Before you take any criticism to heart, take a look at the photographs made by the person critiquing yours. You might be surprised at their utter lack of talent. Makes them feel better belittling others. Most of all though, art is such a subjective thing, ones mans garbage is another’s masterpiece. I’ll bet you had fun setting up the photo, and that is what really matters.
I was given a lot of good advice and help when I was starting out, and even though I often don’t think I’m as good as other people seem to think, I feel it is a privilege to be able to “pay it forward” and offer help where and when I can.
And lets be honest, it’s one hell of an ego boost that someone would actually ask for my help 😀
Ok, didn’t see a photo challenge image for this week (Sun). So, I’m backing up, looking at your image here, and leaving a comment.
This is a cute image! Here’s what I like: The background really works because it is not distracting and is not bright. Backgrounds should be out of focus and it can be helpful if you have a similar color as something in you main subject. The neutral color here works. The front lighting is very good. The two images have interesting detail. Cropping is good, especially the front and sides. My only suggestion would be to allow a little more space at the top between the green catus and the top frame. Or, before you click the shutter button, be sure to look around the viewfinder and pay attention if any subject matter is merging into the frame or nearly touching it. It so, simply widen the shoot slightly. There are circumstances when it is ok to have parts of your image merging into the frame, but that’s another blog article (-:
Hello Rick 🙂 You have no idea how much I appreciate your insight. Now the pic…. I cropped it just above the green cactus in order to avoid some ugly, enerving creases on the background cloth :D. My original photo had a bit more space at the top :). I will take your advice and try to find a background with a similar colour as something in the shot object. I thought it needed a contrast :D. Thank you for your lesson 🙂
Yes, contrasting backgrounds work really well. Here are two examples:
When I shoot, I carry with me a variety of portable backgrounds (-: For example, Picture frame matting in different colors (Black, white, shades of green) and fabric colors & different patterns, but nothing bright or reflective. Another background tool that works well is this. Take your camera, zoom in & fill the frame with green grass or a collection of green plant leafs. Be sure to use an F/stop of f/3.5 or f/4 and (Most important…) blur the shot. Snap the picture and print your natural looking background. The latter works really well for shooting flower close-up or macro images.
Oui, c’est une photo bien amusante, mais en ce temps la je ne savais pas beaucoup du profondeur du champ 😉 J’ai fait ca avec un appareil que je n’ai pas utilise beacoup – canon powershot g1 x- trop complique….
Lost in Translation 
Lovely shot Paula!
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Thank you Madhu 🙂 Making a fake cactus was a hard part 😉
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🙂
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Cool! I love the pink pops in this photo. Did you make the white cactus out of a sock?
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Yes, I did 🙂 Good guess Kris 🙂
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Love it!
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Thanks Kris 🙂
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Thank you 😀
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Beautiful photo Paula! Very nice.
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Thanks Arindam 🙂
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That is pretty darn creative, and a good photo too!
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Awwww. Thank you Jeff. I’ve been told it is not good, but I am not discouraged.
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Before you take any criticism to heart, take a look at the photographs made by the person critiquing yours. You might be surprised at their utter lack of talent. Makes them feel better belittling others. Most of all though, art is such a subjective thing, ones mans garbage is another’s masterpiece. I’ll bet you had fun setting up the photo, and that is what really matters.
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Thank you so much Jeff. Hubby has been in a very bad mood 😉 and I still have so much to learn. I appreciate your kind and honest words.
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Any time.
And if you ever have any photography related questions, feel free to ask. My door is always open.
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Thank you…. It is good to know. Bless you.
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I was given a lot of good advice and help when I was starting out, and even though I often don’t think I’m as good as other people seem to think, I feel it is a privilege to be able to “pay it forward” and offer help where and when I can.
And lets be honest, it’s one hell of an ego boost that someone would actually ask for my help 😀
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I love your choices for this weeks challenge.
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Thanks Jackie 🙂
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A very prickly subject! Nice shot.
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Oh yes 🙂 I have experienced it first hand 🙂 Thank you.
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Thank you very much 🙂
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Very clever! I had to do a double take to realize they weren’t both real!
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LOL Thanks Doris
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Beautiful post Paula 🙂
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Thanks Jake
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fantastic! they look like designer pin cushions! – rita
http://shapingthepoem.wordpress.com/
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😀 Thank you
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Esos cactus, no son mexicanos?… has venido por ellos y no visitaste!
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Si 😀 pero prometo que la proxima vez encontrare tiempo para la visita 😉
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really beautiful Paula…the plants and the photo
http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/weekly-photo-challenge-two-subjects/
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nice shot
http://amarnaik.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/weekly-photo-challenge-two-subjects/
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So clever – and nicely shot!
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Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Two SubjectsCassie meets World
Pretty cactus!
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Prickly but pretty!
http://lorely-writingfromtheedge.blogspot.com/2012/04/picture-it-in-your-own-words-two.html
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Thank you.
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Terrific job. Took me a few second to figure it out.
~Anne
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Thank you Anne 🙂
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Ok, didn’t see a photo challenge image for this week (Sun). So, I’m backing up, looking at your image here, and leaving a comment.
This is a cute image! Here’s what I like: The background really works because it is not distracting and is not bright. Backgrounds should be out of focus and it can be helpful if you have a similar color as something in you main subject. The neutral color here works. The front lighting is very good. The two images have interesting detail. Cropping is good, especially the front and sides. My only suggestion would be to allow a little more space at the top between the green catus and the top frame. Or, before you click the shutter button, be sure to look around the viewfinder and pay attention if any subject matter is merging into the frame or nearly touching it. It so, simply widen the shoot slightly. There are circumstances when it is ok to have parts of your image merging into the frame, but that’s another blog article (-:
LikeLike
Hello Rick 🙂 You have no idea how much I appreciate your insight. Now the pic…. I cropped it just above the green cactus in order to avoid some ugly, enerving creases on the background cloth :D. My original photo had a bit more space at the top :). I will take your advice and try to find a background with a similar colour as something in the shot object. I thought it needed a contrast :D. Thank you for your lesson 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, contrasting backgrounds work really well. Here are two examples:
When I shoot, I carry with me a variety of portable backgrounds (-: For example, Picture frame matting in different colors (Black, white, shades of green) and fabric colors & different patterns, but nothing bright or reflective. Another background tool that works well is this. Take your camera, zoom in & fill the frame with green grass or a collection of green plant leafs. Be sure to use an F/stop of f/3.5 or f/4 and (Most important…) blur the shot. Snap the picture and print your natural looking background. The latter works really well for shooting flower close-up or macro images.
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Opps! Here is the 2nd example: http://www.rickdiffleyphotography.com/2012/04/15/two-subject-image/
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Lovely kakti 🙂
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Interesting shot. Thanks for stopping by my blog too 🙂
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You are welcome and thank you for the visit 🙂
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Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: CREATE | Lost in Translation
Une photographie géniale 😀 Une très bonne idée et en plus, c’est joli. 🙂
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Oui, c’est une photo bien amusante, mais en ce temps la je ne savais pas beaucoup du profondeur du champ 😉 J’ai fait ca avec un appareil que je n’ai pas utilise beacoup – canon powershot g1 x- trop complique….
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Ca va encore, les cactus se détachent encore bien du fond… 🙂
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Merci 🙂
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Ha!
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😀
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