Day 22 - Up Up and Away
by JLC

Comment by glad2badad:
I like the balloon. That's fun. The trees are somewhat distracting. Not that you could do anything about that...

Why are the clouds so grey? Something to do with filtering perhaps? Just an observation.

Sounds like everyone had a fun time. :)

Day 25 - Center of a Rose
by JLC

Comment by Bud:
a bit of an abstract feel with this "ultra macro".

Elephants at the Zoo
by JLC

Comment by Bud:
a good shot of the elephant. Nice framing and sharpness.

Day 23 - White Rose
by JLC

Comment by Bud:
nice image, I wonder if it would help to bump up the contrast a bit.

Day 21 - Gourds
by JLC

Comment by dtremain:
Yikes! Nice idea, but... I'm not a fan of shallow DOF pictures, and this is an example of why. Only the stem on the pumpkin is in focus. Everything else is OOF. Lighting. You can't even see the gourd directly behind the pumpkin. Composition. You look like you're trying to do a fill the frame with how you've cropped the pumpkin, but then you have background below and above the left gourd, and in the upper right of the shot. I suggest repositioning the left gourd so it comes down to at least the bottom of the current shot - then crop so that the gourd goes to the edge of the shot bottom, left and top (fill the frame). Push the right gourd out a bit so it also goes to the edge of the frame (no background in the center). Remember the rule of thirds and try to hit the intersections if you can. Also, put the darker gourd on the left (where it is lit), and the lighter gourd on the right (to compensate for lack of lighting. If it still isn't enough, try using a reflector of some kind to add some light to it. You might try putting the light source more above than so much to the side.

The gourds and pumpkin you selected are attractive, and a good choice for this type of shot.

After all is said and done, it is your shot - do what you looks good to you - what do I know?

Message edited by author 2007-09-25 22:34:09.

Day 22 - Up Up and Away
by JLC

Comment by dtremain:
This is very nicely done. The balloon adds interest to an otherwise "I've seen that before" type of shot. The lighting is just right to capture the ribbon on the balloon without it standing out too much.

Day 23 - White Rose
by JLC

Comment by dtremain:
I very much like the idea. However this is a strong example of one of my pet peeves - and it is present in both your color and b & w version - that I call "banding" - the strongly defined edges where it should be a smooth gradient from one shade to another (almost looks like a contour map). It is so prevalent in your shot that it almost adds to the picture. "Banding" can occur easily on resizing, which is my guess on your picture. Sometimes it is a result of over PP. Like I said, it is a pet peeve, and not everyone finds it undesirable.

This is a nice soft focus shot, with nice lighting and composition.

Day 23 - White Rose
by JLC

Comment by ErikV:
Very pretty. Like the combination of the softness and the strong pattern.

Day 20 - Zebra Stripes
by JLC

Comment by violinist123:
Tad noisy due to the high iso, and the face of this beast could be brighter but it's a nice capture.

Day 19 - Sisters
by JLC

Comment by violinist123:
Nice detail inside the flowers, could be a tad brighter.