Suggestions wanted: What can I do to improve pictures of this type? I know that I should control the background, which I tried to do. I am concerned about the angle and DOF. To my way...

JimWara Loc: Eastern MA

What can I do to improve pictures of this type?
I know that I should control the background, which I tried to do.
I am concerned about the angle and DOF. To my way of looking at it the subject should be sharp. (That's just me)

Jim

Flower display

cesarakg Loc: Candelaria - Brazil

Is that a vase? Why not plagiarise Van Gogh?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflowers_(Van_Gogh_series)

As a matter of composition, I thing you got it right, when you put it at the center. The colors are perfect, but maybe you have too much different flowers in the same vase (think about a theme). Maybe if you shoot it from the side, with a vertical composition ("portrait") instead of a horizontal ("landscape")...

https://www.google.com/search?q=flowers+in+a+vase&tbm=isch

...my 2¢...

Hammerboy Loc: Glasgow Scotland

How about using a different angle, straight down from above for instance, then there would be less emphasis on the background. Or focus on a portion of the display and get closer in.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

A couple of things, and these are just my preferences, so please accept them as just that ...... firstly, I would take this into post processing and create a high value Gaussian blur for the entire background, basically obliterating any noticeable lines, and while you had that selection going for you, would probably darken it somewhat while toning down the contrast ..... basically, you'd end up with what euphemistically is called a neutral color (goes with anything). Secondly I would select a higher f/stop to get all the flowers in focus. Right now, the left side of the arrangement seems almost blurred. On the other hand, if you wanted to invoke some creamy bokeh, go with a much lower f/stop, move in closer, and have the flowers at the back of the arrangement fade into nothingness.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

This was the only flower out of the bunch that was really infocus...and shooting at F4.....yes way to narrow DoF. Maybe you should use your flash if you have one...and get up there around F10 maybe F16.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Bret wrote:

This was the only flower out of the bunch that was really infocus...and shooting at F4.....yes way to narrow DoF. Maybe you should use your flash if you have one...and get up there around F10 maybe F16.

Excellent variation on a theme.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Bret wrote:

This was the only flower out of the bunch that was really infocus...and shooting at F4.....yes way to narrow DoF. Maybe you should use your flash if you have one...and get up there around F10 maybe F16.

I'm with the general idea here: get close and make tack sharp focus on what you want to emphasize. The original is too busy and lacks a clear point of attention for the eye. You want something more dramatic like the zoomed example. There are many other such perspectives in that bunch.

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

[quote=JimWara]You have already maxed out the ISO at 1000. F 4 is too large of an aperature to give you good DOF (depth of field). So.....need tripod and shoot with F-16 and long exposure. Or get more light. The light would be the first thing. David

JimWara Loc: Eastern MA

To all respondents. Thank you so much. I value your constructive insight. The next time we receive flowers
on our 49th I will give it another try. I guess I will
practice on paper flowers from AC Moore or something like
that. Again Thanks.

Jim

JimWara Loc: Eastern MA

cesarakg wrote:

Is that a vase? Why not plagiarise Van Gogh? br b... (show quote)

I had to laugh at the VanGough reference. My uncle 95 was an
accomplished photo-semi pro- He sold the Exakta and reverted to a pocket-snap camera.
The long and short; he retired and found he had a talent with watercolors. As a "copiest" and had to attach big disclaimer statements on his copies of "water lilies" etc. to avoid being accused of being a counterfitter of VanGough paintings.

Jim