Comment from marlak25
Really beautiful creation. Looks sad and lonely, yet stunning in color and background. Technique is great!

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Jan-2014

Thanks Marla

Comment from Kbanich
I've never taken a pic like this. Any pointers? This is so pretty.

I like how the stem seems to come from darkness and transitions into this beautiful soft delight of a flower. Contrast is very attractive. Your clarity is exact with wonderful sharp focus on the point of attraction (the flower).

If your open to a couple of suggestions, I would direct your attention to the top right corner (you might want to paint or clone out the detached stem). Your focal point appears to have been on the part of the flower leaving the stem rather then the opening. I'm not sure if you were after an artistic approach to blur the opening or not.

Very attractive - Again, I'd be thrilled to receive some pointers - I might have to give this a go myself. :-) Kathy

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Jan-2014

I am always open to suggestions and you put them so nicely. :) I'm surprised to get so many fives on this. When I posted this, it looked fine. But when I look at far, it does not bear well in the focus department. :) I will see if I have another that is sharper. Thanks!

Comment from ramonafrances
I love the idea behind this, a simple blossom with a black background. Unfortunately, there are a few problems with it. Your clearest point OR point of focus was not the flower itself, but midway down the stem. The petals are out of focus and visual detail is compromised. In addition, you do not follow the rule of thirds. The flower is dead center. What is that? Google it. The internet will provide you with an in-depth explanation that could make a world of difference/

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Jan-2014

Thanks Ramona. I dont' always follow the "rules". I have been known to wander away from them but I do it with a purpose. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

Comment from VickileeS
And what a beautiful bloom it is. It is so beautiful it does not look real. It is beautiful as it is but almost passed it up as I'm on my iPad an it looked a bit dark. I think I would have liked a tiny bit more light on the front of the flower as it is beautiful. Or cropped the top off a little to show it off more. Either way it is lovely. Nice job!

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Jan-2014

Thanks so much Vickilee! I agree with your suggestion and really appreciate them.