Cropped snake and frog pics

[zail]

I've been playing around with macro images and find the narrow depth of field can give some interesting pics... I quite like the 2 pics below and would welcome comments/criticism from others as sometimes you can just get too close to the pics to be objective...

Both images were taken with Nikon D70 and Sigma 105 macro with no post processing except for crops.

[ron1863]

Nice shots, I like the frog as the eye is so clear

[RobSutton]

I like the shallow depth of field though I must admit I like to give mine a bit more space around the subject and try and put the eye on one of the "rule of thirds" intersections.

[dunlin]

Originally Posted by zail

I've been playing around with macro images and find the narrow depth of field can give some interesting pics... I quite like the 2 pics below and would welcome comments/criticism from others as sometimes you can just get too close to the pics to be objective...

Both images were taken with Nikon D70 and Sigma 105 macro with no post processing except for crops.

Hi zail
I agree with you, you can create some really interesting shots with macro and close cropping. Generally speaking rob suttons advice on the rule of thirds is good advice but its not something you should stick to religiously.

The frog picture works for me even though the point of focus (the eye) isnt following the rule of thirds.

Im not to sure about the snake picture though. An eye might have helped and its a bit dark. I found i was searching around the image for a point of interest to focus on

best regards mark......

[zail]

Thanks for the comments...

dunlin: the snake was meant to look a bit creepy and abstract with the focal point as her nose and heat pits.. hence the darkness of the image.. but I do see your point and will see if I can get an eye in there next time....

[dunlin]

Originally Posted by zail

Thanks for the comments...

dunlin: the snake was meant to look a bit creepy and abstract with the focal point as her nose and heat pits.. hence the darkness of the image.. but I do see your point and will see if I can get an eye in there next time....

Hi zail
I have just reread my comment and hope you didnt take offence, i concider myself an amatuer and see what you mean by creepy and abstract. If the picture looks right to you and its what you where trying to achieve thats all that matters.

kind regards mark..

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by dunlin

Hi zail
I have just reread my comment and hope you didnt take offence. If the picture looks right to you and its what you where trying to achieve thats all that matters.

kind regards mark..

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this comment. If someone takes a picture and itis what they wanted, then there isn't much point in asking for critiques.

When people wish to improve their photography, and ask for critiques, then the critique should be as honest as possible. This should highlight the good parts of the image and offer help on how to improve the faults. Even when you know how hard it is to take the image, I think the image should stand or fall on its photographic merits.

just my opinion...

Bruce

[big bill]

Originally Posted by BruceP

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this comment. If someone takes a picture and itis what they wanted, then there isn't much point in asking for critiques.

When people wish to improve their photography, and ask for critiques, then the critique should be as honest as possible. This should highlight the good parts of the image and offer help on how to improve the faults. Even when you know how hard it is to take the image, I think the image should stand or fall on its photographic merits.

just my opinion...

Bruce

I agree whole 100% with you on this if you submit a photograph for critic then you have to take the good with the bad as long as the criticism is benifical and constructive.
If you cannot take criticism then dont submit pics for critic and you have to learn to stand by critics that you make not what the person wants to hear its the only way to be suibjective and honest .
We all learn by mistakes some more than others

[zail]

Hello all,

thanks for all the comments - I did want honest criticism as I feel you can get too close to the image (as I said)...

dunlin -wasn't at all offended by your comments and totally saw what you meant - the eye may have made a focal point and led to a creepy image in some ways - It's an idea I shall try out next time as your comment has given me a different perspective on the image!

And although the pic may look like that to me (creepy and asbract - cos that's what I knew I was trying to achieve!) there's no point in it looking like that to me if to others it looks like an image lacking a focal point IYSWIM so I guess what I am saying in a long winded way is I appreciate criticism as other viewpoints are always good to see and can give you ideas and help you develop! Hope this makes sense!

Also I'm very much an amateur, here to learn and ask advice

Cheers

zail