Critique: Flower+Durian

[Samp1e]

Hi! I'm quite new to photography, though I think I've more or less grasped the basic techniques. This is my first post on CS, and from just browsing the forums I think you people are all very nice, I just thought you guys might be able to give me some critique on my photography technique and tips for beginners. Thanks!

1. in what area is critique to be sought?
I would appreciate critique on technique. I have edited the photo in lightroom-bumping up contrast and lowering darkness to make the flowers "stick out" more than the esplanade- do you think that I have done too much pp that it looks unnatural? Other than this, critique in terms of composition or basically any other critique is appreciated

2. what one hopes to achieve with the piece of work?
I've always thought that the esplanade was quite an eyesore. Though some might disagree, what this photo was trying to achieve was to make the esplanade's appearance look insignificant/just part of the background as compared to the flowers

3. under what circumstance is the picture taken? (physical conditions/emotions)
I took this on a Saturday afternoon around noon near the merlion. It was extremely bright and thus iso 100 was achievable handheld. It was also VERY HOT! (ah Singapore weather at this time of the year... Terrible. Hahah)

4. what the critique seeker personally thinks of the picture
I haven't calibrated my monitor yet, so whilst editing in lightroom I edited based on what I saw on my monitor, so I don't know how it looks like on a calibrated monitor ): however I think that the low iso+nice shooting conditions resulted in a sharp photo (at point of focus). I zoomed into the telephoto end of my 24-105 so the bokeh would look more appealing- but I still think it is a little ugly.. Anyway that's about it Oh and I'm planning to calibrate my monitor soon-do you guys have any experience in this, and what should I do? I've read that Spyder is a good bet, but I would like to hear from you. Thanks!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79176621@N04/7254533732/" title="Flower &amp; durian by samsamsammeh, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7254533732_6fb92e3b75_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Flower &amp; durian"></a>

 

[chiangkxv]

Hmmm..

Linking the picture for u.

Check out this thread for guide on how to link Picture from Flickr: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/articles-guides/832975-posting-your-picture-flickr.html

 

[chiangkxv]

Sorry for being blunt, but what I see from the picture is a someone exploring thin depth of field.

If you feel that the esplanade is an eyesore to you, why choose to include it in the first place? It does not make the nicest background (at least in this case), either you can make it your subject, or don't include it at all.

 

[Samp1e]

Sorry for being blunt, but what I see from the picture is a someone exploring thin depth of field.

If you feel that the esplanade is an eyesore to you, why choose to include it in the first place? It does not make the nicest background (at least in this case), either you can make it your subject, or don't include it at all.

But my purpose of having it in the background was to juxtapose its appearance against that of the flower's.. thanks for linking it! I realised after I posted it that I had to link directly to image source cause I couldn't find it on Flickr, but I couldn't edit it because new members have to wait for their stuff to be posted :/ Yeah I guess this isn't the best image to ask for critique for. Thanks!

 

[ganw2001]

hi Samp1e. welcome to CS, I am newbiew too
When I see this pic, my attention was straight away went to the Esplanade, instead of the flowers.
IMHO, the background had become the point-of-interest here, maybe due to the composition coz it occupies almost whole pic.
Cheers & keep shooting!

 

[chiangkxv]

But my purpose of having it in the background was to juxtapose its appearance against that of the flower's.. thanks for linking it! I realised after I posted it that I had to link directly to image source cause I couldn't find it on Flickr, but I couldn't edit it because new members have to wait for their stuff to be posted :/ Yeah I guess this isn't the best image to ask for critique for. Thanks!

keep shooting.

 

[moveslikejagger92]

yup keep shooting! why not start by taking the durian as the main focus of the picture first?

 

[megain]

Good try! I realised your flowers are sharp!(I know it's hard sometimes due to the wind) But I think you need to experiment more on different ways to compose an image.
Keep shooting!