Blue Iris in Vase

Bob, Again not knowing fundamentals of Flower Arrangement, I think this one looks much better to my eyes compared to the previous one. Its simpler, a lot more breathing space and easier on the eye. Part of me thinks a little more of the reflection of that bunch on the table could be shown, part of me thinks, Bob might have had a reason not to show that (because it may bring in more reflection from the Vase). So that compromise seems OK to me in the end.

Very interesting arrangement Bob. I agree with Ram about the reflection. Other than that, this is outstanding.

OK,

First, I prefer this slightly to the last and it's certainly better than anything I've done. That said here are what I consider to be weak points. I'm trying to analyze this the same way I would a landscape.

I would prefer that the kenzan wasn't visible in the image. So I guess the dish needs to be deeper or the arrangement needs to cover it from view.

Triangles, per my reading create interest and energy in an image. I think yours work well here to do that. My reservation is in their scaling. I see triangles in the arrangement's elements but the overall shape of the subject doesn't appear triangular to me but more as rectangle with the top of the branch coming out of it. So to my eye, the triangular motif doesn't scale.

I'd probably brighten the flower and darken the leaves. For my tastes their values are reversed as to what they should be.

I'd like less euonymus in the arrangement. I'd probably remove enough of it, so that it has the same shape as the branch and so that it parallels the branch. If you're using it as a base, I'd want it to be a thinner base and to cover the kenzan. I guess the overall shape I'm going for is something like a crescent moon outline setting on the container as a base. That shape would be the frame for the iris.

The iris needs to get more emphasis in the image.

That said, I like this as posted and I'm extremely impressed that you could do this so well so quickly. I hope you'll do a lot more of these. Like Gary, I just think you'll get better and better at it.

pat

Pat, thanks for the detailed critique. I appreciate your insightful comments. Yes that kenzan is a problem. You couldn't really see it with the human eye. But in the photo with a polarizer and then PP it stands out like a sore thumb.
I can see how you see a rectangle when I was thinking triangle in the design. What I was designing for was a triangle from the ends of the vase up to the peak of the branch for the main triaagle and then the euonymus and bloom of the iris created other triangles. That was the intent anyway. Thanks again for your comments and encouragement.

Bob: I will have an extra large helping of both of these. Looks like the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Marvelously conceived and captured.>=))>

Bob:
This is a more simplified arrangement without the star shaped leaves making it a stronger composition than other one. Triangles are also an integral part of Ikebana arrangements with the 3 main features usually forming a triangle. Basing my critique on my limited experience with floral arrangement (bear in mind I am still in introductory level and not even in the beginner level yet), I would assume that the 3 main elements in this arrangement is the curving stem, and two irises. They seem to form a straight line in the image but of course the image is only 2D and they may actually be triangular in 3D but from the viewer's perspective it is not. Also usually the dominant element should stand out more than the other two - in this arrangement, the dominant element is the curving stem and although it is taller than the irises, it does not have enough shape or color to hold its own. In my opinion, the iris should be main element here and therefore should have a stronger presence rather than hiding under curving stem. As an aside, the lupines with is bright red color and broader shape and 3 stems dominate in other other image.

Coming to the photography, I agreed with Pat's critique about the kenzan and the inverse gradient brightness.

I hope you continue to do more arrangements especially along the line of the Finnish and Dutch masters such as van Huysum and others and it would be a good contrast to the Japanese style.

Stunning presentation Bob. Love the arrangement.
May

Very beautiful arrangement, Bob !! I love the variety of shapes and colours, all combined in a balanced way, with the whole image lit and presented to perfection.