Hi Peter - I've enjoyed looking at these images. I used to use Fuji film back in the 90's when I had to do some industrial photography. I'm not familiar with this type, but I always thought Fuji had the edge for fine work. Clearly, you must have a quiet and still studio for 8 second exposures!
#3 I think is superb, the colours and the off-subject slash of on-subject colour. The lilies seem to my eyes to be very slightly under-exposed, but that may be a function of the display size as when I enlarge them the exposure seems OK.
Cheers
David
I prefer #3 as well, the image is nicely centered without the cropped edges of #1 or #2. I would go with a tighter shot if you aren't going to include all of the flower, especially with so much space in the background which actually competes with the flower tonally. #3 just seems to take over the frame and the splash of purple-red leads the eye throughout the image.
I love the cabbage. Who would've thought a cabbage could be so photogenic? The colours are glorious.
Something I do with my digital shots of flowers is to push the contrast right up and then adjust the brightness. I like the effects I get with this.
Ran out of room trying to go far enough back with the 210mm lens to the whole flower but should have framed the lilly shots better. Next time I'll use a 100mm lens and get more of the flower in the frame. I believe the winter cabbage isn't actually edible but thet do look photogenic.
Always the problem with photography, you are either too close or too far. I have a similar dilemma, there is a cathedral right outside my window about fifty feet away (I am on the ninth floor) and I cannot get a complete shot through my window. The roof is off limits and my only option would be to stitch several images together.