Spring : Continued

A follow up set here, continuing my exploration of the gardens at Heathfield and Coombe Woods, near Croydon, with some wider views and flower close-ups. The first thread is here .... link

All captured with the K7 and either the Tamron AF70-300 Di LD, SMC A50 1.7, SMC F35-70, or Samyang 14mm UMC ED....


1.







2.







3.







4,







5.







6.







7.







8.







9.







10.







11.




Thanks for your interest and comments

Lovely set. 3,8,9,10 and 11 are super, #8 my favourite.
But#1 hurts my head for some reason.
Maybe it's a lack of depth to the image, but something just seems wrong to me.
Not looking at it anymore.
Derek

Yes - another lovely set with superb colours. I know Derek doesn't like number one but again I love its colours!

Thanks! I'm quite happy dividing opinions Derek , perhaps its the perspective and angle? Someone elsewhere actually said he would like to wallpaper the house with that photo!

Hi Nigel. Yes it is an angle and perspective thing, I would need to be locked into a padded room if I papered the house with it
To me it reminds me of the type of paintings very early painters did, before the discovered perspective, and vanishing points. Weird how different people see different things.
Anyway as usual another great set, (bar #1)
Derek

I think I'm clearly way behind the early painters then ! Yet to discover perspective and vanishing points myself ! Lucky I'm just a photographer

I'm going to stop now before this hole I'm digging gets any deeper.
Good job you know I'm not being nasty or anything.
Derek

Of course not, it's an honest response. I do think there is something about the angle as well as the slight defocussing away from the centre that is a little disorienting, so its a valid point. In any case I'm always grateful for any discussion on my photos, good or bad

Hi Nigel - it's a long time since we crossed swords!

I've looked at this set a few times now and had to put a few things that are in my mind down on paper so to speak.

Firstly, the set is 'not my cup of tea'. The style / colours are not for me but I can appreciate that a lot of others really like them.

I'm conscious this is just a personal opinion, but there are a few specifics:

- Number 4 has some really odd / unnatural colour going on - not sure what is causing this?
- Most of them are too 'busy' to allow my eye to settle and explore, for me the most successful are the ones with isolated subjects like the Bluebells and the yellow flowers
- The colours overall seem to be a bit overdone, especially the green tones

The above comments are not in any way intended to be any reflection on your ability as a photographer, they are specific to this set. I hope my honesty is appreciated; I know you normally take these things as intended Nigel.

Best wishes
David

Sword drawn and ready David Its a rare treat now to benefit from your insights, so I'm delighted to see your comments. I think the colours are a little different in this set than my other recent garden and floral ones ... My only explanation is that quite a few were taken in soft overcast with the sun intensity building ...I suspect this lack of contrast but actually quite strong light has boosted tones a bit ... When the sun is out I found the greens less intense especially if there were reflections.

Here I tried to show the flowers in their wider surrounds, although I wanted to keep the compositions tight ... But yes, there is a lot going on in a few of them that's true

Thanks for the pointers, all this to bear in mind on the next shoot. Good to bump into you again David .

Thanks Nigel, I knew you would take my comments in good heart. They aren't pointers BTW, it's not for me to say how you should approach your photos, these are just personal observations that aren't any more valid than anyone elses. I would guess a lot of people don't see my style as their cup of tea and there's room for all of us (and a few more) on here!

Cheers
David