Exploring with light and shapes C&C?

[JBW]

[tamccain]

the photo gives me no context as to what it is.

[Stagecoach]

Brian,

What would you use this image for?

[JBW]

the photo gives me no context as to what it is.

true in one sense but I did say it was an exploration in shape and colour. Just for the record it is a naturally dried leaf from a star apple tree.

[JBW]

Brian,

What would you use this image for?

I used it as the visual for a blog pointing out that leaves and people come in all shapes and colours and all are beautiful.

[Clive Kirby]

I enjoy doing close up work and I can see why you have taken this photograph - luscious shape, rich colour and nice texture. However, one problem with being this close in is that you lose the visual clues that tell the observer what the image is.
Try taking lots of images at different distances and perhaps include some of the context of the image.
Also examine the light play over the subject by trying different angles.
Thirdly vary the depth of field and point you focus on, often bringing the focus point to the foreground of the image improves the aesthetics of the presentation.
Finally try some processing to bring up the contrast and emphasis the textures of the image.
At the end of the day this type of image is always challenging to the viewer, and people will either like it or not get it.
regards
Clive

[JBW]

I enjoy doing close up work and I can see why you have taken this photograph - luscious shape, rich colour and nice texture. However, one problem with being this close in is that you lose the visual clues that tell the observer what the image is.
Try taking lots of images at different distances and perhaps include some of the context of the image.
Also examine the light play over the subject by trying different angles.
Thirdly vary the depth of field and point you focus on, often bringing the focus point to the foreground of the image improves the aesthetics of the presentation.
Finally try some processing to bring up the contrast and emphasis the textures of the image.
At the end of the day this type of image is always challenging to the viewer, and people will either like it or not get it.
regards
Clive

Hi Clive, true enough about losing the clues. I look at it and see the keel of a boat! I did take more pics and with some of them there an be no doubt that it is a leaf.

I am not sure how to put this without being offensive to some but there does seem to be a preference for 'it should be obvious what it is'? I did say at the top that I was exploring light and colour. I could have used this photo for a reality check but I was just after shapes and colours;

[JBW]

[Clive Kirby]

It's quite an attractive shape isn't it? I quite like it. The only thing I would have done differently with the first image would be to shift the focus point to the foreground so that the focus blurs into the picture, but then that's me and no criticism of the original image. Keep up the exploration of shapes and colours.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Brian,

I opened the thread via one of the later posts, so scrolled up to the top of the thread, briefly seeing your second and third shots first as I scrolled (which must have given me the context), then I got to the first and liked what I saw.

Other than suggesting a couple of spot healings of the brightest white dots, I like #1 just as it is - composition, exposure and focus - well done.

One possible method of avoiding the 'context' queries might have been to title the thread "Leaf abstract", so that people knew what to expect. Just an idea.

I did see a ship/boat keel too, but my initial (abstract) impression was of a human spine and the bumps of their shoulders and hips - not sure what that says about my imagination!

Cheers,

[JBW]

Dave, i will let Freudians figure out your, or my imagination. But I have noticed that there is a major tidal change in this thread. People are making suggestions that are subtle corrections, or people are saying that it doesn't make sense or that they like it. But so far the 'here is a basic fact of life' type of critique is missing. all of the energy that people have put into helping me seems to be paying off with improvement in my skill set. So here is a big thank you to one and all for helping me along the path. Please do continue to critique and make suggestions i have a long way to go.
B.

[Dave Humphries]

Please do continue to critique and make suggestions, I have a long way to go.

Although, if I may be so bold; I am already noticing improvements

[Stagecoach]

Brian,

One area that may be worth you addressing to assist in your learning curve is to spend time looking at others images here critically and critiquing them. It takes effort but by considering what you like or do not like in others work gives you targets to aim for or steer away from.

[JBW]

Brian,

One area that may be worth you addressing to assist in your learning curve is to spend time looking at others images here critically and critiquing them. It takes effort but by considering what you like or do not like in others work gives you targets to aim for or steer away from.

Grahame, I do look and I do critique but, false modesty aside, I have not earned the right to voice and opinion... yet.