Day Lilies: I love the variety of colors and shapes of day lilies. I only wish the bloom lasted longer. Here is one of my newest. Monrovia. Please criticize my photo so I can learn.

kksnye Loc: Ellwood City, PA

I love the variety of colors and shapes of day lilies. I only wish the bloom lasted longer. Here is one of my newest. Monrovia. Please criticize my photo so I can learn.

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dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I like your photograph so am not going to criticize it at all. If I may make a couple of suggestions I would not center the flower in the picture. It isn't bad but I think if you had it off to one side or maybe toward a corner it would look better. Also on the top right there is a dying green leaf with the brown tip showing. It detracts from the picture. Next time try closing down your aperture, f stop, it will create shadows behind the flower which will then make the flower, "POP" out at the viewer. You may have to close down some shadows in your post processing.

None of these things are bad as is and the picture looks nice. But if you take more time to check what is in the viewfinder you will be able to get rid of unwanted stuff. I bring these things up because I am often guilty of the very same things.

Good luck with your photographs.

Dennis

kksnye Loc: Ellwood City, PA

Thanks, Dennis. I will give more time to looking at the viewfinder and setting up the photo. I have to remember the rule of thirds. I have another day lily that just started to bloom so I will try your recommendations and post again.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

kksnye wrote:

Thanks, Dennis. I will give more time to looking at the viewfinder and setting up the photo. I have to remember the rule of thirds. I have another day lily that just started to bloom so I will try your recommendations and post again.

That sounds great. Don't be afraid to try different f stops to vary depth of field.
You might also try a flash to isolate the flower from the background. The brightness of the flash will allow you to close down your aperture. Just some thoughts. Good luck with it.

Dennis

kksnye Loc: Ellwood City, PA

OK. I am trying again. Different Day Lily.

F4.0
ISO 800
Shutter1/320
24mm

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dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

kksnye wrote:

OK. I am trying again. Different Day Lily.

F4.0
ISO 800
Shutter1/320
24mm

I think it is a big improvement from the other photograph you submitted. I like the background much better as it is not competing with the flower. I like the composition much better as well. Well done in my book.

But how do you like it? That is what matters most.

Dennis

kksnye Loc: Ellwood City, PA

I like the photo composition but I would like to improve the color of the flower. My eye sees a slightly lighter orange. However, I was losing the available light due to dark clouds. Thanks for the input. You really challenged me to take more time to compose my shot. Kudos!!!

pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

kksnye wrote:

I like the photo composition but I would like to improve the color of the flower. My eye sees a slightly lighter orange. However, I was losing the available light due to dark clouds. Thanks for the input. You really challenged me to take more time to compose my shot. Kudos!!!

These two photos are really nice. You are doing well. Do you use any program to post-process your photos at all. I am assuming these images that you posted are straight out of the camera. If you used some simple program to change the brightness, contrast, and saturation a little. And, then cropped a little you would have some extremely nice flower pictures. If I may, I would recommend Faststone Image Viewer. It is free, and is very easy to use. Nothing spectacular, just simple adjustments. Keep up the good work and have a GREAT DAY!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

kksnye wrote:

I like the photo composition but I would like to improve the color of the flower. My eye sees a slightly lighter orange. However, I was losing the available light due to dark clouds. Thanks for the input. You really challenged me to take more time to compose my shot. Kudos!!!

Believe me that is exactly what I have to tell myself while I am taking pictures. Unless the subject is a fleeing bird or animal or a subject I am not likely to see again I try to look at the subject before even setting up the camera. I have taken my share of flower photos where I see the photo on my laptop and discover a dead flower or leaf in the photo. Sprinkler hoses are another culprit to watch out for.

Can you increase saturation to brighten the flower?

I wish you continued success.

Dennis

kksnye Loc: Ellwood City, PA

Thanks so much. They are straight out of the camera. I have not taken the step to processing; I guess because I want to improve my camera skills first. I appreciate you giving me a sight to use.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

kksnye wrote:

Thanks so much. They are straight out of the camera. I have not taken the step to processing; I guess because I want to improve my camera skills first. I appreciate you giving me a sight to use.

I think you will find that even the most professional and expert photographers use post processing. When we used film cameras photographers were doing post processing in the darkroom by dodging and burning to bring out or diminish areas of the photograph.

I don't know what program you are using but a simple saturation increase will make that flower pop just fine.

Dennis

MissStephie Loc: West Virginia

I think the 2nd shot is much better :thumbup:

kksnye Loc: Ellwood City, PA

Thanks, Miss Stephie!

kksnye Loc: Ellwood City, PA

I altered the saturation. The color became more like what my eye was seeing. Thanks for the advice.

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