I'll have to start out with my favourite thing about this piece-- that it's slightly difficult to see what it is or what's going on. I mean, of course I gather it's dandelion seeds (I think) but the fact that it's so... surreal, like you don't actually notice what it is at first. Sort of an illusion, I suppose is the word I'm after.

I don't agree with the square format, either. It wouldn't really make a whole lot of sense. Perhaps it could use a small crop at the bottom as it seems to be a bit off-balance, but really, I think it's fine the way it is.

One thing that bothers me slightly, yet intrigues me is the lack of depth. While I can see it after I stare at it a bit and get my eyes adjusted, it's not immediately apparent. However, I think this must add to that surrealism we discussed earlier. I'm loving this piece more and more every second, it's really making me think!

Whether you want to fix it or not is up to you, but I must say I don't know how to fix it, as I know little to nothing about cameras.

Also, those three strands towards the bottom seem a bit blurry, and it makes it harder to focus, possibly a factor in the problem I'm having with percieving the depth. However, it's not killing the piece, and you can get away with it.

Again, I don't know how to fix that D:

Beautiful work, overall!

It is a little reminiscent of Rose and Driftwood, [link] , not only for the interesting wood contrast but the pale lighting as well. [If I can say that without giving you too much credit]

But that was not the first thing I thought of because the style is very different and so is the highly tangible mood... A more modern abrasive style takes it away from the warm sentimentality of the Adams piece and and helps build a different atmosphere. The style here is the touch of cold hands, silent reflective moments, and speaks to disillusion and the loss of spirit. The emotional nucleus of the work comes across very well.


That said there certainly is an ample margin for technical improvement, and imo the shortfall is likely as much to do with imperfect equipment as with imperfect technique. It is more a matter of how practice makes less imperfect, so as far as constructive critique the best thing I can do, [rather than say how this or that is 'wrong' in the photo], is to encourage you to just keep shooting as much as you are able. As I ways do. And assure you that you have a lot of potential to grow into.

I think more trigger time would result in a lot of growth in technique and in getting the most out of your gear, I know your time is scarce but the investment will be rewarded... You know that imo technical aspects of the work are of lesser importance than the heart of it. But more technical authority in your photography will serve to make the emotional component of your work even more potency. Then there will be no stopping you.


I would like to see you try to apply the style to a subject not so closely relatable to the theme as the dandelion is - to try to marry an unrelated subject to a given concept is an interesting challenge because the territory is often very original, I think you would enjoy it.


I agree for the most part with the other critiques I think they are fair. I do not agree about the square format though, I think the more elongated the composition is the more it will stress the separation of the flower's elements.