C&C Please!

I took this photo early this week, and edited it in adobe photoshop elements. I was trying to create a hot verses cold topical fantasy look. What does everyone think of composition, the colors, etc.??? Comments and critique please!

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I like it, but I would get rid of the very bright highlights in the background with more black.

LeuceDeuce wrote in post #5924009
I like it, but I would get rid of the very bright highlights in the background with more black.

I tend to agree with you about the highlights, though with the two sided editing I did I tend to visuallize a dividing line down the middle and the highlights on the left half help distinguish it from the right half in my mind. But that's a very subjective way to look at it obviously.

Thanks for your comment!

How did you get your 40D to shoot at 1/256?
I agree with the highlight. I would dim that down a little.

midnight_rider wrote in post #5924303
How did you get your 40D to shoot at 1/256?
I agree with the highlight. I would dim that down a little.

Noted! I was using Aperture priority mode to get the most DOF from such a wide focal length and that's the shutter speed selected apparently... lol

I tried a crop to tighten it up a bit, while leaving enough of the "hot and cold".
_

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I agree with the highlights as well. It didn't really bother me at first. Then after it was pointed out, it seems to be all that I look at. This is just a nice shot that I don't want it ruined by it. IMO...

Pierre81385 wrote in post #5924336
Noted! I was using Aperture priority mode to get the most DOF from such a wide focal length and that's the shutter speed selected apparently... lol

Ahhh a quick check shows the site I copied the shot info from "deviantART" incorrectly read the data in the photo I uploaded. A check of the original RAW shows a 1/250 exposure NOT 1/256.

LeuceDeuce wrote in post #5924354
I tried a crop to tighten it up a bit, while leaving enough of the "hot and cold".
_

I never want to crop my shots, but this is nice! Thanks!

JenniferLShort wrote in post #5924357
I agree with the highlights as well. It didn't really bother me at first. Then after it was pointed out, it seems to be all that I look at. This is just a nice shot that I don't want it ruined by it. IMO...

Lol after it was mentioned now its all I can look at too... I hate when that happens!

LeuceDeuce wrote in post #5924354
I tried a crop to tighten it up a bit, while leaving enough of the "hot and cold".
_

Did you try cloning? I like the bigger picture. The cropped is nice, but I really think you are not doing your original work justice. It is so pretty!

JenniferLShort wrote in post #5924403
Did you try cloning? I like the bigger picture. The cropped is nice, but I really think you are not doing your original work justice. It is so pretty!

I'm not always that successful with cloning. That would be particularly compilicated near the out of focus flowers to the back... but I'll give it a try!

Cloning is one way (more work than I'm willing to do), but my reasoning for the crop was not because of that. I find that there is just too much dead space around the whole image, and the crop helps keep my eye from wandering around the perimeter.

I spend a lot of time looking at the barely exposed parts of the original image trying to see what's there.

Not suggesting better, just different.

Pierre81385 wrote in post #5924376
I never want to crop my shots, but this is nice! Thanks!

Is there a reason? You shouldn't let some "standard" format dictate your image. Your image should dictate the format.

LeuceDeuce wrote in post #5924474
Is there a reason? You shouldn't let some "standard" format dictate your image. Your image should dictate the format.

OCD honestly... and the original format is perfect for desktop wallpaper! I should mention that, while I've branched out since I started, the original purpose of my photography was so I could eventually have some cool desktop wallpapers all my own. I do crop my images from time to time, but I do like to keep to a standard. It drives me crazy to have loads of odd shapes and sizes!!!

BTW are there any tips you can give me on composing with the rule of thirds??? I have such a hard time getting it right, and it looks to me the crop you did followed the rule well.