bleirer

Critique welcome.

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NMGal Loc: NE NM

Very pretty. I would maybe tone it down just a little.

bleirer

Attempt at toning it down.

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NMGal Loc: NE NM

Very nice, at least to me.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very nice work!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Nice image
As stated a bit to bright,rather that trying to correct in post, try using diffusion, to make the light

This link should get you started,
I have several kits of different style and size Reflector/Diffusion disks, you should find something you can use.
Or you could make a slight change in you camera settings.

softerhttps://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Collapsible-Reflectors/ci/1327/N/3662541020/pn/3

crafterwantabe Loc: Mn

Nice picture

bleirer

Appreciate the feedback.

woodweasel Loc: bellingham Wa

Love peonies, nice capture

Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

Flowers can be tricky especially if red or close to red. The issue, I think with this shot, is the time of day the shot is captured. Light is everything. It looks like it's near noon but maybe overcast? I would try the shot again within the 2 hours of sun rise or sun set, that being the sun is hitting the flowers. I've tried to get some red flowers and failed constantly only to find that the hard light was the issue (it shows as specular highlights on the pedals, blown red channel). Also watch your histogram and make sure you're not blowing out any colors. Reds blow out first. If you are shooting RAW, the representation on your camera is a jpeg and will blow out before the RAW file does so you can shoot more to the right, even touching (to hold more shadow detail) and in post you simply move the exposure back to what you saw. If you are shooting in JPG do follow the histogram as it looks. Try the shot again with the sun on it (morning or late evening) and take a bracketed group of shots so you can choose the right one later (if you don't chimp at the histogram) and use that tripod and self timer! Good luck.

bleirer

Correct about the overcast and time of day. It was raw and I was careful about ettr, but I agree something is not quite right about it. It is a pink peony though.

Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

Oh and about the histogram, look at it not in a combined view but as indiviual channels so you can watch the red. Hopefully your camera can display this or check it after chimping the shot with the histogram on. I can view the histogram before taking the shot so there is less experimenting with exposure.

bleirer

Tried again in the sun around noon. watched the individual channels to make sure no color was blown. These flowers don't last thought.

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Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

Okay, that is a problem. The sun is too strong at noon. Shoot within two hours of sun rise or before sun set. Your colors will tame down and the shot will work. I promise. I had bright red flowers with a waxy sheen that could not be taken near noon at all. I kept trying before going to work but it's all about light. Early and late light is softer and colorful with long shadows. Even portrait photographers avoid noon shots ... and simply eat lunch or take pictures inside. Please try again, early or late in the day. You got this.