Vivid Orchid

I am very ambivalent about this shot. Overall I am pleased with it

but the shadow at the centre annoys me. Until I can justify buying

a ring flash - any suggestion on how to avoid this?

I've found you can get rid of the shadow by turning off the flash and setting up a few lamps (min 3) around the object. The shadows of the lamps then cancel each other out. If the flower is not too deep, it'd probably work.

Alternatively, create a custom method of attaching the flash to just above the lens instead of on top of the camera, and moving the camera "down" a little bit so that the shadow "vanishes" behind the stigmas.