2019 Project 52 by David (dnperfors)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7829/...0f9df186_c.jpgWeek 6 - Project 52 2019 by David Perfors, on Flickr

ISO: 2000
Aperture: F11
Shutterspeed: 1/20
No macro filter

I now notice that I did have the ISO 10x the value I was thinking about... I did check and thought is was on 200...
Since there is no cropping involved in this image, I didn't really notice on the monitor either...
However a silly mistake, I already did a camera 'reset'.

The lighting comes from a window, and I use some sort of makeshift reflector. (now you know exactly phase of life I am in ;))

I find that if I am square on to a butterfly I can open my aperture to F11 but I don't like going any further unless I am able to do a merge of 2 or more focus shots. So I agree with what you did for those shots.

The flower looks fine although I wonder about a slight crop to reduce the length of stem?

I think you are right about the crop, there is a bit too much of the stem compared to the flower itself. By cropping the image a little bit, the focus is more on the flower.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7870/...4de4e62b_c.jpg
Week 07 - Project 52 2019 by David Perfors, on Flickr

We had the first signs of spring, and I took the opportunity to shoot this photo. These flowers were directly in the sun, but I create the shadow with my jacket.
I am not totally happy about the background, it is still too busy and cluttered. (Although I did remove all the dead leaves that would have been in the image.) But when I wanted to improve the shot the next day, the flowers were positioned differently (more in a triangle) and this was my preferred composition.
I hope Geoff will at least agree with me that I did manage to get rid of the biggest distractions (dead leaves, blown highlights in the background, etc) ;)

Technical details:
ISO: 400
aperture: f/20
Shutterspeed: 1/15
Focal length: 45 (as usual)
Used macro filter? Yes!

Good focus on the flowers and you have overcome those potential bright sunshine exposure problems.

Maybe just a fraction tight with the top and bottom framing, but nothing serious.

Sometimes (often in reality) you just have to accept an imperfect background when working literally 'in the field'. ;)

A couple of things which I frequently do with my processing are to create a selection around the flowers, with a slightly feathered edge then sharpen for just those areas. After which, invert the selection and apply some noise reduction to the background, possibly with a little bit of blur as well.

Then use a Curves Adjustment Layer to slightly brighten the highlights. Invert that layer then carefully 'paint' over just the flowers to apply some brightness only where required. Gradually add in the brightness with a low opacity soft brush until you get a natural looking result. Don't get over enthusiastic with this edit. Just a little, slowly applied, can make a considerable difference to the final scene.