Kathy Hradecky
July 2025 - Daylily
About the Image(s)
This image is a daylily flower and was taken at a daylily farm at about 8:30 in the morning.
Settings:
1/200 sec
F11
800 ISO
100 mm macro lens
F2.8
I don’t believe I used a tripod for this one.
My challenge for this one was trying to get a composition that would showcase the beauty of the flower and include some focused and some unfocused areas. I liked this as it showed off the ruffle & texture in the petals and also the deeply contrasting colors. Taken slightly from the side seemed pleasing to the eye.
5 comments posted
Kathy: Love the color composition of this photo. Since you were going for some focused and unfocused areas of the flower, I would go for more consistency. For example, all the petals to be unfocused and the stamens to be focused or the petals to be focused and the stamens to be unfocused. The consistency would lend more credence to the composition of the photo. Posted: 07/17/2025 19:34:42
Color is nice. I would go for having the stamens focused as they are in the center and the lines on the petals lead to them
My mentor told me that on outside flowers to shoot at 1/1000th because of the chance of motion from wind. His comment was people think flowers are easy but they are one of the toughest things because of that combination of possible motion and the fact parts are often not on one plane.. You could have probably gone with a slightly wider open aperture and gotten the depth of field needed f
I am wondering if you were just too close for thelens. Posted: 07/19/2025 15:53:31
My mentor told me that on outside flowers to shoot at 1/1000th because of the chance of motion from wind. His comment was people think flowers are easy but they are one of the toughest things because of that combination of possible motion and the fact parts are often not on one plane.. You could have probably gone with a slightly wider open aperture and gotten the depth of field needed f
I am wondering if you were just too close for thelens. Posted: 07/19/2025 15:53:31
The colors are good and the pistol and stamens are nice and sharp. I'm confused as to why other parts of the flower on the same plane are not sharp. Posted: 07/20/2025 21:02:10
This is an excellent macro/close-up image that demonstrates mastery of composition, color, and lighting. It captures the rich and complex beauty of the flower in a way that highlights its most aesthetic details. Posted: 07/20/2025 21:11:06
Kathy, A visually striking macro with rich color contrast and beautiful texture in the petals. The composition works well from the side, drawing the eye to the flower's core. The slightly diagonal flow of the petals leads the viewer's eye naturally toward the center of the flower.
Focus & Depth of Field: The attempt to balance sharp and soft areas is conceptually sound. The stamens are sharp and stand out, anchoring the focal point. However, parts of the petals that appear to be on a similar focal plane are noticeably soft.
Aperture Confusion: You've noted f/11 and f/2.8. If this was shot wide open at f/2.8, the shallow depth of field makes sense. But if it was truly f/11, softness in seemingly coplanar elements suggests either lens limitations at that distance or slight motion blur.
Lens Distance: Being too close may have pushed the lens's ability to resolve depth evenly, even at higher apertures.
Consider a faster shutter or tighter control over your focus plane in windy or handheld conditions. Still, a lovely and engaging close-up. Posted: 07/21/2025 22:14:56
Focus & Depth of Field: The attempt to balance sharp and soft areas is conceptually sound. The stamens are sharp and stand out, anchoring the focal point. However, parts of the petals that appear to be on a similar focal plane are noticeably soft.
Aperture Confusion: You've noted f/11 and f/2.8. If this was shot wide open at f/2.8, the shallow depth of field makes sense. But if it was truly f/11, softness in seemingly coplanar elements suggests either lens limitations at that distance or slight motion blur.
Lens Distance: Being too close may have pushed the lens's ability to resolve depth evenly, even at higher apertures.
Consider a faster shutter or tighter control over your focus plane in windy or handheld conditions. Still, a lovely and engaging close-up. Posted: 07/21/2025 22:14:56