Palatial Hearts - (enlarge)

I had hoped to visit a couple of my favorite Garden Centres

yesterday to take some images, but my husband was not well. He

sounded terrible so 'off to the Urgent Care' I sent him. While he was

gone I decided to see how my Bleeding Hearts were doing at the

front of the house. The day before the plant was about 2x2 in

circumference. With our record breaking temps we've been having

the past 6 days, I found that the plant had nearly doubled what it was

the day before. I picked a few and decided to practice

my 'handholding' out under the Gazebo. Temps were in the low 90's

and I had no desire to be in the sun. I practised with few different

backgrounds. I hope you enjoy this image. * oh yes, while the flowers

were in good shape, Jim was diagnosed with Pneumonia. Some of

those Garden chores will just have to wait! (any visits and comments

as usual, are always welcome, sincere regards, Gail {macro})

Bleeding hearts are one of my favorite spring flowers.  I have an entire row of them, and I tried taking pictures of them once, which was a disaster.  I didn't get a single good image.  They're hard to figure out.  So that's why I can really appreciate this beautiful image!  They're brilliant/bold and delicate/frail all at the same time.  In this rather demure position they look so graceful.  The background color is a nice contrast as well.  Certainly hope your husband is on the mend.

Another precious image, my dear friend!|

Beautiful image Gail.  I like the composition and the colours are wonderful.

Cheers

Mike

Love the intense color and lines. Good work dear Gail. Saludos.

Good idea and great composition, Gail. Very good technically also.

Best regards

Eystein

Not alot to add to what's already been said, great color, composition, background...The texture in the flowers has a painting like quality.  Really really nice. 

Yesterday I saw me too this flower in my neighborhood that is completely bloomed ,we discussed last year about this splendid flower and is not so easy to have a good point of view for it,also the color seems to me a bit difficult when worked.So,here I like how it looks and idea with this bg imo fit for this.

Hi Gail,

There are a lot of flower pictures floating around these days, many very beautiful....this one is uniquely beautiful! The way you have set the flowers...the lighting, the single stem and that magnificent background...all so fine! The hue of the background really adds ambience and wonderful complexity to this photo. Nicely done!

Tim

Beautiful result!!!   AJ

very nice composition Gail...i like how the background modestly darker lines hold the image together...regards....David

A really beautiful result, very nicely composed too, with impressive colors, Gail!

Hi Gail,

  Beautiful creative image with wonderful colors, details & background.  Take care, Patsy

Beautiful work dear Gail !

My sincere thanks to each one for your visits and encouraging comments, truly appreciated!

My sincere thanks for your visit and thoughts on this composition.

Kind regards, GAil

I am so glad to hear that you really enjoyed this composition Tim, I was determined to practise my 'handholding' and was hunting for backgrounds and picked a few, I liked this one also.

Thankyou for those very kind comments on this composition, truly appreciate your visit.! I just saw your Bleeding heart image and it is lovely.

First, really really sorry to hear about your husband. Pneumonia is always terrible, and actually harder to deal with in hot weather. I hope it's better soon.

As for the photo, you've done a wonderful job. The composition is excellent, with the flowers covering the frame in exactly the right way. I love the background. You also handled the colour really well - sometimes these red/pink colours come out all wrong, but here it's perfect. Very well done!

So nice to hear from you! When I opened this image in Photoshop, I had to do very little in the way of adjustments. You are right, reds and bright pinks can be very difficult. I really have a problem with reds if bright sun is shining on the flower. I took a few images of Begonias the other day that the color of red/orange was just 'blown'. I am happy to hear you enjoyed this composition Ferdinand. (many thanks for your concerns for Jim. Actually today we visited the Dr. and he seemed to be doing better then, but this evening his cough is worse, but is loosening up. I have had it before and it is miserable, but I know it is a good sign that things are 'loosening'..thank you for your kind concern, I will pass it along to him ;-) 

Sincere regards, Gail

Each of you had such nice compliments and encouraging words with regards to this composition, I am truly appreciative.

Your very kind words are just the encouragement I need, my sincere thanks.

I wanted to divide my plant that grew to over 4 ft wide last year and with the very warm temps we have had in the last few days, it seems to have grown 2 ft per day. It is in a sheltered and shady spot. Many times I can't get near it  for bees, wasps or sometimes spiders!!! I picked these ones to practice with. Thank you for your kind remarks. Jim is bout half way through, kind of worse but it means he is getting better??!!?? thankyou for your concern Christale.

Hi Gail,

Technically an A++.

You have employed your Canon 100mm macro lens to its fullest potential at F/2.8.

The result is obvious, a magnificent presentation.

Warmest Regards, Mike

I am very humbled. I took so many captures determined to get one in good focus. The more I did, the better my handholding got.

Sincere appreciation, Gail