Wood Hysynth and Fennelby
SwashbucklerComment by dsidwell: Greetings from the Critique Club!
I concur with all of the compliments below!
This image works pretty well for me. I see a blue flower with some other lovely colors mixed in, and I see some fennel, which pokes in from the bottom right and which vanishes to the upper left. The fennel acts as both a subtle frame here, and also provides some engaging lines which draw the eye to the hyacinth and then off the image to the upper left. The two main objects are outstanding together here; I really enjoy how they compliment each other nicely in both color and form. Because the fennel both enters and leaves the frame, we are given a hint that there is more beauty to be found even outside the frame of the photograph.
The light you've used (or found) really enhances the gentle nature of these objects. The shadows are soft and pleasing. DOF works well here too, enhancing the invitation to thing that there is more to be found beyond the photo itself.
Some below have noted that the fennel leaf at bottom right distracts from the image. I disagree, but it does pose slight problems, and the problems are a tad complex. Your title suggests that the two are equal, and the bottom right fennel certainly is in focus, but the object that really carries the weight here is the hyacinth. Yet you've given one of the fennel leaves sharp focus. However, it may be that what is disturbing folks is that we want the two to either be equal in power (right now the hyacinth has most of the power--it's even in the center of the frame) or we want the fennel to act as an enhancement, giving all of the power to the hyacinth and be content with its role as lovely background. Instead, we may have some slight "turf wars" going on here. The fennel seems to be vying for power it is not supposed to have, and so some find it a distraction rather than an enhancement. I suppose we want peaceful shots like this (established so well by you through lighting and focus) to seem balanced and free from such battles!
If more fennel were in focus, this problem might be solved, but you might lose focus and interest with too much busy-ness going on. Also, if the shot were cropped tighter to eliminate some of the hyacinth (at the upper left) and let the fennel at lower left be as large and important as the section of hyacinth, that might solve some problems. I'm sure there are other choices.
In sum, I like this image. It is soft, peaceful, the colors and lighting work extremely well. IF there is a problem, it is probably due to an ever so slight sense of unbalance created by split focus, even though your title suggests we should look for two elements. The flower has the power, when it should probably be shared with equalivalence.
Super work. I look forward to seeing more of your images in future challenges!
David
Photographer found comment helpful.
