You've done a wonderful job with this series, Billy. These cacti are magnificent specimens, and the background is nothing to sneeze at either. I can't really find any fault with your shot, but people will think I've reformed myself if I don't moan and bitch about something. Let me download this as maximum size, play a game on Facebook, study the download at 300% zoom; and we'll see what I think in 10 minutes.
Okay, I'm back. You're making it pretty tough these days, Billy, to find anything significant to critique. I like the colors, DoF, the overall depth of the shot, the detail and clarity and the colors...especially in the background mountains. The sky is perfectly lovely and desert-like. If I'm really in the mood to nit pick, I'd say that I'd prefer to have the main cactus offset slightly. Centering the subject is the last best alternative on this image. If I use my super powers to really nit pick, I'd say that there's a fence line or pole line beginning at about the middle of the tree immediately to the left of the cactus and running to the left. It's barely noticeable but could easily be removed. You receive a 0.15 deduction for the fence line and a 0.45 deduction for centering the primary subject. Pretty darn close to a solid 8.75.
I absolutely concur with Roger in that the main cacti would best suit this fabulous scene if it was offset from center more to the right side- 1st choice or maybe the left-2nd choice, but otherwise a very clean and beautiful image:):)
If they don't like the cactus in the center, they can walk around it BTK. Just kidding. Knowing how you love the cacti, I understand why it is "front and center." I think a smaller aperture might have brought the mountains into focus just a tweet better. If you wanted the cactus and foreground to get the major attention, then you succeeded perfectly. A great post.
The sharp focus on the near cacti & the soft mt.s in the distance really accent the depth of field in this one, Billy. I can't really put my finger on it but this photo just draws me right into it. ...Ed
I hope you don't mind, but I did a slight crop on this image to offset the main cactus. Click Here to see it. Everything else looks great, Billy. Looks like untouched territory.
The reason why the sun sets in the evening is because it wants to see the sunrise in the morning. I rise in the morning because I want to see them both. RvdB
Okay, I'm back. You're making it pretty tough these days, Billy, to find anything significant to critique. I like the colors, DoF, the overall depth of the shot, the detail and clarity and the colors...especially in the background mountains. The sky is perfectly lovely and desert-like. If I'm really in the mood to nit pick, I'd say that I'd prefer to have the main cactus offset slightly. Centering the subject is the last best alternative on this image. If I use my super powers to really nit pick, I'd say that there's a fence line or pole line beginning at about the middle of the tree immediately to the left of the cactus and running to the left. It's barely noticeable but could easily be removed. You receive a 0.15 deduction for the fence line and a 0.45 deduction for centering the primary subject. Pretty darn close to a solid 8.75.
Roger