It's very subjective Steve, I wouldn't worry too much, it's a great shot however it is processed.

Regards
David

I've taken the liberty of doing a quick 30 seconds on it, what do you think?




Regards
David

I was thinking in terms of the Fox's right eye being so much in shadow. The low key approach helps to disguise the foliage that is in the foreground, but I still think lightening the shadows would be the best bet.

Regards
David

Here is my third offering; this is probably more akin to the type of shots you will be familiar with me posting (i.e. a landscape), although it is different from my 'normal' approach.

You may have seen a version of this posted on the Gallery about 12 months ago. This is a mono conversion, to which I have applied a split toning technique, so the colours are not natural nor are they representative of the scene as it was, but I think it works. It's taken with the K-5IIs and DA L 55-300 lens and it demonstrates what a great lens this is. It was specifically chosen to compress the perspective and lend the shot a 'layered' appearance. It was shot in the Straits of Gibralter, with Southern Spain in the background.

I hope you like it and I'm happy to hear what you think.

3. Mediterranean Sunrise




Regards
David

3 for me too, although I think all three shots are very good. They would all benefit hugely from some careful processing to bring a bit more detail from the shadow areas, especially the third one.

Regards
David

Hi Michael, yes they are from the windows. There are three separate windows at the front of our caravan and a further one at each side, so this is why there are multiple catchlights. I haven't altered them at all.

Regards
David

Congratulations on your recent purchases Drew, you do know now that we are expecting great things from you with all this lovely glass? No pressure of course!

Cheers
David

I love the treatment of the first one John, just right for the subject I think.

Regards
David

Bump - does anyone want some quality accessories for macro work? If anyone wants to make me an offer I will consider it as these are gathering dust on my shelf!

Cheers
David

Thanks all for your comments on the first image, the observations you have made were expected and this was the intent of posting this particular image. This one needs to be seen in its full size to get any real sense of the fly in the foreground, but as I mentioned I purposefully posted one that I knew would be harshly observed!

I wanted to provoke some thought about the different approaches we could take and how a shot like this could work, especially with a larger main subject in the foreground.

Now for the next image. This one is a lot more straightforward but there are a few things worth mentioning before comments are posted about it. Firstly, it's not a studio shot, it was taken in our caravan of all places with just the available light coming through the windows. Secondly, it was shot with a macro lens with aperture wide open, the Sigma DG EX 105mm F2.8 Macro, a lens which is great for portraits with its subtle colour rendering and nice bokeh. Thirdly, it's not a 'posed' shot, it was taken 'as is' in a natural situation. It's a shot of my wife Nicola, which I have hanging on the wall in our living room.

2. My Beautiful Wife