Sakura Dreaming

You put this into the NoMercy folder in #thephotographyunion and as such it shall be treated as so, but I feel at this stage due to the number of comments about this that any words here will be mute as so much has already been said. <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s…" width="15" height="15" alt="" title=" (Smile) - "/>
But its in the folder for a reason and for that reason I shall Critique it <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s…" width="15" height="15" alt="" title=" (Smile) - "/>

The first feel of this shot demands attention, from when it was in the deviation folder to when see it in full view it captures your attention.
The image, while flowers are commonly done, is soft with its colours slightly muted yet vibrant.
If this has been done in sharp contrast it would not have had the effect it does, and also same can be said if it was any less sharp than it is... confusing comment I know its hard to word <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s…" width="15" height="15" alt="" title=" (Smile) - "/>

The blue in the background fits this down to the ground very well, and the other flower heads been blurred don't distract from the main subject too much.
I do feel that there is slightly too much in the background, mostly to the top right side. Background of the background. if your unsure to what I mean I refer to the flowers that linger behind the branched off flowers in the top right.
With both aspects been blurred I do feel that it isn't needed, especially when you consider that the pinky feel there just does not look right.

The shadow itself along the branch is nice and dark but I do wonder if it is too dark... while at same time if it was too light it would ruin the composition and the effect.
It is a fine balance but it does draw the eye along the branch rather than the petal heads there. Too much dark in this case.

Vision: To see this in first place is simple enough, however majority of these shots don't take into account the background as well as your own has here so a 4.5

Originality Very commonly done image, there is plenty around and the only difference been the way its been done and that is where your own stands out from the others so a 4 here

Technique: Setting the camera up for this sort of shot and blurring the right aspects of it is 1 thing, I wonder though if your original image was over exposed slightly... I have a habit of over darkening parts of images where I mess up the exposure. 4.5 here.
If this is not the case then disregard that comment bout exposure <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s…" width="15" height="15" alt="" title=" (Smile) - "/>

Impact: The shot is very easy to look at and gentle on the eyes. Whilst the darker areas do draw the eye its not a major issue as its only a small section of the branch so 5 here for impact <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s…" width="15" height="15" alt="" title=" (Smile) - "/>

So overall apart from the couple of areas I highlighted you have done a cracking shot here so I don't see any reason to carry this on any longer <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s…" width="15" height="15" alt="" title=" (Smile) - "/>

-Member of #thephotographyunion's critique team.