Heart of the Lily

[bentyson]

I have been trying to show the beauty of flowers in a photograph and decided that one way was to get up close to capture some of their intricate detail. I think I came close here. How could this be improved?
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: 18-55mm
Shot at 55mm in natural morning light ( before 10am)
1/80 sec. at f16 on a tripod
iso 100

[windrider86]

Try shooting them at an angle so the middle part isnt straight up and down in the center of the frame. That'll add more interest to your subject
I'd also try using a larger aperture to give this a bit more depth

[bentyson]

Thanks for that insight. I was working so hard to get this shot I didn't think about trying another angle.I have seen examples of what you are suggesting and you are right. One more thing to keep in mind.

[Doug Sundseth]

You might also try using a softer light to knock down the shadows falling across the petals. If this was shot in sunlight, you can use a diffuser panel (like the middle of a 5-on-1 reflector) to give you very soft light.

[cyber3d]

Personally, I like your technique - full close up image. I do think a vertical format would be better as the top of the pestle is too close to the border and is distracting.

I would also like it to "pop" a bit more. Play with the levels a bit. it is good now, but I'd like to see a bit more.
If you are going to use a shallow DOF, then make it obvious, either make it really shallow or very deep. It is kinda in the middle.

Finally, if it were me, I would retouch all the tiny spots and the bigger spot right next to the second pestle.

[bentyson]

The idea of a reflector has crossed my mind but I don't have one. In the future I plan on getting one and using it when necessary. As for the idea of either really deep or shallow depth of field, I was trying to get a deep one here. I think I am limited by my lens. The kit lens that came with the camera is not the best. I know that now. I'm thinking of either the NIkon Manual 55mm prime or the 17-55 zoom. I can't make up my mind about a macro.

I will try playing with it a bit more in the raw form and adjusting levels etc. in photoshop and see if I can bring something more out of it.

This is by far the best photo of a flower I have done, but there is always room for improvement and trying to make future shots better just makes taking them more interesting.