be careful what you ask for!

#1 and #2 do not work for me. There are only small areas within the frames where the viewer can see any detail. The rest is a sea of pink with little or no idea of what are in these photos. #3 is the best of the bunch for me. The edges of the petals do have appealing curves, and there is enough detail for the viewer to recognize what he/she is looking at. #4 is unbalanced in that the details are in the upper half of the photo with the lower half not contributing to the composition. #5 has real potential. I would crop in tightly as shown here.



Now the edges are sensuous with plenty for the eye to explore.

I'm sure not everyone will agree, but that is my two cents worth.

[pnodrog]

#1,4 and 5 are my preferred shots. Interesting reading the responses. I just enjoyed them rather than analysing them.

[Marie Hass]

I like the diagonal lines of #5. My fave how it undulates in several directions.

Marie

[Brownbear]

Hi Ken,

Yes, I did and I am most appreciative that you have taken the time to share and advise, and explain your reasoning. Very helpful. These are very different for me (an artistic exploration), and while I'm swayed by pretty (especially if in coloured pink) I posted these images for feedback so that I may learn from these.

Each of your comments is very helpful for me to hear and learn from.

The 5th image is my favourite, abeit I can't put the why into words yet. And I like your crop better than the original.

I think #3 is the most normal of the bunch but that the very bottom half doesn't work. Also if I move that image around in the lytebox it seems to appeal more with a bit cropped off of the top? If you agree, why would that be?


#4 - I'm not sure if I am understanding "Balance" If you could further my understanding of balance I would be appreciative. Is it because the top/bottom (more in focus/out of focus) OR the sharp versus soft OR ?

And while I have your undivided attention, could you speak to the use of negative space in an image and balance, just in general. It is just something I'm trying to learn about and for some reason I suspect that you might have a great simple explanation.

Need I say sometimes it is a good idea to be careful where you post! Some of us are loaded with endless questions.

Truly, I'll be content if you could just explain the balance in #3 more fully.

Thank you.

Christina, you asked for some honest opinions. Be careful what you ask for!

#1 and #2 do not work for me. There are only small areas within the frames where the viewer can see any detail. The rest is a sea of pink with little or no idea of what are in these photos. #3 is the best of the bunch for me. The edges of the petals do have appealing curves, and there is enough detail for the viewer to recognize what he/she is looking at. #4 is unbalanced in that the details are in the upper half of the photo with the lower half not contributing to the composition. #5 has real potential. I would crop in tightly as shown here.



Now the edges are sensuous with plenty for the eye to explore.

I'm sure not everyone will agree, but that is my two cents worth.

[Brownbear]

L. Paul

Thank you for letting me know your preferences, and that you've enjoyed viewing these. I'm analyzing because I'm trying to learn from these even though one might say that one shouldn't do that if it is an artistic image.

Marie

Thank you. Very helpful to know. #5 is my favourite, too. I think it is because I feel like I could explore the sea of pink inside the petals.

[FootLoose]

In the first shot, the hard edge of the petal in the lower left corner spoils the composition for me. That problem is not present in the 2nd shot, although I feel there is just slightly too much detail in the salmon coloured petal. I really like the 2nd shot because it is about colour with just the hint of form to give it context.

I find the third shot too busy, and I don't like the dark background top right and centre.

I think the 4th has potential if it weren't for the uppermost petal, top left.

The 5th is my favourite because it shows the form of the petal emerging from the expanse of colour. Although, once again, I am not enamored of the dark background peeking through on the lower left of the frame. Ken's crop overcomes that problem but I find it too severe. I prefer to see more colour above the petals as per your original