need honest critique!

Leuce Deuce- I agree

Ducko- I’m glad you liked it! Saturating the flower a little bit more to give it more contrast seems to be the prevailing opinion... I lightened it up in this new edit, but I did not adjust the contrast, as I felt the adjusted brightness really gave it the extra contrast it needed without giving it too much more “pop”

Airfrogusmc- Thanks! I’m always very happy when I hear someone who enjoys my work!

Reign- your edits inspired me! I changed it up by brightening up the scene a little bit to make the fog a little bit more visible… I hope you like the new one!

Imagemogul- the rule of thirds is useful as a teaching tool for newer photographers because it rarely fails, but I think once you have an understanding it, you should feel free to break that guideline and make the image the way you see it in the minds eye. As they say, “rules are meant to be broken!”

Midnitejam- I’m here to take critiques, but I’m always ecstatic when someone likes my work! Thank you for the kind words!

GQsmithy-

Ihoney2- I think “pop” can be used extremely effectively in a vast majority of photographs because it usually gives either a realistic or a hyper realistic look to a photo, and one of the strong points of photography is it captures the extra fine details of a scene. However, I was not trying to accurately depict the scene… I was trying to accurately depict the emotion of the moment, which was fairly drab. BTW it’s a post harvest corn field… lol I don’t think I have ever seen a sugar cane field in real life! yeah the one L lens is a little deceptive… there is a reason I only have it and the kit lens!

Aram535- any critique or comment is always helpful! BTW, what is high contrast b&w? I wish the flower was just 2 dollars… blew 5 bucks on this shot lol

Barrett-fla—thank you for the kind words! I’m glad you liked it! At first I was looking for a good wild flower, but most of them are dead this time of year around here.

Bill Boehme- I hope I’m not being obnoxious with my replies... I’m really not trying to defend the piece, but I feel sometimes it is necessary to explain what and why you did something when someone asks. I feel that I might have a bias, though, because I created the thing and have that emotional connection with it, so if I am getting defensive, please give me a digital bitchslap and tell me to calm down! About those franchise studio photographers: I know they have to get defensive and aggressively sell their work, because I worked as one for about a week. They teach you a bunch of sells techniques which essentially amount to telling people that “this really is a good photograph, even if you don’t think so.” I guess that’s one of the reasons I quit after a week! I almost got sad that you didn’t critique the picture lol… I have to be honest with you, when you said extend the exposure time I thought you were crazy… I kept thinking that the fog would blow out the highlights, but I opened it up in Photoshop and just simply made it a bit brighter… good call! It looks a lot better now I think…Now I want to go shoot in the fog some more! I have a new edit of the picture at the end of this post.

Walzak Photo- you got what I was going for! With this new edit, I think I added more contrast without actually adjusting the contrast

Sorry for not responding earlier… it’s been a wild past few days. Anyway, here is the new edit:

Maybe a Photoshopped US Soldier helmet from WWII, upside down in place of the flower? I don't know.... I like it, but the 2nd edited version looks best with the softer colored flower.

I know what you're saying. Perhaps even a different flower would make me like this better. I LOVE the corn field, but the hibiscus just looks totally out of place, for me at least. A dandylion, sunflower, or other similar plant would work better IMO.

Oh, and I'm totally starting an organization call P.A.T. - Photographers Against Thirds... Coming soon to a theater near you...

Bigbitt8706 wrote in post #6190789
Bill Boehme- I hope I’m not being obnoxious with my replies... I’m really not trying to defend the piece, but I feel sometimes it is necessary to explain what and why you did something when someone asks. I feel that I might have a bias, though, because I created the thing and have that emotional connection with it, so if I am getting defensive, please give me a digital bitchslap and tell me to calm down! About those franchise studio photographers: I know they have to get defensive and aggressively sell their work, because I worked as one for about a week. They teach you a bunch of sells techniques which essentially amount to telling people that “this really is a good photograph, even if you don’t think so.” I guess that’s one of the reasons I quit after a week! I almost got sad that you didn’t critique the picture lol… I have to be honest with you, when you said extend the exposure time I thought you were crazy… I kept thinking that the fog would blow out the highlights, but I opened it up in Photoshop and just simply made it a bit brighter… good call! It looks a lot better now I think…Now I want to go shoot in the fog some more! I have a new edit of the picture at the end of this post.

Clint,

My remarks about critique were not really aimed at your replies, but were directed more towards what others have said about critiques. Since I have another life in the art world, I get to see formal critique sessions occasionally. I will be going to a symposium in Waco in October which will feature a few of the big names in the field of turned wood art who will be offering critiques on some of the gallery pieces there.

It occurred to me that I forgot to give my opinion of the image. I really like it. Initially, I thought that it was a little dark and flat, but I do like the muted appearance of the hibiscus in the field and think that was the right touch to match the overall somber mood. I think that increasing the exposure slightly (actual exposure is better than Photoshop), that the fog will become much more apparent and the evenness of tone that is characteristic of fog will help the image. Also, give the small amount of fill flash a try and you will be impressed by the results, I believe.

When responding to comments, I think that it is fair to be defensive or respond as you see fit if you receive a comment that is from an obviously unqualified points of view -- but ignoring such remarks is probably a much better tactic.

BTW, I have perused your gallery and think that you have been holding back on showing some really good work in this forum. I was very impressed with the range of things that you have done and believe that you have a very good eye for composition.

The bottom half of the image looks much better and smoother. I dont kno but the top doesnt seem so good.

Maxxum5 wrote in post #6190819
Maybe a Photoshopped US Soldier helmet from WWII, upside down in place of the flower? I don't know.... I like it, but the 2nd edited version looks best with the softer colored flower.

I like that idea too... but the flower needs (IMO) with something more "authentic" like a red poppy. I believe they used to grow on the battlefields in WW2? I believe it was the red corn poppy...