Honest Opinions Please!

[grandpawrichard]

I tried playing with a couple of exposures on my camera tonight. They didn't come out like I had hoped they would, but they aren't to terrible either. Please give me your honest opinions.

Photo #1



Photo #2



I can stand Criticism, so don't be afraid to state what you really think! That way I can learn from my mistakes.

Dick

[RemingtonMike]

Thats beautiful

and I only say that word twice a year

[carpsniperg2]

They look great, the only thing I could say is they have a soft look to them and are a little hard to focus on the details of like the petals. But They look great to me.

[Eli346]

 Perhaps the sun should be offset a little with the flowered branches in the center or vice versa just to break it up somewhat. Good eye and the pics are great.

[BOWHUNTER45]

They look good ....
 

[lokidog]

I would like to have seen the first one with the sun completely behind the flowers to cast that glow around the edges.  Nice photos.

[runamuk]

I like the first one and how the sunlight is coming through the petals its gorgeous.  From an artistic standpoint it is a beautiful shot.  From  photography standpoint I am sure someone can find ways to improve it, me personally I like when things arent perfect and get a little messy I love cherry blossoms so the subject matter is also appealing to me...love the lighting....

[grandpawrichard]

Thank you for your Opinions! I noticed the softness in the exposures and I attribute that to a long exposure and operator movement. My main to objectives were to learn how to capture the sun rays and also to properly expose the back lit subject. I managed to get the sun rays, but I failed to expose the blossoms properly.

I have a Lot to learn!

Dick

[Huntbear]

for me,, the pics are cool...

However, the sun just is blinding to me.  in #1 if the flower cluster had blocked the sun out and you had a complete back lit picture it would have been fantastic.  Plus, just me, but am distracted by all the noise/stuff in the background..

Pic #2, just the blinding sun is very distracting to me..

That said, I love both of em ..

[robodad]

Rule of thirds would be my only suggestion or like suggested to block out the sun with your subject and use a flash to light the subject maybe so it isn't just a silhouette !!   

[grandpawrichard]

Thanks guys! Tips are well noted and will be used the next time I try.

Dick

[Todd_ID]

On the first picture, I like the way the rays came out.  How about an external flash 3' to the left of the camera to help expose the flowers easier.  That should allow you to still get the rays with a lower f-stop, if I'm not mistaken.  The almost-in-focus houses and foreground trees are somewhat distracting in the first, then they become less intrusive when they come into focus in the second with the higher f-stop; they'd also disappear to a much better effect with a lower f-stop.  In my weak opinion, this shot is basically impossible without a tripod and remote shutter release or using the timer setting.

All in all, I still say EXCEPTIONAL PICTURE!

[boneaddict]

Can't wait to see them.  (I'm at work and they are blocked from view. )

[Skyvalhunter]

While I like most of your pics there doesn't seem to be alot of clarity. Maybe thats what you are trying to achieve.

[Dbow]

I also though of a flash for fill on the blossoms. Maybe bounce it for a more natural effect. You may want to try a graduated filter of some type to mute (everyone else has used soften) the glare from the setting sun. I am a great fan of back lighting, you are on track for some very dynamic photographs.

I really enjoy the photos, please keep sharing them with us.

[Hornseeker]

I agree with what Huntbear said and I too had the thought that Todd had, about getting some light on this side the blossoms to make them pop....

Good effort GP... I can see what you were seeing, but I bet you agree that you didn't capture quite what your eye was seeing. Right?

[grandpawrichard]

I have a tendency to Over Think Things and I go Overboard when it comes time to Test Things. That is why I have always been so Lucky to become a Product Tester for Archery Equipment. I set up things to their Maximum and then try to make it fail or to prove it can be made to be better. Once in a while it bites me in the butt!

I really appreciate the help and the suggestions you guys and gals gave me!

Dick

[boneaddict]

bet you agree that you didn't capture quite what your eye was seeing. Right?

That happens to me A LOT!   I had a cool bee and the light was reflecting off his wings.  Do you think I could get that on "film".  Not sure what I did wrong.

[PlateauNDN]

Bone, your pictures in my opinion are always good.  Keep up the good work!

[jyerxa]

That is a tough shot. You did good!

[Bean Counter]

I definitely like pic #1better myself. I would have liked to seen more hard focus on the petals, as stated earlier. You definitely have a good eye for capturing a shot--the rest of the stuff is just details.