Hi Maxine,
What a delightful assignment. Let’s get right into it!
Here is the EXIF data for your images.
http://photographyicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_4495.jpg
Date Time Original: 2014:10:09 10:32:39
Exposure Time: 1/2
F Number: f / 32
Exposure Program: Shutter priority
ISO Speed Ratings: 400
Metering Mode: Spot
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length: 97mm
White Balance: Manual white balance
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 6D
LensInfo: 4
LensModel: EF70-200mm f/4L IS USMUUD
LensSerialNumber: 0000848679
Exif Version:
Flashpix Version:
Color Space: 1
Pixel X Dimension: 5472
Pixel Y Dimension: 3648
Maker Note: 910
User Comment: 8694
Date Time Digitized: 2014:10:09 10:32:39
Subsec Time: 00
Subsec Time Original: 00
Subsec Time Digitized: 00
Shutter Speed Value: 1.38
Aperture Value: 10
Focal Plane X Resolution: 3810.58
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 3815.90
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: 2
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Scene Capture Type: Standard
InteroperabilityIFDPointer: 8958
ExifIFDPointer: 360
GPSInfoIFDPointer: 9186
Orientation: 1
YCbCr Positioning: 2
X Resolution: 72
Y Resolution: 72
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2014:10:09 10:32:39
http://photographyicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_4511.jpg
Date Time Original: 2014:10:09 18:12:46
Exposure Time: 1/50
F Number: f / 14
Exposure Program: Shutter priority
ISO Speed Ratings: 800
Metering Mode: Spot
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length: 100mm
White Balance: Manual white balance
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 6D
LensInfo: 4
LensModel: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMUUD
LensSerialNumber: 000004dbe4
Exif Version:
Flashpix Version:
Color Space: 1
Pixel X Dimension: 5472
Pixel Y Dimension: 3648
Maker Note: 910
User Comment: 8694
Date Time Digitized: 2014:10:09 18:12:46
Subsec Time: 00
Subsec Time Original: 00
Subsec Time Digitized: 00
Shutter Speed Value: 5.63
Aperture Value: 7.63
Focal Plane X Resolution: 3810.58
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 3815.90
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: 2
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Scene Capture Type: Standard
InteroperabilityIFDPointer: 8958
ExifIFDPointer: 360
GPSInfoIFDPointer: 9186
Orientation: 1
YCbCr Positioning: 2
X Resolution: 72
Y Resolution: 72
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2014:10:09 18:12:46
Both of your images certainly meet the criteria of the assignment so job well done here! You’ve used a slow shutter to show the motion of the water and you’ve captured a flower with very shallow depth of field and some bokeh.
I was a little concerned with the use of higher ISOs on your shallow depth of field but it looks like you’ve pulled it off. Your image is clean and it looks nice.
My only minor note would be that the water image feels a bit flat. It’s lacking in contrast and the composition is a bit awkward. To be fair those are not the main focus of the assignment but you should always keep the basics in mind.
In this case it’s a classic issue, you should be closer to the thing you’re trying to showcase. The water…
I have attached a potential alternative composition.
In your other image of the flower I would caution you that you can get away with a much better image in this situation with a lower iso and on a tripod. That is of course assuming this thing isn’t moving in the wind or something.
In this situation controlling your depth of field is key, you want shallow depth of field but not so shallow that you only get a small part of the interesting part in focus. That’s what happened on your first attempt your shallow depth of field was too shallow.
You can change settings and increase your depth of field and do some experimenting to see what works with your particular camera and lens. On many cameras there is a depth of field preview button. I would suggest you look at that in your camera’s manual. What it does is essentially give you crude preview of the depth of field of the image when the button is held down. In this way you can change your fstop and toggle the button and get a feel for your increasing or decreasing depth of field. All of that said this is more finesse than anything and you’ll improve over time. It’s tricky but you’ll get there.
Overall you’ve done a really nice job here.
Work on your depth of field control and remember all else equal lower iso is better if you have enough light.
Nice work!
🙂 🙂 🙂