Doug Wolters
October 2026 - Dahlia from the Dahlia Society's 91 Annual Show
Original
About the Image(s)
Shot with an Olympus OM 1, Olympus 60mm macro lens, 1/50 sec. at f/ 9.0, ISO 4000. Shot at the Dahlia Society’s 91st annual show. I love this photo; do you think there is enough here?
6 comments posted
Hi Doug,
I love dahlias. It's like you can't go wrong. They are so beautiful. The varieties are so numerous. It's a lovely study of the color combination and petal structure of this particular bloom. Although, now that I have stared at your original, I see lots of little puppy teeth, lol. But I guess macro will do that to the viewer. I do feel as if the vignette is a bit strong, although I understand you wanting to use one. I find myself studying the original more than your final because I am distracted by the vignette. The original also leaves me wanting to see the whole flower! So pretty! I bet it was even more vibrant than the photo! Posted: 10/03/2026 00:09:55
I love dahlias. It's like you can't go wrong. They are so beautiful. The varieties are so numerous. It's a lovely study of the color combination and petal structure of this particular bloom. Although, now that I have stared at your original, I see lots of little puppy teeth, lol. But I guess macro will do that to the viewer. I do feel as if the vignette is a bit strong, although I understand you wanting to use one. I find myself studying the original more than your final because I am distracted by the vignette. The original also leaves me wanting to see the whole flower! So pretty! I bet it was even more vibrant than the photo! Posted: 10/03/2026 00:09:55
HI Doug, I love dahlias also! Would love to go to an annual dahlia show but here in Sacramento -- too hot, probably.
I have to say the white tips do seem a bit much for me, in this close-up. That, plus the white vignette, attracts my gaze to the white parts and then I miss the whole flower. I'd love to see some other dahlias in a shot like this, without the white tips. Or, I think if we could see more of the flower, and some of the backdrop around it, would be really nice.
One other thing - there's a little tear in one of the petals a bit right of center that you could easily repair in photoshop.
How about creating a vignette that's closer in color the the pink on the petals? Might be worth a try. Posted: 10/06/2026 01:02:27
I have to say the white tips do seem a bit much for me, in this close-up. That, plus the white vignette, attracts my gaze to the white parts and then I miss the whole flower. I'd love to see some other dahlias in a shot like this, without the white tips. Or, I think if we could see more of the flower, and some of the backdrop around it, would be really nice.
One other thing - there's a little tear in one of the petals a bit right of center that you could easily repair in photoshop.
How about creating a vignette that's closer in color the the pink on the petals? Might be worth a try. Posted: 10/06/2026 01:02:27
Doug, nice to see your work. Nice crisp shot of your Dahlia with the entire image sharp and well lite. I think you captured a strong pattern and vignette at the edges.
I assume that you had some parameters to deal with at such a show, limiting your equipment changes etc. To my personal likes, I would have presented one of the more colorful varieties. Not to complain about your choices, but I bet there were more options. Posted: 10/08/2026 20:38:06
I assume that you had some parameters to deal with at such a show, limiting your equipment changes etc. To my personal likes, I would have presented one of the more colorful varieties. Not to complain about your choices, but I bet there were more options. Posted: 10/08/2026 20:38:06
I sometimes do not post my best images, but post ones that I'm curious to see what people think of that image. Yes, I have many colorful ones. Do you think there is enough here to keep someone's attention? Posted: 10/08/2026 21:18:13
For me, there's something missing here and I think what it is is that the white tips are distracting and my preference for this kind of picture would be for it to be a lot sharper. That would grab my attention. Cuz I like to see the texture in the flowers. That would interest me. Posted: 10/08/2026 22:27:06
Yes, especially if you don't remove that brown ?? on the 2nd row down (right) :-) Posted: 10/09/2026 01:28:20