Flowers

Bob in St. Louis · « **on:** 13 Jun 2007, 11:00 am »

OK Guys, whatcha think of these

EDIT: The camera was a Kodak C633 6.1 MP digital. Nothing special. Bought at Wally world for $170 with printer dock

JohnR · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 12:14 pm »

I like the last one, but perhaps a shallower DOF would have worked better - ?

Imperial · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 12:16 pm »

I must pay my dues...

An Ambridge rose

Pretty thing!

A very comprehensive linkpage to flower photo work!!!
http://www.cactuz.org/randi/linker.html

Imperial

IronLion · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 12:33 pm »

Its tricky to find a background that compliments your subject without being distracting, especially outdoors. I don't know to what degree you can open up your aperture to get a smaller depth of field, but if you could also try to find a background that doesn't seem as staged as the plain grass (looks almost like a picked flower) and not as distracting as all the lines of the other ones that could go a long way towards making a better photo. Also, some of them look like a quick Photoshop or equivalent edit could go a long way towards bringing out the colors a bit more. I find myself wanting to see the inside of the flowers, not the side, so personally I would say try to shoot from a higher angle, almost as if you're smelling them...

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 02:03 pm »

Quote from: JohnR on 13 Jun 2007, 12:14 pm

I like the last one, but perhaps a shallower DOF would have worked better - ?

I wouldn't even consider myself a novice photographer, but just a guy that can appreceate a good photo, and enjoys (the attempt of) taking a good photo. When I take a photo I try to consider lighting, background, angle, etc... but all the other jargon eludes me.
Soooo John, I assume DOF means "Depth of Field"????

Specifically what does/how does that effect my pic, or how do I adjust that??

Imperial, nice pic. I think I see what Ironlion is refering to about my background when I look at your photo.

Bob

gooberdude · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 03:21 pm »

You guys should check out my uncle's website...he's made a living out of close-ups of flowers and he's pioneered some interesting techniques with water & what not. Close-ups of flowers, bugs and dew drops seem to be his passion these days. His books are sold at Barnes & Noble and other big box book stores.

Tim teaches photography, hiking & conservation and the last few pages of all his books have extensive liner notes on each shot, including camera, lens, technique and what not. no secrets to Tim's art.

www.cloudland.net

Most of his inspiration comes from his backyard, and he has a mega Klipsch home theatre in the basement of his log cabin. He is one of Arkansas' favorite sons...

I think the bottom right link on the site takes you to photo albums. One thing Tim now does is bring a sheet of black felt with him on hikes. he slips it behind the flowers so the detail pops out, doesn't have to fight the grass and surroundings.

JohnR · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 11:03 pm »

Quote from: Bob in St. Louis on 13 Jun 2007, 02:03 pm

Soooo John, I assume DOF means "Depth of Field"???? Specifically what does/how does that effect my pic, or how do I adjust that??

Yes, it's the distance that is in focus. Making the background more blurred makes the subject stand out more. You need to open up the aperture (smaller number) to reduce depth of field.

I have difficulty with flora shots in a natural setting too