[slocookn]

C & C Please and thanks,
Steve

Link to photo with better resolution:

Picasa Web Albums - steve - flower

[Markulous]

Not sure if I like the focus on this but the comp works pretty well!

[nichpr]

Shots like this demand pin sharp focus across the blossom unless you are just trying to show the stamen. One effective technique to accomplish that is to arrange the subject and your camera so that they are both in the same plane - or that the face of the flower is parallel to your camera body. This will put the maximum amout of the flower within your field of focus (eg Depth of Field).
Another method is to use a smaller aperature (big f number) that will increase your depth of field. Don't be afraid of small aperatures and the longer shutter speeds they require - that's what tripods were made for. I've shot many pictures like yours at f32 with a 20 to 30 second shutter.
Keep shootin' and experimenting and posting here so we can share your progress.

[Rob Barron]

But F32 would bring the whole thing including the BG back into focus and I feel that would lose its softness. I agree though that the point of greatest focus needs to be on that central area and all of that part needs to be sharp. So I'd drop your aperture down a bit but not too far.

However, you are already showing this as F11 so f16 might not get it because you are fairly close. I know you were using a telephoto but perhaps you could back off a tad to allow the depth of field to increase (DoF naturally decreases the close you are to the subject in relation to the focal length of your lens) while keeping the aperture the same.

Although I agree with Paul that a long exposure can give superb results, this is much more difficult for a flower outside unless there is not a breath of wind or else you'll get motion blur. If you can shield the flower from any breeze without affecting the composition then great but that is not easy to do, especially in the UK where flat calm days are fairly rare.

Cheers,
Rob

[slocookn]

Exactly the advise I was looking for!


Thanks,

Steve

[fionaB]

the composition of this shot is lovely and if looking at that alone it would work perfectly, but i can only agree with what has already been said about the focus.... not gonna repeat it. one other thing i would add is that the colours are absolutely gorgeous in this shot!

Fi

[skipper954]

I agree with everyone.

Actually, I have nothing more to say, but I want you to know that I looked at the hi res image as well, and other than the focus on the back petals, it is lovely.

[slocookn]

I felt that the lack of focus on the front edge would give more of a feeling of depth. I thought this would keep the image from looking flat.

Thanks for all the positive comments as well.

Steve