Orchid bloom

[Giya]

I took this while I was visiting the Chattanooga Aquarium. This particular flower caught my eye in the aquarium's butterfly exhibit (who knew butterflies could breathe underwater!?).

Just going for a nice pretty macro shot with good bokeh. I think my DOF may be a bit narrow. Input is welcome!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/giya/2341537933/" title="IMG_2715 by giyalmies, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2341537933_345a88a72d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_2715" /></a>

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

[jiminyClickit]

Giya, Welcome

Here's a link to some useful posting tips for Critique, number 5 in particular:

http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10889

[Mstee4eva]

Hello Giya,
Nice to see you hear! I am not exactly sure what you were looking for when you asked for a critique but hear goes, I like the shot it is clear and sharp! I love the Blk. BG but there is plenty of empty space to the right of your pic in fact way to much I suggest you crop this one also maybe get a lil more of a front view of the flower also next time try to get closer and fill the frame with the subject.
But it is still a beautiful picture never the less.

[wulf]

Just going for a nice pretty macro shot with good bokeh. I think my DOF may be a bit narrow.
I would concur with that. It looks like there was plenty of space between you and the background so closing the aperture another notch would probably have been feasible to get more of the flower in focus without causing the background to become distracting.

That, of course, assumes that you have a securely anchored camera (tripod, etc) and that the flower wasn't moving as you would need a slower shutter speed to compensate (I see your ISO was already up to 400). If anything, the overall picture could afford to be a bit lighter, which would make it seem more vibrant.

Wulf