Wild Sunflowers

I like the light and shadow Charlie, and the composition, but I think I would prefer a tad more depth of focus so the large lower leaf was sharp. To me, it's in focus enough to draw attention, but OOF enough to become a distraction. This just might be me.
Bob

Robert those leaves do stick out like a sore thumb don't they. I must get back into more careful examination of my images. Glad you brought my attention to it.

Charlie

I can't do anything about the focus but thought dimming down the leaves might help. I think it did. What do others think of this updated version?

Charlie - I prefer the reworked version but if I had a choice I would have cleaned the leaves. I think the debris hurts the aesthetics a bit more than the focus (which seems just enough for me).

But the flowers by themselves with the dappled lighting look really nice. I like how the filtered light from the petals light the center of the flower in the left.

Hi Charlie I think the softened leaves work better on the repost. I like the different play's of light on the sunflowers. and the interesting shapes of the petals....The composition is artistically done to enhance the beauty of the image
Albert Darmo

Beautiful shot. I like the play of light on the flower petals. I might darken the leaves, they pull my attention away from the flowers.

[Edit: Oops. Scrolling down, I see you already did that. I prefer the second version.]

Charlie:
The blooms are beautifully taken in the dappled light and the contrast of bright and shadow. Quite apart from the leaves, I also find the vase mouth distracting.

Gary I think it is just a difference in formality of the way I think about photography. If I were attempting the beautiful flower arrangements that you have done, I'd agree. In this case I loved the fresh yellow blooms, shoved them in an old bottle and made a photo with no thought to overall artistic perfection only composition and common details. I know and accept that you are actually right it just doesn't matter for this shot.

Dramatic with the lighting. And, beautiful.

A very respectable floral comp Charlie. Background makes the subject pop! Detail seems to be where it counts. Lighting is to my liking. I like the original, nature isn't always perfection and you showed the flower off nicely.