For a Photography Course

I have to hand in an assignment for a photography course. The objective is to portray your subject through a shallow depth of field. I would also like a good composition and sharp focus on subject. Not sure if either of these two make it. I have more if not. Would really appreciate your feedback!!! Which do you guys prefer??

I'm leaning towards #2.

Number two is great! Beautiful DOF.

Thank you!both. Appreciate your time and feedback.

No. 1 is good, but I think you could crop it a bit.

Don't like no. 2 because it's a bit annoying having the branch closer than the butterfly...

I prefer #2, but thinking it might look nice turned 90% clockwise and then cropping the bottom half the limb off. You may still need to level off the limb them. Just my thoughts . . . they are usually wrong, but at least I own them.

jack880 wrote in post #15231594
No. 1 is good, but I think you could crop it a bit.

Don't like no. 2 because it's a bit annoying having the branch closer than the butterfly...

Thanks for the feedback!
OK I see what your saying.

Thanks
Karen

DaBowers wrote in post #15231620
I prefer #2, but thinking it might look nice turned 90% clockwise and then cropping the bottom half the limb off. You may still need to level off the limb them. Just my thoughts . . . they are usually wrong, but at least I own them.

Thanks for the feedback I will play with it more.

Number 1 as the butterfly is well presented but the leaves give it context.
The branch in number 2 is very distracting.
Thanks and well done.

Also agree no. 1 could have more of a crop. Then an excellent shot.

RedSloth wrote in post #15232604
Also agree no. 1 could have more of a crop. Then an excellent shot.

Thanks for the feedback!

RedSloth wrote in post #15232603
Number 1 as the butterfly is well presented but the leaves give it context.
The branch in number 2 is very distracting.
Thanks and well done.

I see what you're saying about the branch being distracting, and I agree. But I think that can be solved with a crop. Crop the right hand side so that there's only green on one side of the branch, and then that works a lot better.

I think the problem is this...the branch extends through the entire photograph, creating two parts. Left part works. Blurry foreground (the branch), sharp middle ground (the butterfly), blurry background (all that green crap behind the butterfly). That's simple and effective, and it puts the emphasis squarely on the butterfly whilke creating a sense of depth in front of and behind the butterfly. That works, I think.

The problem is that the branch divides the image in two. So over on the right we've got the blurry foreground branch and the green background. That green on the right is really competing for my attention and distracting me from what's happening on the left. It's like...a second image competing with the first, and that second image literally doesn't have anything substantial in it.

I think the image works, it just needs a crop. Crop off the right hand side of the photograph until the green is only showing on one side of the branch.

Clean Gene wrote in post #15235676
I see what you're saying about the branch being distracting, and I agree. But I think that can be solved with a crop. Crop the right hand side so that there's only green on one side of the branch, and then that works a lot better.

I think the problem is this...the branch extends through the entire photograph, creating two parts. Left part works. Blurry foreground (the branch), sharp middle ground (the butterfly), blurry background (all that green crap behind the butterfly). That's simple and effective, and it puts the emphasis squarely on the butterfly whilke creating a sense of depth in front of and behind the butterfly. That works, I think.

The problem is that the branch divides the image in two. So over on the right we've got the blurry foreground branch and the green background. That green on the right is really competing for my attention and distracting me from what's happening on the left. It's like...a second image competing with the first, and that second image literally doesn't have anything substantial in it.

I think the image works, it just needs a crop. Crop off the right hand side of the photograph until the green is only showing on one side of the branch.

Sorry to be a dumb dumb but I am not sure I am following where I should crop.
Do you mind cropping it to show me what you mean?

Thank you
Karen