orchid X three

[chauncey]

Boredom was setting in while I was having my coffee and doing my morning crossword puzzles.
Had been pondering the best colors for photogenic orchids...white gets my vote, simply because
it's easier to define the colors from the white background.

These were taken using my sunlit wooded area adjoining my patio as a background.
They were taken individually and united in PP.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures, if you look long enough you can see clown faces.

[NorthernFocus]

Nice captures, if you look long enough you can see clown faces.

Interestingly I was thinking something very similar. When grouped in this manner it does remind me of faces.

[Mike Buckley]

The background is the best part of the image for me.

You seemed to use different lighting on each flower, which makes the scene appear odd because we expect to see the same lighting throughout a scene. Similarly, based on my experiences, in reality it would be exceptionally difficult to come upon a scene with three different species arranged in this composition. Between the lighting and that aspect of the composition, the image immediately struck me as being arranged before I read your text explaining that indeed the image is a composite.

[IzzieK]

The middle of the purple one looks a bit clownish but the white one has a nice tiger face...the yellow one is the best...if you include the purple face down the dark purple-ish bottom it is a complete being...with face, hands and legs.

Nice shot William...you have just created a conversation piece.

[Rebel]

Really like this photo, I think it would make a good print.

[DanK]

Re the best colors: I lean toward simple. In my experience, the really complex striped ones are interesting to look at but work less and less well for photos the closer you get. Some of the ones of mine that have worked best have been virtually pure white, and the worst I have ever taken was a yellow and maroon tiger stripe.

[chauncey]

You seemed to use different lighting on each flower

Not exactly Mike...I tried composing the three blooms on three different plants, it proved too difficult.
I simply swapped out the plants using the same lighting scenario and composed in PS.

I agree with Dan concerning the colors. Something to consider when visiting my florist for subjects.

Clowns...I thought that they resembled the creatures from "The Predator" series.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Boyer The white one is so nice that IMO you should try shooting it alone, may be with a black BG

[deetheturk]

Very nice William

[Jeff S]

It may be simply a personal preference sort of thing, but I'm not wild about the color of the background. Like Binnur mentioned, I prefer a black BG. I do like the blur, though, as well as the flowers themselves, of course.

[Mike Buckley]

I simply swapped out the plants using the same lighting scenario

Lighting is more than the physical setup of the light sources; it also includes how the various subjects are positioned relative to the light sources. If you look at the blossoms, you'll probably notice that the shadows aren't the same. Thus, your lighting is indeed different and it was apparent to me as soon as I viewed your photo.