Study of a daffodil(s)

[Kaye Leggett]

Following on from posts last week and (hopefully) lessons learnt from Geoff and Ted and suggestions by Mike, yesterday I headed out in search of daffodils.

It was the challenge for getting the colour right as much as the composition

Here are the results, for which I welcome more C&C

1 - Trumpet 1



2 - and Trumpet 2



3 - closer



4 - and closer



5 - Trying to use the shadows

[Max von MeiselMaus]

Some great use of selective focus there. The bokeh on 2 is especially juicy. And the colours look good, if slightly green on a couple. I like the textures your have captured in these. Your focus is spot on.

What I would look out for is that you have your light hitting the bits that you want to emphasise. On one or two of these, the lightest part of the image (so, the most eye catching) is in the background, with the foreground being somewhat dingy. I know it is difficult when shooting out in the wilds to get the light just right, but moving around your subject to find the angle at which the light hits it best could help.

[JohnRostron]

I do like #1, but I think that there is too much ambient light on my tablet to appreciate #3, #4 and #5. I will comment on them later.

John

[deetheturk]

Good series Kaye, not an easy subject to shoot especially as close as this outdoors, well done

[Shadowman]

Nice exercise, the concept (Elements) changes the closer you get to the flower.

[Kaye Leggett]

Some great use of selective focus there. The bokeh on 2 is especially juicy. And the colours look good, if slightly green on a couple. I like the textures your have captured in these. Your focus is spot on.

What I would look out for is that you have your light hitting the bits that you want to emphasise. On one or two of these, the lightest part of the image (so, the most eye catching) is in the background, with the foreground being somewhat dingy. I know it is difficult when shooting out in the wilds to get the light just right, but moving around your subject to find the angle at which the light hits it best could help.

Thanks Max - that is very good advice.

[Rebel]

I like them, love the light in them all.

[IzzieK]

My vote goes to #1 and the last one...The first one is my favourite and the last one because you have captured the texture of the petals.

[Kaye Leggett]

Thanks all for the comments it all helps to feel that I am getting some better direction and how to develop further - much appreciated.

[Mike Buckley]

Nice improvements, Kaye. Did you use any reflectors or diffusers?

Regarding Max's comment about the bright background light, notice that it draws attention to the subject in #4 but distracts attention away from the subject in #3.

In the last one, the information in the upper half isn't helpful to me and the little bright triangle at the upper right edge of the frame is a distraction. Consider cropping the top to just above the highest tip of bright light to make an abstract. If you have a photo that provides a tiny bit more at the bottom, it could become a Rorshach test: is it a photo of two bright tips pointing upward or one shadowed tip pointing downward?

[Kaye Leggett]

Thanks Mike for your useful comments. The diffusers and reflectors arrive today !! Then I'll take a look at the others again and try for some more shots whilst the daffodils are still with us.

[Stagecoach]

Good series Kaye, for me No 3 is the pick of the bunch without question

[JohnRostron]

Having had a better look on a decent monitor, I can say that I particularly like #3 and #4.

John