Evening in a Desert Garden

[PicBug]

Putting these out there for your thoughts on what I could do better and what you like. I'm new on the 40D, these are from my first and second outing. Thank you very much. Enjoy.

#1
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hFFU9IxiEtI/Sc7p2mA5x9I/AAAAAAAAI4o/mKwWWanJQy4/s800/mca2009.3.jpg

#2
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hFFU9IxiEtI/SdgewAM2jFI/AAAAAAAAI9c/u1AAujX0Yqs/s800/IMG_1439.JPG

#3
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hFFU9IxiEtI/SdgfX5kDHyI/AAAAAAAAI-Y/DaDtDMlejj4/s800/IMG_1586.JPG


#4
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hFFU9IxiEtI/Sdlx1akkmkI/AAAAAAAAJBQ/GP1vQtsyNIg/s800/IMG_1551.JPG

[tonydee]

Very accomplished. In particular, nice saturation levels without looking forced, and an excellent instinct for composition: good balance, sweeping curves, structured depth through the shots, and - in #1 and #2 - use of "spiky bits". Very effective overall use of lighting, but in the first three photos crucial subject matter is a bit too dark... even a little PP dodging might help bring up the central part of both flowers and the bird's face, making it more satisfying for viewers in their natural effort to focus on and get detail out of those regions. Sharpening and enhanced local contrast are other things that may subtly assist in that effort. Such fine work that that's the only thing I can suggest....

Cheers, Tony

[zom1414]

Very nice pictures, I love the bird one

[DerekSimon]

For me the bird really stands out as a favorite. I really like them all though in the end.

[Sisyphus]

I especially like #3. It can be so difficult to get the exposure just right so as to capture the subtle color graduations in a white flower (or any white subject). And the composition works really well. I also like #2, though. The elements suggest the idea of camouflage (both color and shape) where the bird seems to blend perfectly with the setting.

[MattMoore]

Colors are kind of flat in all of them.

[PicBug]

Do these look dark? I'm wondering if my monitor is calibrated on the brighter side.....

Thanks so much for the comments thus far, very helpful. These are actually possible submissions for a photo contest coming up in July of the gardens.

[tonydee]

They are dark, yes, and I have a pretty bright monitor (400cd/m^2). That's probably one of the reasons the colours look good to me... less "bleached" than is perhaps the current online fad. The more subtle elements of shadow distinguish them, and allow the kind of tonal detail that Sisyphus mentions. Will you be submitting prints or electronically? If the former, have to trust your own eyes, if the latter, need to poll us as you're doing.... Best of luck in July. Cheers, Tony