A great series, and this is the best so far.

Thanks Edwin I really appreciate the encouragement.

a good still motif...would have preferred a lighter BG ...cheers ;-))

I am very sorry that this image remains largely ignored at MyFoutThirds. I truly believe this is a photographic gem, worthy of praise and comments.

Composition with the three leaves cascading on repeating each others shape from the top, moving down the tight side is very attractive. The single larger leaf to the left side balances the composition and breaks the guideline or rule of having odd number of objects in a composition. It seems to work well here visually I think because of the group of three, and the additional single leaf to the side. In a sense, this is two groups that each contain an odd number of elements.

So often we see vignetting, done without purpose, simply as an "add on" to an otherwise good image made with those great Olympus Zuiko optics. (It is hard for me to understand why pixel peepers and gear-heads that insist on having all the newest and best optics and equipment much up the results of those great pieces of glass, but that's another conversation that may take place at some time with serious artists.) Here, the darker edge seems to add a feeling of light within the image and focuses out attention on the leaves and the composition.

Thirdly, the leaves you have chosen to photograph have the insect damage, the chew marks on the edge that adds interest to the image. It makes me think of aging and portrays so well the feeling of autumn and of decay. It is so easy to portray fall with garish colors, but not so easy to do in monochrome. This still life is brilliant in that portrayal.

Fourth, you conversion is very nice, and your choice of warm colors to tint this image is a very good choice. So often tinted images show bands of color that detract from the presentation, and this shows no such visual anomaly.

I really love this image and the presentation. Simply masterful and a favorite of the year. Thank you for sharing this one, and keep up your visual explaoration.

Edwin

Edwin, Thank you very much for your thoughtful critique. Your comments are very perceptive of the visual impression I was trying to portray with this image. I was looking for simplicity and beauty in imperfect, overlooked and discarded parts of nature - it's a theme I want to explore more of. For me lighting is a critical element and I'm a total novice here and have no more equipment than a couple of lamps on the kitchen table (and an FL-36!). Understanding and experimenting with light is for me the biggest and most engaging challenge in photography. I really appreciate your kind comments, they truly provide inspiration to keep experimenting! Regards, Nigel