Dahlia detail

I'm with Saul. I've shot like, 5 rolls of MF macro of Dahlias this year, and most look like this one, and I've seen killer macro shots in general critique that are more amazing. This isn't a bad POW and I agree the tonality is wonderfull, but when you're taking pictures of things that just sit there and don't move, I expect some more originality other than just narrow depth of field {yawn}.

Absolutely beautiful picture! But, I would like to know how it was done. Was a flash held behind the flower? Was it digitally re-done? To me pictures digitally re-done are not true photographs. Computers are at the point that a shot like this can almost be done without a camera. However, if this photo was not re-done then I give it the highest accolades (10+).

I will admit that I am far from the most experienced photographer commenting upon this - and other - photos, but I would have to disagree strongly with those people suggesting that the composition of this photo could be improved. It seems that the common objection in the few complaints that I have read with respect to this photo is that the central pink petals are too close to the bottom of the frame.

 

Well, while I didn't say so in my earlier comment, I remember thinking at the time that in addition to the delicacy of the lighting and colors, I also thought that the composition was spot-on. I like the fact that we are seeing an unevenly weighted representation of about half the petals. I like the fact that the creamy off white colors radiate away from the lower left side of the frame. I like the fact that with this slight lower left "weighting" , Bill adheres to the "not-in-the-centre" rule without, IMHO, being overly self-conscious in the attempt. Again, IMO only, the composition is wonderfully subtle and should be commended.

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I love this photo [cos its like one of mine] I like the backlighting and I like the delicate pastel colours. If i would change anything it would be to have had a slightly different perspective with the centre of the flower slightly higher in the frame and maybe slightly to the left.

But nice

stuff.

Really nice job. I like the composition with the center lower because of the direction the flower is "facing". Sort of like a portrait where it is usually more pleasing to have more negative space in the direction the person is looking. This flower is slightly looking up and to the right.

 

There was nothing that my untrained eye could see to improve upon. The originaltiy issue did strike me at first, but most all of us have taken flower shots, or tree shots, or colorful leaf shots, and it still impresses when you see it done so well. Maybe some others are seeing pictures this good every day, but I'm sure not. I don't think the fact that it is a flower macro should impact whether it is judged a good shot or not. Were I in the exact same setting with the same equipment, I doubt I could produce this high quality an image and I doubt many others could either. I think this shot took a good eye among otehr things to see its potential realized and not come off as hokey or cliche. It's very hard to make something common appear uncommonly good.

 

I like the loose and succulent appearance of the outer leaves contrasted by the inwardly rolling, sharply focused "teeth", sort of like an anemone that just caught an unawares fish and is pushing it down into its middle. It looks almost mechanical and menacing.

 

I don't care if it was digital or silver halide or both or neither.

This is truly a beautiful photograph! It's very inspiring!

Yes, this is a simply gorgeous image, but I really don't understand how it gets over a 7 in originality. Aside from the selective DOF, I don't think this shows much creativity. Do people automatically give aesthetically superb images higher originality ratings?

I've done thousands of flower photos over the years. I think the composition and lighting of this photo is great. Beautiful subtile tones. It's the kind of photo you can live with on the wall. It won't quickly "wear" the viewer out.

This is one of those photographs that makes me crave more quality time with my camera.

Well deserving of it's POW status.

Chris Grady
http://grady.org

This is a straight scan of Provia - not digitally reworked. Lighting is just a sunny day with reflector and diffuser at the Golden Gate Park Dahlia Garden. The genius of this shot is that of the people who develop and grow these flowers - in this case Erik and Gerda Juul of San Francisco. I believe this variety is known as Juuls Lotus. If you're interested in the extreme range of varieties of dahlias, I have a few hundred more shots of them at http://bstorage.com/wksphoto/dahlia/index.htm

I just want to highly recommend following the above link to Bill's website. Not only is there a huge variety of unbelievable Dahlia's (I now have 6 favorites).... There are also tons of great photos of the San Francisco area!!! Great site...

Well I think it's a great shot in all. But I've just seen so many flower pictures close up and everything that this one doesn't really feel to original. There's just not much of a mood to it!

 

A truly magnificent image. It's as though the petals are opening during the exposure.

This is a beautiful image, well done.

I must agree with Pawel Oziemblowskis comments on macro nature shots. People do not look at these shots with the wonder that nature deserves. They also do not give credit for how difficult it is to get a decent shot of e.g. a bee - with wings that are never still for a minute. I mainly take this type of photograph for the pleasure of seeing the marvellous detail of these wonders. I do not post them anymore due to comments such as, "it would have been better to move that blade of grass one millimetre to the left"

I am a beginner in photography. I hope I can take pictures like this one day.

Beautiful colours, subtle detail, good choice for photo of the week.

I think this is a very lovely picture...

if photography is about capturing the moment, then this photo has successfully done it. Unlike others think that it is just another macro flower, I personally feel that the flower is at the stage of blossom/awakening. It is both inspirational and sweet. Definitely convey the messsage better than POW of some many weeks before of a black man potrait.

could see the petals so clearly....good try!

Some people say in such detail photos the exposure location shouldn't be named. I don't agree with this.

I've took a look at your website and at the dahlia which I know from my teenage. I didn't expect to find it in San Francisco again.

 

There is some Turner in this photo also, like in Pier 40: the fog around the centre of the flower.

This is the first picture I've seen on this site, and my first comment. The picture is simply gorgeous. It's a fabulous subject and the execution is superb. I rate it as a 10 on the aesthetic side, but can't rate it for "originality" because the term makes no sense at all independent of aesthetics.

A money shot!

If I burned up 50 rolls of Provia and got just this one shot, I'd be tickled pink with the investment. Keep on truckin', Bill--your drummer is playing a fine tune.

Great shot! It's tough to capture the essense of a flower. There are no distractions. The whole picture is in harmony with the flower.