For those with slow web: How would you impove this shot take 2

[JBW]

The original shot is to be found here. It was suggested that I re-crop, think my shot through and have a go at F/2.8.

The problem is that M'Lady prefers the first shot. With a little bit of luck tomorrow I'll go out and try for take 3.

[Shadowman]

Hi Brian,

Between the two images I prefer the first as well, partially because this shot makes me believe the foliage isn't your subject at all (which I assumed was the subject of your first shot). This image makes me believe that either the subject in this image is the support stem or you are just practicing focusing/exposure of the scene.

[Rufus]

I wonder, as others have in the previous thread too, what your intention is. What is the subject? What has taken your eye?

Your photographs normally have a very obvious subject, but that is not the case in this and the previous thread which makes me think you had a particular reason for taking these images and framing them as you have. Without knowing more it is really difficult to comment constructively.

[Geoff F]

This scene isn't working for me, Brian. Maybe I would try cropping away about half of the left side to finish with a square or 4 x 5 ratio?

[Manfred M]

Brian - what is missing in this (and the previous image, with the link to it) is a clear subject or area of interest.

[JBW]

I wonder, as others have in the previous thread too, what your intention is. What is the subject? What has taken your eye?

Your photographs normally have a very obvious subject, but that is not the case in this and the previous thread which makes me think you had a particular reason for taking these images and framing them as you have. Without knowing more it is really difficult to comment constructively.

And there you have pinpointed my problem David. My skills sets are built around close-up / macro. I am truly drifting rudderless on the sea with this genre.

What caught my eyes was the glorious swath of green.

[JBW]

This scene isn't working for me, Brian. Maybe I would try cropping away about half of the left side to finish with a square or 4 x 5 ratio?

That could works Geoff. I took some more shots and I'll be trying for a more panoramic pp today.

[DickyOZ]

It looks as if the subject isn't 'square on' so parts are OOF. With my camera I would wind up the ISO and close the aperture to increase DOF.

Looks like the succulent is a zygocactus of some sort?? The cactoblastis moths take lumps out of them around here.

[JBW]

It looks as if the subject isn't 'square on' so parts are OOF. With my camera I would wind up the ISO and close the aperture to increase DOF.

Looks like the succulent is a zygocactus of some sort?? The cactoblastis moths take lumps out of them around here.

It's a dragon fruit. At F/18 I start to get serious noise. I can stay on ISO 100 at F/16 with natural light.