Morning Dew

[ddaquaria]

I took this this morning working on my flash technique at a local garden. Please critic, I would like to know how I can make this even better.

I think the spiders add a touch of "nature" to the picture.

http://homepage.mac.com/donalddavis/BG/pictures/picture-4.jpg

Thanks,

Donald

[chubasco]

Donald, paste up a bigger file, at least 800 pixels across, thanks. It is almost
impossible to make a judgement on a postage stamp-sized photo. Excuse me,
playing card-sized photo. LOL

[ddaquaria]

Sorry about that, for some reason I thought there was a 500x500 restriction.

http://homepage.mac.com/ddaquaria/BG2/pictures/picture-1.jpg

[ddaquaria]

Here it is...

[chubasco]

This is a tough call....there's some flash glare on the left petal/leaf, not
much, but the water drops are picking up little glints of light from the flash,
giving an unnatural look to the piece. I would suggest diffusing the flash, are
you using onboard or external flash(es) shooting this pic? Is this going to be
used for a stock catalog of some sort? Also, what kind of background are you
using, and can you try a dark red or green? I would try different views of the
plant, too, got to say, this is certainly not a plant I would buy!:lol: But each
to his/her own...

It's always helpful to give EXIF info as to f-stop, shutter speed, what camera,
flash was used, so we don't have to dig it up ourselves, thanks.

[ddaquaria]

I'm using a D200 with a single SB800. This was taken outside at the Austin Botanical Gardens so the background was basically trees and other plants, and this was the clearest view offered since you don't (and I won't) step into the flower beds.

Exposure Time: 1/180 sec
F-Number: f/16.0
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed Rating: 400
Lense: 70-300 VR

[chubasco]

Donald, I guess you know you're working in less than ideal conditions. You
have topnotch equipment and I imagine you've tried i-TTL flash going auto
mode? I don't know if the D200 can use Commander mode in manual exposure
mode, but that would help or it would be worth a try. Using only one flash like
this really limits the possiblities, but in i-TTL mode hopefully the image will not
appear as flat like it does here. If in fact you are using i-TTL mode, then this is
as good as it gets until you can add another flash like the SB600.