• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

Bashful

© Beth Spencer

Bashful

Uploaded: April 05, 2013

Description

Canon 7d, Canon 100 mm 2.8 IS macro lens, 0.3 sec, f/11, ISO 400

Exif: F Number: 11, Exposure Bias Value: 0.33, ExposureTime: 3/10 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 100.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 7D

Comments

Michael Kelly level-classic April 05, 2013

Beth it looks like Spring has sprung in your area. Nicely composed and some great colors in this beauty.

I do think this shot has some serious problems. The yellow area is the center of focus yet is very dark with no zip to it, and the blown whites and bright areas at the edge of the shot pull your eye away to strongly. Actually I think the best thing to do is reshoot with better lighting and perhaps a black cloth to kill the BG. However there are some things that can be done to make this shot pop a bit.

In the example I posted the yellow area was selected and adjusted with levels using the selection as a mask. I put a black vignette on the shot. I painted some color on the white petal using a clone at 25% opacity from some of the purple petals surrounding it. As always, this is not meant to be a definitive edit just to illustrate what these techniques can do and what the techniques look like. I only spent about 2 minutes editing so with more care and working on the full size original you should be able to achieve much better results. #1522632

Michael Kelly level-classic April 05, 2013

Here is the shot - I wanted it after the first comment as sometimes an early post will cause a change of ownership. #10642981

Chris Budny level-deluxe April 06, 2013

I think Michael's pop in the yellow helps, but for my two cents, for this kind of flower close-up, I think a deeper field of focus is needed overall; too little of the flower is in crisp focus for my tastes. When you look for focus, you find it in unexpected places - like the pollen/dust on the petal above your signature, and on the petal at "about 11:30" closest to the center.
That said, wow--what a fantastic burst of purples and blues... I can see why this called to you & your camera! I always tell myself I should swing by a flower shop and get some subject matter for a day of still-life and macro, and then I never do! #10643199

Jeff E Jensen April 06, 2013

Well, I agree with the guys on all points. Mike's brighter yellow and other changes are good improvements. #10643246

Peter W. Marks April 06, 2013

The others have taken care of the technical stuff, Beth, so my thoughts are that I can see nothing "bashful' about this beautiful bloom. She is showing off her colours bigtime. All ready for her first prom I should say! #10643292

Anthony L. Mancuso April 06, 2013

I will continue the man banter and agree with what all of the other XY chromosomed phellos have declared about this image thus far. #10643405

Kalena Randall April 06, 2013

I like the composition of this, Beth! I think the flower is lovely, but I do agree that the yellow needs to come up and the white edges are a bit bright. She shouldn't be "bashful" at all with the beauty she has! #10643411

Teresa H. Hunt April 06, 2013

Beth does this mean spring has finally come to your area of the world? I sure hope so :)

You've captured a beautiful image and I'll look forward to seeing your edits #10643669

Beth Spencer April 06, 2013

Thanks, Michael I have done the edits and hope they help. I hope the guys will like the improvements in my edits. I also included another shot from the same day. Teresa spring is slowly coming here, I actually bought flowers right before Easter when we were knee deep in snow one day, because I needed some color. I still have them but work again tomorrow so if they are still looking good on Monday will try to reshoot. However my Crocuses are blooming and the snow is almost gone. Yeah, so here are my edits - Thanks everyone! #10643740

Teresa H. Hunt April 06, 2013

I like the first edit best.

I'm glad your snow is finally melting :) #10643854

Rita K. Connell level-classic April 07, 2013

love purple... I like your second edit best. suggestion made a great improvement. now you notice the beauty that was there. we are all ready for spring! #10644353

Debbie E. Payne April 07, 2013

Your edits are better. I prefer edit one to edit too. Not caring for the black vignette. Flower Power is slightly out of focus in the center. If it weren't for that, I would like it the best. Was it windy? If it is still out there I would try for an early am before the wind picks up. Did you use a tripod? What was your aperture? #10644521

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You &

Love It!


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Beth Spencer.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.