Orchid

[DanK]

I haven't shot flowers in quite a while, and I haven't done orchids in longer because orchids are shot so often. This weekend I just got the itch. C&C welcome, as always.

[JBW]

Not so sure about the crop. Either tighter or looser? I like the subtlety of the colors.

[rudi]

Apart from the soft lighting, this does not really work for me Dan, the reasons being:
I think a flower in pristine condition would be a better choice here.
The two lower petals are a bit too bright near the frame edge.
The tip off the petal, bottom centre, seems to to grab my attention.
I would like to see it a bit sharper, more detail. I wonder where the focus was.
Just my 2cents. YMMV.

[Wavelength]

Symmetry makes this image and i liked it well

[Geoff F]

I agree with the comments about going just a fraction wider to have slightly more space top and bottom.

Good exposure on a difficult subject. This scene probably requires more in the way of focus depth than can be achieved in a single shot so the lower leaf is a bit soft; otherwise, this image works fine for me.

[DanK]

Thanks all. I like the idea of darkening the lower leaves near the edge. I did some burning, but I could do more. I can't apply a simple vignette because it would interfere with the reds at the top.

This image is focus-stacked. I didn't keep the originals, but I think it was 9 images in all. The out of focus area in the lower leaf was a mistake; I rarely intentionally allow stacks to go out of focus on the near edge. I probably needed 2 more images on the close end. Everything behind the leading edge of the petals on the side (which are closer than the main body of the flower) is in focus, but the very smooth surface of part of the flower doesn't make that obvious.