Primavera
by mariomel

Comment by rmahan:
You've picked a good subject in tulips, an interesting flower whenever and wherever you go. Obviously, Atwater Market was the right place to go for the Flora challenge.

As several people noted, your composition is good although I think that the single bloom in the front overpowers the others a bit. With the somewhat uneven lighting, it magnifies that effect. Personally, I wouldn't crop quite so tight at the top but that's probably just me.

The technique you followed --- high shutter speed with flash --- did produce the black background you wanted. Unfortunately, that same flash is a harsh source of light and causes unwanted shadows in the picture. I don't know much about your camera but either an off-camera flash or using a diffuser might have softened those shadows to the point that they just provided a nice 3-D effect on your subject rather than being an uneven light source.

Your focus and DOF are both quite good and I like your border. These enhance the picture and help to make it very interesting. And, of course, you've chosen a very good subject to start with. Nice job!

Regards ... for the Critique Club,

Bob Mahan
(rmahan)

Three Views Around the Lake
by mariomel

Comment by Swashbuckler:
Very cool shot! I really like the fog hanging on the lake! The silhouetted trees are very nice. I'm liking this better and better....score upgrade from 9 to 10! Rob the Swash

Three Views Around the Lake
by mariomel

Comment by MarionH:
beautiful scenery,
clean and crisp with beautiful colors :)
The right one is my personal fav of the series.

Three Views Around the Lake
by mariomel

Comment by Jacko:
Very nice shots. The white background makes the empty look dead. Might want to use a darker colour. Jacko. 8 Still three wonderfull shots. Jacko.

Three Views Around the Lake
by mariomel

Comment by seasaw:
There are many things I like about your composition. The staggered placement of the frames, the fog, and the wonderful colors of the ground. Funny though, it is spring here and this looks like an autumn or winter picture.

Three Views Around the Lake
by mariomel

Comment by tomzinho:
very nicely shot. i think you left too much space above and below the photos, but the photos themselves are fantastic.

Three Views Around the Lake
by mariomel

Comment by jjbeguin:
Very nice sceen, i woulld have suggested to overlaped (not neessarly leveled) the shots with a bit with tranparency and gotten wrid of the two external frames. You could then have shown more of your pictures sizewise. 7

Three Views Around the Lake
by mariomel

Comment by aurora:
ver y avalon looking, lots of mood and atmosphere, 9

Three Views Around the Lake
by mariomel

Comment by lizardbeth:
Gorgeous pictures. I don't love the way you framed them though, they look like they are just floating in the white space. I'd rather have seen a more traditional composition.

All Birds and No Bees
by mariomel

Comment by stationwagon:
Nice life-meets-geometry touch