I posted this on my profile, and it's been voted as needing work, please help me know what works this portrait of a raindrop needs? Let me know what you think by going to my pro file and up voting this photo if you think it's GREAT! if you don't then leave a comment about it HERE! THANKS, BOBBY
The colour images are a kind that I think is very hard to get just right, Bobby, from experience.
Images I've seen of water droplets on leaves that have inspired me to imitating them have been very simple, with usually just one or a couple of drops dead sharp. The difficulty generally lies in isolating the droplet(s) visually, without too much distraction in the surroundings, especially objects in front of the plane of focus. And that, I think, is what holds back the colour images.
The monochrome is much "cleaner" and better for this, the absence
of colour removing another potential distraction. And I'm a colour fan, by & large.
Hi Bobby,. I left suggestions for your first image when you posted it in the black and white group. Hope those helped.
The trouble with these water drop shots are twofold. The first is that 'water drops on leaves/petals' are so so common that you have to do something absolutely amazing to rise above the pack. That's hard. The second thing is that, for me, droplet shots have to be REALLY simple to work. Droplets are like delicate bits of glass and need the entire image to be about them. They can't be part of a bigger scene and have the subject be the droplet.
I would try a tight crop on a leaf with a droplet and see if you get something that feel right.
Best wishes!
In my opinion, your intention with the shots was solid, but your execution is lacking. When shooting simple subjects such as flowers, water drops, and such things you have to present it artistically. It's no different than shooting a sunset in that, there has to be an artistic expression behind the shot.
In these shots, I feel like you were aiming for something artistic, but in the end you simply relied on bokeh and moderate closeness to the subject.
The first image, there's nothing too interesting going on, and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking at. The blade of grass is in focus, but the stalk behind it isn't, so is the main subject that one blade of grass? It's just missing elements of intrigue and context.
The color shots with the water drops, I see what you're going for I think, but you're too far away to really impact a viewer with the intrigue of the droplets. Also, that starburst has got to go, ruins everything on that second color image.
Lastly, think about the subject you're shooting and ask yourself, why am I shooting this? Am I shooting this because I think droplets are interesting, and if so, how can I convey to a viewer just how interesting they are? When shooting minimalist nature shots, you need a very clear subject in the shot, then add elements around it if, and only if, it enhances the shot. But, the subject of the shot needs to have something interesting about it, whether it's light, color, scenery, whatever, just something that catches your interest. Then, do your best to capture all the elements that drew your interest, and try to photograph it in such a way that you're able to express that interest in the shot.
Sorry my reply is late! I totally get at what your saying about each shot, but I did get as close as I could, my problem is that I don't have a macro lens at all so I tried to do the best I could. I've only been doing photography for three years at that! Plus I'm self taught and only have a limited budget and can't afford a macro lens! I appreciate your feedback so much, thank you!!
I shoot macro without a macro lens. Use whatever lens you can, then in post, crop in as much as you can without go so far as to get blurred edges.
I can't offer any help since I don't typically take pictures of this type. But I can offer a little in the way of how I feel when I look at them. I like your first picture. It has a certain mood to it. With the focus in the middle, the left side is good with a leading line into the focus. The right side is distracting with the blade of grass distinct and right at the edge. On the color pictures, I just get a little lost in the scene. My favorite is the last one. I go right to the drop of water, and I think that is what you want me to look at. Thanks for sharing!