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Sunflowers and the Approaching Storm
Sunflowers and the Approaching Storm
JakeKurdsjuk


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2014-08 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR
Location: Asbury, NJ
Date: Aug 17, 2014
Aperture: 4.0
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/1250
Date Uploaded: Aug 31, 2014

10 foot sunflowers shot through a large wire fence with rain coming in. Used a multiply blend mode to make the clouds more visible, masking flowers. Detail extraction and then dodge and burn to bring out textures.


Statistics
Place: 58 out of 177
Avg (all users): 6.0089
Avg (commenters): 8.1667
Avg (participants): 6.0115
Avg (non-participants): 6.0000
Views since voting: 403
Views during voting: 188
Votes: 112
Comments: 13
Favorites: 0


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AuthorThread
09/08/2014 01:15:05 PM
*Greetings from the Critique Club*

This is a compositionally beautiful image. I love the simplicity the row of four sunflowers, although it bugged me a little that the tallest/end sunflower did not have any yellow. The textures are just gorgeous, and the moody sky against the gorgeous colors of the sunflower made for an emotional image to me.

Technically I think this image is very good. The sunflowers are very sharp, the lighting is pretty and soft, and the colors seem right on. I cannot see any real weaknesses to this image. If anything, just that one final flower without the pop disappointed a little and kept this image (for me) from being a top choice. (You were one of my 6's, which I give to images that I think are strong but don't stand out as extra special.) I do remember voting on this image and thinking "if only that last sunflower continued to the row of yellow.

I really like the sky, but I will admit it looks almost more like a blurred background than clouds in the sky. The color certainly screams 'storm' but maybe the pretty blur was not enjoyed by all and some would have preferred clearer clouds? (I hate to try and guess, but I am not sure I can see why a 3 or 4 either, but those were certainly not the norm.)

Julee

  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/08/2014 10:13:55 AM
I gave you a 7 (would have bumped higher but ran out of time). I thought the implied motion from the wind was excellent, funny that no one mentioned that. One of my favorites.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/08/2014 09:28:17 AM
Originally posted by backdoorhippie:

Originally posted by P-A-U-L:

I gave this a 5. I didn't find it too exciting and looked a bit like the flowers were a bit dead or dying. I do love the contrast of the colours against the sky but think it would have had more appeal/impact to me if there was a larger flower possibly with more of a front on view of the flowers. Hey please take this with a pinch of salt as I am certainly no photography expert and I am colour blind too so may be missing something here:)


I appreciate your honesty, and will take heart in that perhaps it's the color-blindness that has you missing the "excitement" intended by the contrast of the bright yellows and the gloomy sky. If the yellows don't pop for you then I expect that there wouldn't be much to see here. It certainly would not have worked in black and white.


Ah yes I always kind of thought I could see more or less the same as others with regards colours though I obviously can't as I can't see the numbers on those colour blind tests. Anyway I so believe either my monitor is rubbish or badly calibrated or it is indeed the colour blindness but I am not seeing too much pop of the yellow flowers - they do have contrast against the sky to me but definitely not pop. From what others are saying I feel I am missing out on something. Perhaps they should not let colour blind people vote:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/08/2014 08:49:37 AM
Sorry i didnt comment in voting but i found the contrast between the flower and the clouds very appealing just a pity that the stem on the right hadnt flowered but i gave you a 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/08/2014 08:12:13 AM
Originally posted by P-A-U-L:

I gave this a 5. I didn't find it too exciting and looked a bit like the flowers were a bit dead or dying. I do love the contrast of the colours against the sky but think it would have had more appeal/impact to me if there was a larger flower possibly with more of a front on view of the flowers. Hey please take this with a pinch of salt as I am certainly no photography expert and I am colour blind too so may be missing something here:)


I appreciate your honesty, and will take heart in that perhaps it's the color-blindness that has you missing the "excitement" intended by the contrast of the bright yellows and the gloomy sky. If the yellows don't pop for you then I expect that there wouldn't be much to see here. It certainly would not have worked in black and white.

Message edited by author 2014-09-08 08:13:06.
09/08/2014 07:10:50 AM
I gave this a 5. I didn't find it too exciting and looked a bit like the flowers were a bit dead or dying. I do love the contrast of the colours against the sky but think it would have had more appeal/impact to me if there was a larger flower possibly with more of a front on view of the flowers. Hey please take this with a pinch of salt as I am certainly no photography expert and I am colour blind too so may be missing something here:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/08/2014 06:10:25 AM
Thanks for the comments, all. I have to say, I truly thought this would have done better than an almost a dead-even 6. I only wish that the 3 and 4's would have let me in on their thoughts.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
09/07/2014 04:56:11 PM
The look like summer sentries, against the storm. Lovely light.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/07/2014 12:21:05 PM
Great contrast in flowers and background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/05/2014 06:40:30 PM
These flowers against the dark cloudy background is great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/03/2014 08:03:34 PM
8 from me.

THIS is my kinda image! I love the simplicity and... the leading line of the blooms.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/02/2014 07:30:42 AM
dramatic feeling to this one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/01/2014 09:16:12 PM
Lovely
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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