This is my last pose for you buddy.. so hop off ok?by
docjonnyComment by FrankRobinson: Hi Doc, welcome to the Critique Zone!
My initial take on this shot is that it is pleasant (sharp, clear etc) but lacks the 'wow factor' that tends to grab the voters' attention. Still, I am surprised that you had no comments.
Technically: Your point of focus is spot on - he has a lovely sharp head and eyes. The Depth of Field is interesting - given the nature of the subject, I suspect that you were hand holding this one - hence the smallish aperture. If the opportunity was there I would have take an insurance shot at these settings, then tried pushing the aperture to get a better DOF - perhaps to try and get the whole of the front four legs in focus? The lighting is good directionally, but a little overpowering on a white wall.
Artistically: This is very subjective, but maybe of interest. The centred crop can be a real passion killer when it comes to giving a shot 'wow factor' - especially on a plain white background. For a non-macro challenge, I would have suggested off-setting him to the right and showing perhaps an expanse of empty wall to his left to give a sense of space. Since this
is a macro challenge, I think this needs to be tighter. A lot tighter. Perhaps just the bottom right hand corner, as far left as the end of the left foreleg and as far back as just above the thorax joint.
PP: You don't mention sharpening, but this does look a trifle over-sharpened. It could probably also take a little more contrast. I mentioned the power of the light, a tweak on the shadow/highlight tool would take the edge off that, and let more detail show.
In summary, this is a nice shot of a grasshopper, but just doesn't stand out from the crowd enough to get the voters' attention. With a little more playing around though, I think it could. Happy hunting!
Photographer found comment helpful.
