Here is a comment from someone who viewed your post earlier but didn't have time to comment until now!

It has to be the last one for me. Very moody although some of the detail is lost in the bottom half of the shot. Maybe playing about with levels etc. will pull out some contrast in the foreground?

Number 1 just isn't interesting for me, in Number 2 my eye is constantly searching for the focal point as none of it appears to be crisply in focus, Numbers 3 and 4 are just not my subject matter so I don't find them interesting or exciting (not to say that they are not good, just not my cup of tea), and I don't like the composition in Number 5, as it chops the view in half.

So there you go, you wanted comments, you got comments!

Fiona

Well I voted number 1 for the reasons other people have mentioned. The background trees "lead" me along to the tree and the real focal point of the image.

I'd be willing to bet that number 1 is the original and number 2 is the reversed version. I believe that some people can just tell whether a photo is original or reversed (or reflected - however you want to put it). Maybe we should have a series of different images and get people to guess which ones are original and which are reflected?

Now that I've babbled on like an idiot I'm sure Dan will prove me wrong!

Fiona

Hi Darlene,

An interesting subject, but neither shot works for me I'm afraid.

The first one definitely has focus issues, the leaf at the top seems most in focus, and unfortunately that leaf has holes in it which aren't too pleasing to the eye.

The second shot also has a bug-eaten leaf which is a shame, and it looks as though in the gap in the middle of the berries, there should be another berry or two?

The dark background is a bit distracting, I guess they were taken at night? I would try to take the photos again in daylight, when a flash may not be necessary, and if possible a closer shot of the actual berries and less foliage. Obviously this depends on what lenses you have.

A good effort. I always find that if you walk around the plant you can see the best composition before taking any photos - this way you might be able to find a bigger bunch of berries or leaves that haven't been eaten yet!

I hope you find my comments helpful.

Fiona

Ah-ha! I'm afraid it's a trade secret, much like the hot shoe mounted Danny!

Thanks Dan. I was really drawn to the scroll detail at the end of the bench. Photographed it loads of different ways, but this was my favourite composition.

Thanks all for your comments.

Fiona

Thanks for your comments!

Hefty, funnily enough, it was how the light was falling on them that made them catch my eye. I always tend to look carefully for the little/hidden things that other people might miss!

I think that it's great that even though we were in the same place, we looked at it differently. We should definitely do it again. No offense to Danny (Unlocker), but being out with different people, that have different interests and ways of taking shots, really helps get the creative juices going - and makes for a fun and enjoyable day out!

Fiona

I completely agree with George, on all counts. Beautiful subject, but the overall images look a little dull, lacking that "pop" that could have been achieved by better light or maybe a flash. I also think the crop on the first one is a little tight on the left. Personally, I would clone out the seed head/bud on the second and crop a little to get the flowers more centred in the shot.

A good effort, just not "bang on the money" for me.

Fiona

Thanks for the comments George. I see your point with the last one. Maybe if I'd have got some sheep in the foreground it would have added more depth and interest? I'll have to go back and get them to pose correctly!

Fiona

And of course, there's the industry secret - Vic's 55-Danny lens!




Ok, not quite as good as Hefty's.

Fiona

p.s. sorry I haven't posted my shots on this thread, just felt there were too many!

For some reason at Stowe on Sunday, I found myself taking a lot of landscape shots in portrait!
I suppose I wanted to try and compose the shots differently to "the norm", and the changes in the landscape really stood out reeds, water, grass, and sky).

All shot with my 35mm 2.8 on the K10D

As all 8 are portrait I apologise for the lonnnnng post in advance!

Let me know what you think anyway!

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Cheers,
Fiona

I had an absolutely fantastic time on Sunday, meeting up with Hefty, Dan and Vic at Stowe. It's the first time in a very long time that I've reviewed my photos and found it extremely hard to pick the ones to post!

So, I thought I would start with Stowe Church. It was great to have the challenge of low light conditions, something I'm not used to. Anyway, here they are, all C&C (good and bad, just be honest) welcome.

All taken with the 35mm f2.8 macro on my K10D, no flash.

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Thanks,
Fiona