Dandelions are fascinating flowers and seeds to photograph. Getting in close like this allows one to see the beautiful details we otherwise mss.
I think the flash hurt this image by creating those super bright spots (however, I don't use flash so don't really know). Somehow, the dof is not what I would have expected with f22. If more of the dandelion were in focus, this would be a stronger image.
I like the angle you chose, the crop and the dark bg.
I like your composition, and your use of DOF creates a nice 3D feel. I do feel that the image has a little too much contrast (much dark and much highlight, but too little in between). The image is also very grainy, result of very high ISO? I also see some jpeg artifacting on the stem.
I think in this case the noise throughout the image is a deal breaker for me, Grahame. I do like your choice oc composition and the angle you chose for the flower in the frame. Do you have any idea why the image is so dark overall?
Hey Grahame, I like the positioning of the dandelion, agree a brighter white would look nice. I agree with Anitia, it seem like you should be getting a lot more depth of field at f/22.