Flower

[shiruikage]

I will like feedback on photography techniques.
The following is the camera settings used to photograph this picture.
ISO: 50
Aperture: F4.4
Shutter: 1/200
Taken with flash.



I took this with the preset setting of my camera used for macro shots. Here, I don't know if the results came out okay or not.

I wanted to show the details of the flower, but somehow, everything abut the flower looks white. Did I do something wrong?

 

[night86mare]

you probably need highlight recovery if you want to see the details of the photo.

that said, composition is very weak, the flowers are in a jumble, framing chops off the scene at weird parts - flower cut off at the top, flower from other bunch creeping in at the bottom right.

there are two ways to go about it here - either you find the "order in the mess", or you keep it simple but going in closer. here i think you tried the former, but to me, you have failed.

this is probably not very close up - did you try going even closer?

take note of aperture settings at macro level.. here it is not really macro so you still have reasonable dof based on the not-so-appropriate size of picture posted.. post something larger and i might be more confident in commenting. but if you're really, really close up, try not to use such a large aperture value unless you're attempting some sort of effect. the dof in macro photography is literally, razor thin.

 

[shiruikage]

oh. the framing was dictated by the light, coz wen i took dat foto, its the oni part in the sunlight. i took the foto from about 3 inches away. any closer, my camera cant capture a clear shot.

as for the aperture, is there a recommended level? my camera can oni use 2 (f4.4, f5.6). its a p&s.

i am trying to focus the 2 flowers in diagonal across the frame with the green leaves as background. not too blured coz i wan them to be in context of the flower, but not too sharp lest they distract from my flowers. sigh...sad case i din even notice about the other flower till u mentioned it.:embrass:

the foto got a link to a bigger version.

i want to improve. can i ask for ur pointer as to how i can go about it? my oni camera is my old Casio Exilim z-110.

thank you for your reply.

 

[night86mare]

oh. the framing was dictated by the light, coz wen i took dat foto, its the oni part in the sunlight. i took the foto from about 3 inches away. any closer, my camera cant capture a clear shot.

as for the aperture, is there a recommended level? my camera can oni use 2 (f4.4, f5.6). its a p&s.

i am trying to focus the 2 flowers in diagonal across the frame with the green leaves as background. not too blured coz i wan them to be in context of the flower, but not too sharp lest they distract from my flowers. sigh...sad case i din even notice about the other flower till u mentioned it.:embrass:

the foto got a link to a bigger version.

i want to improve. can i ask for ur pointer as to how i can go about it? my oni camera is my old Casio Exilim z-110.

thank you for your reply.

1) i guess then your camera is limited by the minimum focusing distance. did you try zooming in in macro mode? it is possible that you might be able to capture something closer, but i am not sure, not familiar with casio models.

2) only 2 aperture settings in macro mode? hrm. f/8 and above is usually the norm for macro shots.

3) yes, we often do not see distracting elements until it is too late.. though photoshop and careful cropping can still end up with something good.

4) how to improve.. not sure about this shot, how it should be executed, there are probably limitless ways if you have the time to look at all the possible angles. but one way of certainly improving is to shoot a lot, be honest with yourself whether certain shots are good, certain shots are not.. and ask for critique with regards to the shots you think are good. you might get some ego deflation.. but you would certainly improve if you are earnest. cheers

 

[white5tar]

correct me if I am wrong.

I think you shouldnt use flash coz at such close distance everything will be blown out hence everything appear white and the details are gone. Since its taken under sunlight I dont think flash is required at all. If really needed u can try using a tissue paper and cover the flash to give a diffused flash instead of direct flash.

Thats just what I think. I am quite new too so just sharing my thots. Do correct me if I am wrong.

 

[dennisc]

Oh my gawd.. flower whites are overblown, composition too messy, what's the point of the picture too cluttered where do u want the viewers to look at! Bin the pic! P&S is no excuse for the composition, try to use macro then full zoom your exilim into a subject, and practice!

 

[shiruikage]

4) how to improve.. not sure about this shot, how it should be executed, there are probably limitless ways if you have the time to look at all the possible angles. but one way of certainly improving is to shoot a lot, be honest with yourself whether certain shots are good, certain shots are not.. and ask for critique with regards to the shots you think are good. you might get some ego deflation.. but you would certainly improve if you are earnest. cheers

yes, i am open to critique. i wan to learn more, and welcome of any pointing out of mistakes that i made.

correct me if I am wrong.

I think you shouldnt use flash coz at such close distance everything will be blown out hence everything appear white and the details are gone. Since its taken under sunlight I dont think flash is required at all. If really needed u can try using a tissue paper and cover the flash to give a diffused flash instead of direct flash.

Thats just what I think. I am quite new too so just sharing my thots. Do correct me if I am wrong.

tissue paper over flash....i see.i tried with a piece of regular white paper, never works...thanks for the idea!

Oh my gawd.. flower whites are overblown, composition too messy, what's the point of the picture too cluttered where do u want the viewers to look at! Bin the pic! P&S is no excuse for the composition, try to use macro then full zoom your exilim into a subject, and practice!

wanted the viewer to look at the flower amidst the green backdrop actually. yeah, composition too messy. zooming while in macro mode...never used before. never thot of using it actually! LOL. now i know. thanks.

and yes, I will practice! fight-tohhhhh ON!