What makes a good image: technically this shot is a disaster, the eye is not in good focus, the petal on the left disappears into oblivion etc etc but there is something about this...

steve1oshea Loc: Reading, England

technically this shot is a disaster, the eye is not in good focus, the petal on the left disappears into oblivion etc etc but there is something about this shot that appeals to me and I haven't a clue what it is. That got me wondering "What makes a good Image"?

Image #1

ga6742

steve1oshea wrote:

technically this shot is a disaster, the eye is not in good focus, the petal on the left disappears into oblivion etc etc but there is something about this shot that appeals to me and I haven't a clue what it is. That got me wondering "What makes a good Image"?

There may be technical and artistic definitions of what comprises a good image but for me it's my personal satisfaction and pleasure from an image. I think this is a personal thing and an example is exactly what you stated. You know you like the image all the while knowing it's not technically perfect. If you are trying to please yourself you have the definition of a great image in your head. If you are trying to please others that presents a problem. How many others...etc? You present a good question. I shall be interested in the responses.

steve1oshea Loc: Reading, England

ga6742 wrote:

There may be technical and artistic definitions of... (show quote)

thanks for your input ga6742. I sometimes fall in the category of posting an image solely to gain recognition and omit the images that I personally like. I think the pursuit of perfection sometimes over-ride the simple pleasure of being out and about with nature and camera and just having fun. I sat in my garden trying to capture bees in flight and ended up laughing to myself for my utter failure in capturing a crisp image but it was only on reflection that I noticed that I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the process.
The images that I took I deleted straight away for not being in focus etc but with hindsight I could have kept them to remember the time with the bees.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

This is more Artistic than perfect.. I think Macro or any type of photography can work either way.....

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Many photos I see in here are described by the photographer as 'can't believe I got this' or 'please cc, I really like this.'

I don't usually because I would have to say 'slightly out of focus' or 'entire horizon is titled' or ' photo is way too busy and I can't see a subject'

A good image is one that I might look at, even my own and say, 'I can imagine being there for that and remembering it for the rest of my life.'

Someone else likes it, all the better.

You like it - it's great, you don't need confirmation

Sarge69

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

The composition and color definitely work for you here. And the background is a very nice soft shade with a smooth, consistent blur. The point of this photo is not to see how many hairs are on the arista of the antennae, but rather to see and enjoy the image of the fly in an aesthetic environment.

All in all, a pleasing photo to view.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Great advice here. Thank you.

ted45 Loc: Delaware

I do not believe a photo needs to be perfect to be satisfying. Remember "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

The photo you posted is very good in my humble opinion.

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

steve1oshea wrote:

technically this shot is a disaster, the eye is not in good focus, the petal on the left disappears into oblivion etc etc but there is something about this shot that appeals to me and I haven't a clue what it is. That got me wondering "What makes a good Image"?

Assuming you are talking about insects as your subject:

I think your "focus" (pun intended) is shifting toward getting the whole insect in focus & still maintaining good bokeh and pleasing composition. I have been struggling with this mental block for some time now. I really do like the challenge of "true macro" but I became really bored with macro shots of bug eyes and wanted to see what the rest of the insect looked like. Most have extremely intricate feet as an example. I've concentrated on extreme "close-up" photos and I am enjoying it.
For me, a good image has good color balance, good bokeh and the DOF on the subject (insect) deep enough to show detail. Putting all these together in the field is not easily accomplished.
Just my opinion.

sford122 Loc: Amarillo TX

Artistic? Absolutely. True macro? Probably not.
I have hundreds of shots I've taken that are not worthy of posting on this forum, but I keep them anyway for my own pleasure. That's what's most important and satisfying to me. Shucks, I have to admit I've posted plenty that are not worthy of this forum, for the pro's here anyway, but many newbies to true-life macro have really liked them. I'm old... so I do pretty much what I please! :)

riverlass Loc: northern California

It's about color, composition, feeling and beauty. This is a beautiful photo. Maybe you remember this fly and how you watched it for a long time. You might have connected with it on some level. The capture became the whole experience. The smells, the sounds... everything that culminated in THIS SHOT. It means something to you. That is valuable.
Perfection has its place but beauty is(as another person said)in the eye of the beholder.
Frame it and hang it somewhere. It's beautiful.

steve1oshea Loc: Reading, England

naturepics43 wrote:

Assuming you are talking about insects as your sub... (show quote)

I think you hit the nail on the head in that I too am interested in the whole insect, colour and bokeh. I think the close-up forum should have been just for this purpose, not just insects but of anything of interest shooting from say 1:5 up to nearly 1:1

MJL Loc: Wild Rose, Wisconsin

It works for me. The subject is in reasonable focus and the lighting is really nice. Colors and contrast are beautiful. The background is sweet and helps snap your eye right back to the fly. You may say it is not perfect, but it is a very pleasant and interesting image to my eyes. Mike

steve1oshea Loc: Reading, England

MJL wrote:

It works for me. The subject is in reasonable focus and the lighting is really nice. Colors and contrast are beautiful. The background is sweet and helps snap your eye right back to the fly. You may say it is not perfect, but it is a very pleasant and interesting image to my eyes. Mike

That's what appeals to me ,its the lighting. I use flash all the time now ,with its ability to freeze the moment and balance the exposure to give detail and colour in foreground and background. I have started to learn just to infill with flash and it will be a constant learning curve for me to find that balance. One day your think you come close and another I am miles off but one things for sure it will never get boring.
thanks Mike