Photographed during the summer in town. We have a wonderful climate here in northern Colorado with over 300 days of sunshine and many buildings have wonderful displays of flowers. I spent several days in town just walking around with my camera, tripod and a small cooler that I used to sit on, set the tripod on, and hold a cold drink! Here I used a very shallow DOF since I wanted to emphasize the absolutely gorgeous colors of these lilies and the lighting. But I still wanted the viewer to have something to focus upon as well as know that this is a flower.
Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 100 f2.8 macro lens, 1/2500, f2.8, ISO 800, tripod
I like the composition and colours, having said that I have a slight reservation over the top right border, I think the wavy line is a little distracting. I would liked to have seen the central lower stamen in sharp focus, having said that I think it is a very eye catching and pleasing image.
Wow, awesome colors! Almost looks like it's on fire! The stamen add enough interest as a subject. I agree with Jonathans comment on the top right corner. I found that a slight crop from the top (frame edge touching the flower on the point where the right and middle petal meet) already solves most of that problem. For a next time: if you would have chosen a slightly higher stand point and a little bit to the right, you would have caught the stamen with only petals as BG without any edges.
Beautiful, somewhat abstract looking colors and the sharp anthers really make the image work! The top edge of the petal isn't really bothering me - different strokes and all that. Very nicely done!
Thanks all for the diversity of opinions ! I have images with and without the bkgd creeping in. I really could not decided myself if one was better than the other.
I think I prefer the image you posted later, but this one is also a beauty. Glorious colors. Love the wavy lines. I like your description of how you walk around town--I might try it.