Orange Edges

[Michael Erlewine]

Nikon D810, CRT-Nikkor, Zerene Stacker

[Frank Fremerey]

technically wonderful with a mysterious feel to it in the BG.

Two things do not please me: The flower on the lower left openning to the left should be more in the picture, the prominent main dish seems to "look away from me". I feel the urge to rotate the camera by 15 or 20 degrees to the left, to have both flowers back-to-back. Second is that the tips of the orange flowe are shadowed. I would sure lighten them a bit. My eye seems to be drawn to this place again and again.

[Michael Erlewine]

Take this in the right way, please.

I am not interested (never have been) in having my compositions deconstructed. There used to be a way of signifying this, that one is not looking for criticism. I am not looking for criticism. You like it or if not; that is fine with me. I would not put it up if I did not feel it expresses something I want to express. I look at the photos here by our group and appreciate the many DIFFERENT styles and approaches, but I don't try to talk about their compositions. In your case, I pointed out some artifacts, to perhaps help you learn focus-stacking easier, but that may not have been helpful either. So, please don't be offended, but do note it. If I like someone's photo especially, and have time, I will tell them.

I do like to talk about techniques.

[Anirban Halder]

While I completely don't understand what's yanking your chain, feedback are feedback. Nothing more, nothing else. We either take it or ignore it. You posted a photo in a public forum where there are many other users and they try to learn something out if this forum too. In this particular case I find the above feedback particularly useful as they will help me to take photos in future that are more palatable for most people. Just my 2 cents, nothing personal.

I like your photo. It's very soothing. Reminds me its been a while I bought flowers for my wife.

[Michael Erlewine]

While I completely don't understand what's yanking your chain, feedback are feedback. Nothing more, nothing else. We either take it or ignore it. You posted a photo in a public forum where there are many other users and they try to learn something out if this forum too. In this particular case I find the above feedback particularly useful as they will help me to take photos in future that are more palatable for most people. Just my 2 cents, nothing personal.

No problem. I do ignore it. In an earlier incarnation of NG, if I remember right, we had the ability to check a box to the effect that we were not looking for blow-by-blow criticism. This is my way of checking that box. Of course, Frank can ignore it, but he and I comment on each other's posts, and in this free and open forum, I imagine I can make such a request, no?

I am not afraid of criticism; It is just that I would not question another photographer's composition, etc. unless asked, but rather just take it in and enjoy (if I can) how different we all are. Or, as you mentioned, I just ignore it. As for "yankin' my chain, I don't consider that my chain has been yanked.

[Frank Fremerey]

Michael, it is OK for me. I wil save the effort of writing thoughful comments on composition in your case.

If you only like to share technical information (like in your 24 videos, which I have seen a lot of but not all) it is perfectly allright for me.

I have seen so many of your shots that touch me, tell a story, are little meditations or prayers appealing to me ... some are not and I thought on a subconscious level they express something that does not ring a bell with me, or to spin it the sender way around, the message is not for me ...   Biodiversity of character

[Michael Erlewine]

Frank. I thought you would understand. You are obviously very passionate about your photography and I appreciate that a lot. If we look around the forum, which of course I have, there is an incredible diversity of styles. As I see photography as impressions, I respect the right of everyone to their own vision and am not about to second-guess why they did this or that, composition-ally. If I did, I would just be trying to have them have the same taste that I have. Sure, let's discuss, technically, artifacts, techniques, and whatever.

IMO, trying to tell me (or me you) what you shoulda' done is not helpful... to me. If we want that kind of feedback on our photos, it is best to ask for it. Looking back, I should have sent this to you in a private message, but I already feel we have so much in common in what we are working toward, that I would just mention it. Glad you took it in the right way.

I believe in the old saying "A picture is worth a thousand words." We can can see what we each do from our photos and it strikes us this or that way. For me, that's it.

[Michael Erlewine]

And just for fun, here is a more conservative image from the same group. In the previous image, I am pushing my own envelope a bit, trying to get beyond a field-guide photo or just a, as one NG member said years ago, "a picture of a flower." Not always successful. I am happy if others like it, but mostly I am happy if I am happy with a photo. As I have written here many times, I consider almost all my photos a step on the journey, not the end of any journey.

Nikon D810, CRT Nikkor, Zerene Stacker

[Frank Fremerey]

More conservative you might call it, but this one goes straight to my heart, a breathe! Thank you.


PS: Since 2005 I am pursuing macro panoramas in a way that has never been seen before. The technical hurdles are such and the task is so time consuming that I am still in the conceptual phase. After all I raise two kids, my wife and I working, must I say more?

[Anirban Halder]

And just for fun, here is a more conservative image from the same group. In the previous image, I am pushing my own envelope a bit, trying to get beyond a field-guide photo or just a, as one NG member said years ago, "a picture of a flower." Not always successful. I am happy if others like it, but mostly I am happy if I am happy with a photo. As I have written here many times, I consider almost all my photos a step on the journey, not the end of any journey.

Michael - your shots are truly touchstone of close-up photography, altogether at a different level. Respect!