Iris - C&C Welcome

[Ziggy]

[Geoff F]

Irises are very difficult subjects, as I know all to well.

The right side petals are a bit out of focus. That background isn't doing you any favours; but what else could have been done? Maybe try to selectively tone down the background highlights?

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[chauncey]

It is the rare flower that looks good regardless of the viewing angle...might have played with this
some more to get that perfect angle...stack it as well.

[DanK]

nice shot. I agree with Geoff--Irises are very tough. I've never been satisfied with any that I have done outside. What makes them tough is their depth. That much depth requires a great deal of DOF, by macro standards. I can't read your exif data, but I assume that is why you didn't get the entire flower in focus. And it is a tough tradeoff: the more you shut the aperture down to get more DOF, the more detailed and cluttered the background will be. The few times I have been satisfied with my own, I shot them indoors and focus-stacked.

Still, a nice image.

[Urbanflyer]

Lots can be done in PP to help tone down the background. Burning both highlights and midtones in the background and adding block to the green using selective color adjustments will give you something that makes the lovely color of the iris stand out. I can see why you were attracted to the image--beautiful flower!

[Ziggy]

Thanks all for the feedback on this image, it is appreciated and helpful.

I think all of you are a little more advanced than I am with PP software.

I will see if I can tone down the background and let the bloom stand out more.

[chauncey]

PP software is merely a crutch that this photographic cripple happily subscribes...

[JBW]

If you aren't stacking then just what is in and what is out of focus is always going to be a tough choice. The bg is overpowering.

[DanK]

It's possible to do flower photography without stacking. Just check the spectacular work of Christopher Beane. However, I can't manage without stacking. I never stack bug macros because I am simply not steady enough to get shots well enough aligned, but I stack most of my flowers.

[IzzieK]

Very nice, Jim...all lines up well....

[Ziggy]

Thanks Izzie, Dan, Brian and and Wm for the comments, appreciated.

I think overall what I do is very simple.

[Wavelength]

All your works are classic; they are exceedingly beautiful!!!

[IzzieK]

It's possible to do flower photography without stacking. Just check the spectacular work of Christopher Beane. However, I can't manage without stacking. I never stack bug macros because I am simply not steady enough to get shots well enough aligned, but I stack most of my flowers.

Thanks for the link...you think he does stacking? his composition is impressive.

[DanK]

Thanks for the link...you think he does stacking? his composition is impressive.

I thought I knew the answer, but now I'm not sure I do. I thought I had read that he mostly used film, and he must have in his earlier work, which would mean no stacking, but I am not sure if he uses digital now.

[IzzieK]

'Had googled him and there's not much about him really.