Four From Today

We took a trip into Gloucestershire today. These four were all taken with the K100 fitted with a 35mm Optomax lens because it was already on the camera.
Poppy Field


Strange Trinity


Moon Daisies


Summer House by the Lake


I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Liking the daisy's and the last shot, which has a lovely dreamy feel to it.

No. 1 is my pick from these Andrew. I like the minimalism, with the even distribution of the poppies and lack of anything to break up the carpet of colours. However I don't really like the panoramic format - I think a portrait format shot would have made more of the flowers receding into the distance.

Shot 2 doesn't really grab me - sorry I can't put my finger on why! Perhaps the relationship between the objects isn't quite strong, or weird, enough.

Shot 3 and 4 aren't quite working for me compositionally although the daisies are very nicely rendered.

Thanks guys. So only number two is a complete "miss"!

I've changed my mind about shot 1 Andrew - I think it's fine as it is. I'm afraid I was viewing it on a rather small (smartphone) screen. I really ought to stop doing that!

I don't think no. 2 is a complete miss... I can see what drew you to the shot.

Thanks Will,

The problem with Poppies is that they didn't start growing until some distance in from the wheat field edge and I didn't have a zoom lens with me. There was also NOTHING of interest on the horizon to draw the eye and the sky was white and dull! Thus the picture is a severe letterbox crop!

The Strange Trinity is just a surreal landscape. I took about five shots from different heights and in varying light. It was always intended to be a monochrome shot. As you suggest there's something that doesn't quite work...

I like the crop of No 1 Andrew - it works for me 'as is' also.

No 2 seems to lack a relationship in space, time or type, that binds the three objects? I can't pin it better than that, the conversion is fine BTW.

I agree on the rendering of No 3, although the focus is in an odd location in the composition - was that the intention?

Re 4 - that shot might have benefited from Magic Hour light - assuming you were able to stay there for that time! As it is, the light is a little 'flat' for mine - personal view only.

Thanks i-Berg

Interesting comments. I really enjoy what you have to say about images.

In no.2 it was the very incongruity which drew me to the three objects. The result is not happy or harmonious, nor is it pleasing to the eye, but will we remember it?

I wanted to daisies to recede using focus but isolating the best ones, in the front was a problem. It was also widny with their heads dancing around. I tried hard but it's not right, I know.

With no.4 I used the highlight/shadow command to lift the detail in shadows. You're suggesting this was overdone and I can definitely see your point. The original was much more contrasty but I imagined it like this!