Finally I got some free time today and I went to my local florist and bought some cut flowers to photograph. Our regular season ended last night and the state tourney doesn’t begin until next week so I am going to try to get a few floral images before things pick back up again.
I bought a couple of Irises to experiment with, I shot a few extremely shallow images of the flower but I am not sure how I feel about this one I do like the sweeping lines and color and also how you seemed to be pulled into the image. But I don’t get a wow from it, if you know what I mean, I haven’t picked up my camera for a couple of months and I don’t feel like I am in a flow yet.
Sometimes like basketball, I have to get out and shoot a lot images before I feel like what I am capturing is coming out like I intended, I sort of have to get warmed up and into the flow of the process before I will be happy with my work.
Once again thanks for stopping by and taking a look , your thoughts are always appreciated and welcome.
Bernie Kasper Photography 
I like this shot. Perhaps if the yellow part of the flower weren’t right in the center the image would have more impact?
Tom
Interesting shot. I do like the lines and of course, the color.
I like it, it’s different…
Especially the juxtaposition of delicate flowers and BBall in the Hoosier state…(not that there’s anything wrong with that…) 😉
R(etc…)
I love it Bernie. The blues are beautiful along with the depth they create. You know just how to emphasize the very best parts to create interest. The way you captured the lines makes the composition. Great start to a New Year! Good luck at the state!!!
I know what you mean about getting back into the flow after being off for a while. I always worry that I’m going to lose touch when I’m not shooting. On the other hand sometimes a break is just what one needs to bring fresh insights.
MDW
Not bad for being off for a while. Love the color. It does take a while to get back in the swing of things. caught the game finally. I heard my speech made ’em cry. I wish I could be there especially with sectionals starting next week. Been pretty boring down here the past couple of days. Just about half way done. Tell the girls I said good luck next week! keep shooting and it will come. by the way nikon came out with the d60 and some new lenses, even a perspective control. also an interesting 16-85 wich is wide angle with some zoom on it. any way talk at you later. JT
I like this shot, but I agree with you that there’s something missing to make it ‘oomph’. Perhaps it’s because the framing makes it an abstract shot, but the DOF gives it away. It could also be because the yellow is OOF but the blue on the sides is in focus, which seems a bit unnatural.
I think though if you play with the DOF and framing a bit with the same area of the flower you’ll get a really nice shot.
I do like the photo in it’s pattern of curves. And the blue is an amazing blue.
At first glance I really loved the image – as you said, it really draws your eye in – but reading the other comments, I think they make a valid point. The yellow is a great contrast to the purple but it seems to be more distracting because it is OOF. If tends to make your eye stop at the yellow instead of continuing to draw you in.
Still, the color is so deeply gorgeous that I can’t stop looking at it so maybe its not such a bad thing?
I like it as it is for the reasons already mentioned, but perhaps if you play with the angles and framing a little bit it’ll give it that extra “something.” I do agree that the DOF is a little strange-looking.
Bernie, I smiled at your mention of going to buy cut flowers to photograph. I’m desperate for spring, but we have a long way ’til then. I may have to do the same.
This image really works for me because of the focal point. Slightly blurring the foreground was a good move. Vibrant colors and perfect clarity!
Great shot Bernie, and very fitting as you know the color of the year is Blue iris! :0)
Shocking and refined, great shot!
Although I appreciate the color & composition here, something about the focus doesn’t do it for me.
oh gosh! just amazing man!
Very niiiiiice! I’m adding you to my BlogCatalog ‘friends’ and invite you to check out my photography some time: http://urbanislands.etsy.com
Best!
Viqi
wow Bernie, this is lovely, i love how the pattern leads us into the photo, in toward the center of the flower…
what kind of lighting did you use for this?
Thanks for stopping by everyone I appreciate the comments they are very insightful and help me a bunch.
Ankush…this was natural light thru my kitchen window.
Stunning up close shot of the inside of this iris! I love the colors!
very cool Bernie. I like how the yellow seems to be reflecting some light back onto the purple parts. very dynamic composition also.
I’m assuming this means either a) your bragging but trying to sound humble or b) your being completely honest. *grin* The sharpness you captured on just a couple of petal edges almost look “razor-sharp”. This seems (to me) like the signature of all of your flowers. Or what distinguishes your work from the works of others – I have no idea how you capture it but I’ve never (honestly) seen that on anyone else’s work. In a way I’m happy to know this is an almost subconscious act on your part. Depth is probably my favorite aspect to art (in paintings and photographs) it’s a personal thing but without it – everything screams two-dimensional. (And unless you attempting to say something with two-dimensions it has nothing to do with real life.) Trust me I watch you good buddy and I learn from your work every single day. I am however a bit unnerved by the fact that even your worst day’s work cannot be compared to my best day. (ahh…. well this fact makes me laugh too!) 🙂
p.s. Your razor edge really bites at my retina when the color takes a backseat.
Nice photo. A truly master photographer.
I see what you mean. It’s tough figuring out what will work sometimes. I usually find that the impression I get in the first millisecond is the one I should trust. Or if I go back days later I will see something new and interesting. The long middle time is not as useful for some reason.
It’s a great abstract macro, especially the way you composed it with the upper petal leading out and the yellow leading you in. I like it!
awesome – like a wonderful painting!
You are a great photographer. How do you make an iris so attractive? The rich color, the contrast and the tone. I am just speechless as the iris in my garden cannot compare.
Stunning abstract, Bernie. Nature gives all of us such unbelievable colors to work with.
When are we going to have some more photos?
All right basketball season is over and there is no such thing as “zebra season”. I am thinking you need to fill the pages with a few tropical plants. We have all kinds of flowery stuff down here from wild orchids, sea grapes, jasmine, hibiscus, all that is missing is your lens. If it flowers, they will come.
Sorry to hear about the game. I am going to try and find a recap somewhere.
A fine image all the same. Two months without picking up a camera! I go to greenhouses in the winter when I’m starved for floral color… I’ll think spring!
It’s a beautiful image. Iris is so sensual and you’ve captured that. I like the crispness of the petal edges and the crispness on the left hand side, though I agree with someone up above in the comments that the remainder seems a bit out of focus. I don’t know if that can be changed on such a close up/macro image. I also agree with someone up above, that the yellow might have been better a bit of centre. It tends to draw your eye down in to the bottom edge and it gets a bit difficult to travel back up and stay focused in the picture.
I hope you were truly looking for comments and you won’t be put off by my having made a suggestion. It truly is a beautiful image nonetheless.
I must say that flower photography is difficult to do. So many people do it and so it needs an exceptional vision and technicality to pull it off. You are in that exceptional zone, I’d say.
Thanks for sharing your vision.
K