My First Attempt at Flowers

[snydersnapshots]

My daughter had her appendix out day before yesterday (she came through just fine--I knew she was OK when she told my wife she'd hit me with my camera if I brought it into the hospital room... ). My parents sent her some flowers and I hijacked them to take some pictures.

I tried to apply some of the concepts from the Strobist site as well as the book Light Science and Magic and I'd like to get some C & C. I've got my own personal thoughts on some things that need to be done differently, but I'm interested in what you all have to say.

[DigitalScape]

Ken, I like the rich colors in the arrangement. The image looks a bit soft which may be caused by the slow shutter speed, 1/60, (especially if your shooting this handheld). The DOF is also too shallow (f/2.8) - probably should be in the f/5.6 - f/8 range. I like the lighting on the left side of the arrangement, but the shadows on the rose on the right looks a bit too much. That's my two cents.

[snydersnapshots]

Originally Posted by DigitalScape

Ken, I like the rich colors in the arrangement. The image looks a bit soft which may be caused by the slow shutter speed, 1/60, (especially if your shooting this handheld). The DOF is also too shallow (f/2.8) - probably should be in the f/5.6 - f/8 range. I like the lighting on the left side of the arrangement, but the shadows on the rose on the right looks a bit too much. That's my two cents.

Thank you John. The softness was one of the things I noticed too--it appears to me that the focus is actually on the edge of one of the leaves and everything else is pretty soft. I was using a tripod, so I think it might be the DOF. I'm going to try it again with f 5.6 or 8 like you suggested and see how that does. If it's still soft, then maybe I need to have the lens and/or camera looked at.

I'll play with the lighting a little bit. One thing I might try is a little light from behind to try and separate the flowers from the background a bit.

Now, a question about the forum--I've noticed many others talking about the exif data in various ictures. Are you getting that by downloading the picture and looking at it in PS, or is there a forum setting that I'm missing that will show the data in peoples' pictures?

[DigitalScape]

Ken, I view the EXIF info on the pictures via a add-in for my web browser called Opanda (Exif viewer : Opanda IExif - Professional EXIF / GPS / IPTC Viewer & Editor in Windows, IE & Firefox) - no need to download the image. The add-in is free.

[snydersnapshots]

I'll get that John, thanks!