unfolding beautyby
slonkoComment by CEJ: Hello from the Critique Club!
I have studied your image and have the following to offer:
Composition/perspective - the slight angle to the flower is an excellent position for this capture. The subject to frame size ratio also works very well with this image. Since the right hand side of the flower is cut off, perhaps a slightly different crop to remove the negative space on the left would have made an even stronger impression as it would have allowed a larger overall image (closer to 640 on both sides). This would not have hurt your application of the rule of thirds either, which is also well done. Focus is clear throughout the image with a few fuzzy areas in the foregounrd. But nothing I find a distraction.
Color - well...b/w white so no color. However, the shadows and shades of gray present provide an overall rich tonal quality to the image. A lot to capture interest and keep you looking. B/W also adds to the impression of depth between the petals. In my opinion, if in color you would have lost this quality which would be a shame. It works very well with this image. Well done!
Lighting - the lighting appears as though one source from the right top direction (based on the highlights). Just enough to give the overall appeal with the shadows, not too much to give a lot of flares/glares/blown out white spots. A few of the highlights on the edges of the petals appear slightly blown out, but overall the b/w processing keeps this from being a real distraction. The balance between light and dark is well controlled overall.
Challenge requirements - the subtle folds and curves in the flower, nicely accentuated by the other qualities and processing, definitely convey a sense of delicateness. It is good that there are no other elements in the image to change that (stem, leaf, etc.)
Overall/my opinion - as stated above the negative space on the left...I think, although a strong image now, it would have been even stronger if this was cropped out and the flower held the whole frame. Very well done photograph that does not appear over-processed in the least and the composition works very well as a black and white image. Very well done!
Photographer found comment helpful.