Originally posted by rmtagg Paul, I can see where the bee in focus would have been a nice shot
So maybe not everything can go impressionistic? Hm, will have to figure out if shots like this will work if I shoot them a bit differently. My question is, is it annoying because you are expecting crisp and focused or is it just really bad??? Hm, will have to get through more of my shots from today to see if I have one where the bee is either closer to the bottom flower or is more in focus, either would help I think
Rosemary: First - correct me if need be - I remember that your goal is to
- print images directly as they come out of the camera, other then resizing and maybe some slight cropping
- present a signature impressionistic look and feel to your images balancing color, light and focus zones within the frame
- present striking images.
Pretty cool stuff, actually. I'm THINKING about how I would technically achieve those goals in this shot (if I could do it and if it were my style). My observation, after reading the responses and your comments about them, contrary to my earlier comment about the bee focus, is that the solution might have been to narrow the depth of field to capture the bee, and then de-focus the image. Currently your focus zone appears to be on the first layer of coneflowers.
To my inexperienced eye that makes the image appear incorrectly focused, since the traditional technique is to center the eye on the action. Of course that could be your entire point - to "break the rule" -
In any case the play of lighted and shaded flowers is interesting, the positioning of color throughout the frame holds the eye in the panel (again, drawing it to the bee) and the colors blend well.
Bee in focus and everything else blurred
would have been a cool shot, although not your style.