DA Photo Contest Forum / Photography / Critique / I wish I was a Flower / Latest Posts

RE: I wish I was a Flower

JDenker — Sat, 19 May 2007 10:51:42 GMT

[quote][b]eninja2k (5/19/2007)[/b][hr]
I had not said anything because I think Nikimoto said pretty much what I would have...
The focus is in a plane behind the "front" of the image. To be perfectly honest, I think I would rather see this in color. Not that you didn't do a good job with the B&W but personally I just don't "get this" in B&W. I have in the past taken pictures of just leaves and when looking at them on my computer, I didn't necessarily think they were all that interesting to look at. I guess it's hard to compose and interesting image from something that is taken for granted and "plain", ESPECIALLY in B&W. Probably because without color, one has to rely on form, contrast, tones, etc., to make a good B&W. I should make the disclaimer that I am not a great photographer so I am not being condescending. I am simply stating that I believe one has to make up for lack of color with something extra interesting. So, I guess given the cropping, composition, and your willingness to not take for granted something so simple, you have potential to make very good/interesting images. This one to me is just not particularly interesting.
[/quote]

Well thank you all for your thoughts.
Guess I need to go back to the drawing board to find "it". I wasn't too sure on the whole B&W thing, but thought I'd give it a try, ya know. Oh well.

[quote]By the way, I had the opportunity to visit Wisconsin a couple years ago when I was the best man at my friend's wedding. The wedding was in Minnesota, just across the river from WI. So, I drove over to get some cheese, because why wouldn't I. It was good cheese. Also, I love the accents people from there have. I think the women sound very cute. I had a blast up there! [Smile] [/quote]

Yea, what's funny about the accents is the farther north you go the deeper it gets. MAN do i miss the trees and green grass...not to mention the shade!!! But the scenery here ain't too bad really(se arizona), what with all the mountains and wild flowers.

-Joni

RE: I wish I was a Flower

JDenker — Sat, 19 May 2007 09:26:46 GMT

So what do you think of my photo while your busy being a funny tough guy?:smooooth:

-Joni

RE: I wish I was a Flower

JDenker — Fri, 18 May 2007 21:57:09 GMT

Oh your funny

;)

-Joni

RE: I wish I was a Flower

JDenker — Fri, 18 May 2007 14:25:37 GMT

[quote]If that's a pot plant, it's a male.
[/quote]

Nope, sorry. No pot plant here!

-Joni

RE: I wish I was a Flower

JDenker — Fri, 18 May 2007 14:16:36 GMT

[quote]I looked at the picture for a full minute before
reading your comments above.

Before reading your description I was going to
say that I liked the way the plant is situated within the frame (cropped?) but that I think it would have been better if focused on the closest leaves and there was a little more contrast.

After reading your description I'll add that
you definitely accomplished your goal. I spent more time looking at it than I probably would
have if it were focused on the leaves in the
foreground. This doesn't change my overall
opinion though.

If I were voting I would give this a 7, which in
my book means, "significantly above what any
average person taking snapshots might do but
not at all special".

I hope this doesn't sound harsh. It isn't meant to be. I noticed nobody had responded to it so I
just thought I'd take a look and give you some feedback.

~ Nick[/quote]

Well thank you for your opinion. I do see now what you mean about the contrast. I'll have to play with it some more. I was thinking about doing it over but this time with low saturated color. Something about this plant just makes we want it in B&W though...yea, I'm rambling. When I first seen this plant I couldn't help but think that it was attempting to be a flower with the way the leaves spiraled up to a point, making it a deviant of leafy plants :P

Now that you mentioned it and I look back about 20 more times, I should have shot it with the closest leaves in focus. I'd go back and shoot it, but they are non-existant in SE Arizona...oh well. Got pleanty of flowering cactus to focus on...Literetly!!!

Thanks again!

-Joni

RE: I wish I was a Flower

Tonka — Fri, 18 May 2007 09:15:03 GMT

I hesitated to give my opinion onthis because I am not sure I am seeing what I should in regards to "is this a certain style"

I do think you accomplished your goal as well with this but, it is too contrasty for me and it appears "ruddy" or noisy to my eye...The subject lacks interest for me as well.. I felt a sharper division between the light and darks would have been much more pleasant... and smoother tonal range with better clarity..but then again ,,that is the style which I am drawn to...:)

I agree that the title was very good for this..and no offense this was just my opinion...for the taking or the leaving :)..

RE: I wish I was a Flower

NiKiMoTo — Fri, 18 May 2007 08:10:43 GMT

I should add that the title is very good IMO!

RE: I wish I was a Flower

NiKiMoTo — Fri, 18 May 2007 06:43:48 GMT

[quote][b]JDenker (5/17/2007)[/b][hr]I shot this back in the fall while still living in Wisconsin and was wondering what some of ya'll thought about it. The original is in color but I wanted to play with B&W a little. I purposely shot with a narrow DOF so that all of the attention wasn't on the first few small leaves, and it would force your eye to look 'around'.

It's not in the voting pool yet, just wanted some opinions first.
Thank you for looking :)

Joni Denker
[img][/img][/quote]

I looked at the picture for a full minute before
reading your comments above.

Before reading your description I was going to
say that I liked the way the plant is situated within the frame (cropped?) but that I think it would have been better if focused on the closest leaves and there was a little more contrast.

After reading your description I'll add that
you definitely accomplished your goal. I spent more time looking at it than I probably would
have if it were focused on the leaves in the
foreground. This doesn't change my overall
opinion though.

If I were voting I would give this a 7, which in
my book means, "significantly above what any
average person taking snapshots might do but
not at all special".

I hope this doesn't sound harsh. It isn't meant to be. I noticed nobody had responded to it so I
just thought I'd take a look and give you some feedback.

I wish I was a Flower

JDenker — Thu, 17 May 2007 13:53:51 GMT

I shot this back in the fall while still living in Wisconsin and was wondering what some of ya'll thought about it. The original is in color but I wanted to play with B&W a little. I purposely shot with a narrow DOF so that all of the attention wasn't on the first few small leaves, and it would force your eye to look 'around'.

It's not in the voting pool yet, just wanted some opinions first.
Thank you for looking :)

Joni Denker
[img][/img]