Kathy Buckard
November 2026 - FLOWERS AND GRIST MILL WATER WHEEL
About the Image(s)
Several years ago, we went on a trip to Georgia to photograph many grist mills. We came across this one and I fell in love with the combination of the flowers in front of the water wheel, the bridge, and the stream of water. Just made small adjustments removed hazed, straighten, and used a slow shutter speed to show movement in the water. I have a 16x20 canvas print hanging in my home gallery, have used it as a computer screen and a phone screen.
Nikon D-300 70-300 lens F9 1/50 ISO 400
2 comments posted
Kathy - This is simply an outstanding photo, and I can see why you have a 16x20 canvas hanging in your home! The combination of hydrangeas, weathered wood, and cascading water creates a wonderful sense of tranquility - kudos!
Also, your choice of shutter speed was spot on, giving the water a softness that ties in beautifully with the flowers.
What particularly appeals to me is the contrast between delicate flowers and the substantial feel of the weathered water wheel. The different textures work extremely well together.
You will note I've included an alternative crop for your consideration, along with a slightly different approach to the title. To my eye, the water wheel is the star of this image, with the flowers providing a supporting role. By tightening the composition and eliminating the branches crossing the wheel, I felt it would give the wheel greater prominence while retaining the overall atmosphere of the image.
I would also consider "The Water Wheel" as a title. Your original title tells us what's in the photograph, whereas this one directs our attention to what I believe is its most interesting feature.
There's an important distinction between our two interpretations. Yours invites the viewer to enjoy the entire scene, while my crop encourages the viewer to appreciate a particular subject within that scene. Neither approach is necessarily right or wrong, but I believe the tighter crop establishes a clearer visual hierarchy, something that's particularly important in competition photography.
Lastly, I have to mention the little bridge near the bottom of the composition. I'm glad you included it; it's a wonderful finishing touch that adds a ton of visual interest to the image.
To be clear, your original brings you pleasure, and to me, that's the best measures of photographic success. My crop is simply another interpretation of a scene you had the vision to recognize and photograph. Nicely done!
Posted: 11/01/2026 15:26:48
Also, your choice of shutter speed was spot on, giving the water a softness that ties in beautifully with the flowers.
What particularly appeals to me is the contrast between delicate flowers and the substantial feel of the weathered water wheel. The different textures work extremely well together.
You will note I've included an alternative crop for your consideration, along with a slightly different approach to the title. To my eye, the water wheel is the star of this image, with the flowers providing a supporting role. By tightening the composition and eliminating the branches crossing the wheel, I felt it would give the wheel greater prominence while retaining the overall atmosphere of the image.
I would also consider "The Water Wheel" as a title. Your original title tells us what's in the photograph, whereas this one directs our attention to what I believe is its most interesting feature.
There's an important distinction between our two interpretations. Yours invites the viewer to enjoy the entire scene, while my crop encourages the viewer to appreciate a particular subject within that scene. Neither approach is necessarily right or wrong, but I believe the tighter crop establishes a clearer visual hierarchy, something that's particularly important in competition photography.
Lastly, I have to mention the little bridge near the bottom of the composition. I'm glad you included it; it's a wonderful finishing touch that adds a ton of visual interest to the image.
To be clear, your original brings you pleasure, and to me, that's the best measures of photographic success. My crop is simply another interpretation of a scene you had the vision to recognize and photograph. Nicely done!
Posted: 11/01/2026 15:26:48
Butch, thank you for your fabulous critique. I don't think I have ever received such praise. Your crop is wonderful too. Great job on removing the branches! Funny story, my original name for my image was "The Water Wheel" , then my husband suggested I bring attention to the beautiful flowers, so I changed my name to incorporate the flowers. Posted: 11/02/2026 00:33:49