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Jun 15, 2021 21:06:03   #
stant52 Loc: Williamsport, Pa.
 
Looking at all the great pictures on here I have been attempting to obtain a shot as good as what I've seen . So here's a few to scrutinize. THey were all shot hand held and no pp.
Thank you


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Jun 15, 2021 21:33:07   #
RichinSeattle
 
Subject matters. (In fact, I'd say it's the most important factor in getting people to admire your work.) And, the subject of your pix is "pretty flowers." Regardless of how well they're taken, they're ONLY flowers (which I can go into my backyard to peruse in person). Expand your horizons.

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Jun 15, 2021 21:41:53   #
ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK
 
RichinSeattle wrote:
Subject matters. (In fact, I'd say it's the most important factor in getting people to admire your work.) And, the subject of your pix is "pretty flowers." Regardless of how well they're taken, they're ONLY flowers (which I can go into my backyard to peruse in person). Expand your horizons.


On a recent trip to Victoria, we were headed to the Butchart Gardens. A friend of ours said, “They’re just flowers.”

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We don’t all have the Butchart Gardens in our back yards.

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Jun 15, 2021 22:02:46   #
RichinSeattle
 
ejones0310 wrote:
On a recent trip to Victoria, we were headed to the Butchart Gardens. A friend of ours said, “They’re just flowers.”

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We don’t all have the Butchart Gardens in our back yards.


The beauty of the Butchart Gardens is in the landscaping, not simply the individual blooms.

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Jun 15, 2021 22:05:01   #
NMGal Loc: NE NM
 
There are many of us who like flowers and take lots of pictures of them. There are also many other beautiful and interesting things in this old world.

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Jun 15, 2021 22:08:07   #
mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area
 
Very nice pictures. Lovely flowers!
Mundy

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Jun 15, 2021 22:36:31   #
stant52 Loc: Williamsport, Pa.
 
ejones0310 wrote:
On a recent trip to Victoria, we were headed to the Butchart Gardens. A friend of ours said, “They’re just flowers.”

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We don’t all have the Butchart Gardens in our back yards.


But what I am looking at is the clarity, the detail . Is my focus correct ? Not subject matter . I shoot an assortment of pics, landscapes, car shows, still life, I'm still trying birds but they're never in focus .
Thank you

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Jun 15, 2021 22:40:19   #
ELNikkor
 
Flowers are such willing subjects; they just sit there and look beautiful. Nice shots of them, but some are not in clear focus, and all of them are from pretty much the same angle. Try from the side with a blurred background for variety, or, as part of a larger landscape. Many of my best shots are ones I've found just by travelling to someplace new. You never know what you can find out there!

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Jun 15, 2021 22:48:03   #
Doc Mck Loc: Terrell,Texas
 
With my flower pictures, I can enjoy these beautiful plants year round. I’m so glad I transplanted so many bulbs around the ranch when I was young.

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Jun 16, 2021 06:57:11   #
JimmyTB
 
I'm not skilled enough to give any technical advice but in my opinion you need to work on lighting (as do I). Also, the 3rd picture I'm distracted by the shadow at the bottom, it looks like it could be the top of your head, but maybe not. As for 'they're only flowers' I take pictures of subjects that interest me and also subjects of no interest to me just for practice with lighting, exposure etc.. Keep shooting and you will get better. Best of success to you.

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Jun 16, 2021 07:12:57   #
wham121736 Loc: Long Island, New York
 
In download they look fine - focus, detail, lighting ok, except for shadow on one. Composition is the area I think you need to concentrate on. Look at some of the excellent work others do here (see for example the great work of Old Hippy today, and others) and you will see what I mean. Consider -less is more, rule of threes, framing, negative space, cropping.
stant52 wrote:
But what I am looking at is the clarity, the detail . Is my focus correct ? Not subject matter . I shoot an assortment of pics, landscapes, car shows, still life, I'm still trying birds but they're never in focus .
Thank you

Reply
 
 
Jun 16, 2021 07:21:38   #
stant52 Loc: Williamsport, Pa.
 
JimmyTB wrote:
I'm not skilled enough to give any technical advice but in my opinion you need to work on lighting (as do I). Also, the 3rd picture I'm distracted by the shadow at the bottom, it looks like it could be the top of your head, but maybe not. As for 'they're only flowers' I take pictures of subjects that interest me and also subjects of no interest to me just for practice with lighting, exposure etc.. Keep shooting and you will get better. Best of success to you.


Yeah , I saw that shadow also ,but I thought the pictures seem too soft ? I guess thats what I mean ,there isn't sharp enough detail ? Or am I being too critical ? Thanks

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Jun 16, 2021 07:29:40   #
JimmyTB
 
stant52 wrote:
Yeah , I saw that shadow also ,but I thought the pictures seem too soft ? I guess thats what I mean ,there isn't sharp enough detail ? Or am I being too critical ? Thanks


I'm sure others with more skill and talent than I will comment. But you might try stopping down to a smaller aperture for this type picture. You were at f/5.6 maybe take the same picture at 3 or 4 different f-stops and compare, but then you will lose some of that background blur that you have in the 2nd picture. You might also try a tripod, or if you don't have one try to brace yourself and your camera against something firm and unmoving. Just remember I am at about the same skill level as you so my advice should be considered accordingly.

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Jun 16, 2021 07:43:20   #
ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK
 
stant52 wrote:
But what I am looking at is the clarity, the detail . Is my focus correct ? Not subject matter . I shoot an assortment of pics, landscapes, car shows, still life, I'm still trying birds but they're never in focus .
Thank you


They appear to be too soft to me. Do you do any sharpening in post? Your lighting also needs some work. Try a different angl where the light can be seen shining through the flower. A light modifier would also be of help. They look like you shot them in full sun with the sun behind you. That’s a cliche lighting theme, which makes photos look run of the mill. Branch out, try some things you haven’t tried before. Look at things from different angles than the normal.
D
I went back to photo #2 and looked at the exit data. I see your shutter speed was only 1/30 second and your ISO was 200 and aperture 5.6. Given your focal length was 220mm, I would say you were using a zoom. Try a prime lens with a close focus and boost your ISO so that you can get your shutter speed up and also your aperture into the f8.0 range. That should sharpen things up. Most zooms are a little soft compared to a prime. Also your shutter speed should be faster than 1/focal length to combat motion blur. The faster the better so long as it doesn’t compromise your aperture. If you can’t get the speed into that range mount your camera on a tripod and turn the VR off.

I know that’s a lot to digest, but you did ask.

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Jun 16, 2021 08:12:02   #
dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida
 
As in cooking recipes are important... sure, wander a little adding flavor, but the basic recipe you have that works is the center point.

When I photograph flowers especially wildflowers, suppression of the background, at times junk or trash, is important. The background and the flower are well lit by the sun so we need to dim the sun effect. I use a tight lens for good focus, fast shutter speed, low ISO, and my weak on-camera flash. In so doing without the flash, the photo would be very under-exposed. The flash is the predominant source of light.

At times, if the background is close to the flower, to blur the background open the lens and up the ISO in effect creating a bokeh effect. Occasionally, I may use a black or gray felt fabric to drape behind the flower.

Depending on your camera's flash, you can change the intensity by distance, remember it is subjected to the square law that says intensity is affected by distance squared. Also using a bit of paper tissue over the flash softens it and makes it less harsh.

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