Please take a look, newbie here

[Neena]

Hi there! Just took these pics, trying to the background blurred, and the flowers crisp looking. However it seems like the camera is capturing them the other way around...any suggestions? Apeture and shutter speed seem to be right....some guidance would help, thanks!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45143099@N04/4147838335/ f3.6 1/100
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45143099@N04/4148598328/ f3.2 1/125

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Neena

Hi there! Just took these pics, trying to the background blurred, and the flowers crisp looking. However it seems like the camera is capturing them the other way around...any suggestions? Apeture and shutter speed seem to be right....some guidance would help, thanks!

L1010896 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! f3.6 1/100
L1010898 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! f3.2 1/125

OK Neena, some basics to consider:
1) are you shooting with a point and shoot? F/3.2 should be wide enough to blur the background if using a DSLR
2) maybe you were too close to the flowers for them to be in focus
3) wind blowing the flowers?
Normally, a wide F/stop while shooting close to the subject should blur the background for you. Hope this helps

Vince

[PhotoRebel4]

If you're shooting with a P&S, make sure it's in macro mode (just covering the basics). If it is, and you're still having trouble try baking away a bit and zooming in slightly.

If you're shooting with a DSLR, try using manual focus.

[Bluenoser]

Use manual focus.

[junglebear]

Or if you're using auto focus, centre the frame on the flower, hold the shutter down halfway until the flower is in focus, then (while holding shutter halfway still) move the camera so you have the framing you want, then press down fully.
I don't mean to be patronising but a surprising number of people don't know how to do this!

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by junglebear

Or if you're using auto focus, centre the frame on the flower, hold the shutter down halfway until the flower is in focus, then (while holding shutter halfway still) move the camera so you have the framing you want, then press down fully.
I don't mean to be patronising but a surprising number of people don't know how to do this!

Your idea is good, but when you are very close to the subject even a slight shift to re-compose may compromise the focus clarity, especially when shooting wide open. I think it's probably better to compose in the view finder by dialing in your focus point and avoid the shift to re-compose altogether.

[gnardog]

what camera? youll probably want a low aperture, and use manual focus

[sassy_boy]

I found myself with the same dilemma a while back and the solution for me is to use spot focus. That way, I can control which focus point to use.

P.S. I'm a newbie too.