arn

Nice graphic image. I like the lighting, exposure and composition.

.ARN.

My main question on this image is what is the subject supposed to be? There are two flowers that compete for my attention. The big red one in the foreground competes because of its size, placement, and the fact that its the one that is in best focus. However, the pink one sticking up on the background also competes for my attention by the fact that it is a different color and is not "lost" in the shrub's leaves. However this one is not in good focus.

The colors are a little weird for what I expect for flower photography.

I think that if the lighting were different and the image were cropped above the two out-of-focus flowers toward the right center of the current image you'd have a much stronger photograph.

This is a beautiful shot. A few comments however:

1) I agree with Lyndon that the "merging" of the two flowers does detract a little bit from the image. Moving slightly to the left would have prevented this merging and would have helped.

2) The grass (?) in the lower left corner also distract slightly.

3) The head of the butterfly seems to be a little soft. Perhaps opening up a litle bit more would have kept this in focus as well. It seems that the majority of the background is far enough away that this increase in DOF wouldn't have brought everything else in focus.

4) I also agree that the placement of the butterfly is better slightly off center.

5) I really like the horizontal framing. You've put just the right amount of space above and below the important elements of the image.

However, overall this is a GREAT photo. You've captured the essential elements and the rest comes with more experience.

.ARN.