Barbara Asacker  


 Aspen Red by Barbara Asacker

September 2020 - Aspen Red

About the Image(s)



35mm lens
f/4
1/1000 sec
200 ISO
handheld

I shot this flower outside under the shade of an umbrella. I processed
the image in Adobe Camera Raw, darkened the background, cropped, and
sharpened the image.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted




Murphy Hektner   Murphy Hektner
Hi Barbara: Good exposure and sharpness on both flowers, if the flower was in bright sunlight a really good idea to shade with the umbrella to soften any harsh shadows. Background objects are somewhat distracting, they draw the viewers interest away from the red flowers. In macro close in photography your background needs to be free from any distractions, always focus into the background before you take the picture and remove any type of distracting objects.   Posted: 09/06/2020 13:58:12
Barbara Asacker   Barbara Asacker
(Group 65)
Hi Murphy,
Thank you for your advice. Next time I will replace the background if it too distracting.
Barbara   Posted: 09/06/2020 17:04:02



 
Very appealing image, Barbara. The DOF you achieved at f/4 is impressive. I found myself staring too long at the top right of your image, trying to decide what the horizontal green and tan pattern was? And, I apologize for that comment absent a suggestion; just didn't have one.   Posted: 09/09/2020 18:42:59



 
BARBARA,
NICE CLOSE UP OF THE FLOWER,YOU PLACED IT IN A NICE POSITION (IN THE SUGGESTED LOWER THIRD), AND YOU CHOSE ONE OF THE HARDEST COLORS TO GET RIGHT, RED, (THE OTHER ONE TO ME ARE WHITES AND YELLOWS).
AT F4 YOU GRABBED QUITE A BIT IN FOCUS, AND A LOTS OF DETAILS IN THE OUTER PEDALS.
AGAIN RED BEING SO HARD TO EXPOSE RIGHT, I PERSONALLY THINK MORE LIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE FLOWER (MAYBE A SMALL REFLECTOR) THEN WE WOULD SEE MORE DETAILS WITH THE STAMENS AND THEIR STEMS, MAKING THEM STAND OUT ALSO.

BUT WE REALLY ALWAYS NEED TO WATCH OUR BACKGROUNDS.

A LITTLE TRICK I USE, IS KEEPING SMALL PATCHES OF CLOTH (LIKE THOSE DISPOSABLE HAND TOWELS) THAT I CAN USE BEHIND MY SUBJECT, ITS A LITTLE TRICKY WHEN BY MYSELF BUT I SET UP ON THE TRIPOD USE A REMOTE TRIGGER AND AND THEN HOLD THE CLOTH UP AND FIRE AWAY. IT NICER TO HAVE FRIENDS.

I DO MENTION TO ALWAYS WATCH YOUR EDGES ALSO.
THE BOTTOM PEDAL JUST ABOUT TOUCHING THE EDGE.

BUT KEEP IT UP WAY TO GO...   Posted: 09/11/2020 17:40:19



Barbara Asacker   Barbara Asacker
(Group 65)
Thank you Richard. I will be more aware of my backgrounds. Sometimes I like to keep a natural background without it being distracting. Any suggestions?
Barbara   Posted: 09/12/2020 08:33:13
 
WELL THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS TO DO THAT,
YOUR ALREADY USING SHALLOW DOF

MORE SEPARATION BETWEEN SUBJECT AND THE BACKGROUND
CLOSER TO THE SUBJECT
LONGER LENS
CHECK THIS SHORT VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lrcxEnRP0I
  Posted: 09/13/2020 18:21:47
Barbara Asacker   Barbara Asacker
(Group 65)
Thank you Richard.   Posted: 09/13/2020 19:05:11



Priscilla Farrell   Priscilla Farrell
Hi Barbara, Focus on your flowers and the bright red/orange make this an attractive photograph. (I've heard competition judges like the those colors.) I like your composition with the subject just off center. You have received some good advice regarding backgrounds. I do like your idea of using an umbrella as a way of making shade.   Posted: 09/22/2020 09:47:32
Barbara Asacker   Barbara Asacker
(Group 65)
Thank you Pricilla   Posted: 09/22/2020 14:39:56