As a nature guy, I usually look for tack sharp images. I don't know exactly your vision for this image, but it seems to be very soft, except in certain areas. If you were trying for a sharper image, I would suggest a higher ’ stop for more DOF. I tried to put it through Sharpen AI, but it was too much out of focus to make a real difference. If you were trying for more of a soft, dreamy look, it is too sharp in places. So I am too confused on your intent in order to make suggestions.

  Posted: 03/09/2023 00:19:23

Peter, I like your composition but as Jim already said the image is soft. I also tried to sharpen the image but could not. I have two thoughts. First, as Jim suggested, use a higher F stop on close ups, perhaps F/11 or F/16. Second, try focusing on the front edge of the flower. The area of sharpness in close up photography is shallow going forward from the center focal point and greater going backward so it is important to focus on the front edge of your image. If the front edge is sharp I think the eye can go along with some softness further back in the image.   Posted: 03/09/2023 08:11:37

To both Jim: It is a Makro so I didn't want to use a smaller aperature like 11 or 13. Dued to the distance on the one hand and the background, which sure had to be dark AND smooth, I didn't want to change my constellation. I must admit, that I was too lazy to make serial photos for stacking - more than to shoot a very sharp photo I wanted to have a black background and a bright object. That's, where my focus was.
Next time with stacking! Which is another challenge in addition! Thanks for your comments!   Posted: 03/09/2023 08:35:24

The earlier comments had me looking critically at flower photos I have taken recently. My goal for our April display is a focus stacked flower.   Posted: 03/25/2023 19:01:43