Need Advice

Something new for me. First time using strobes in a studio for flowers. Well if you can call my kitchen floor my "studio" in this case :p

Anyway, I've always glossed over such images in galleries and festivals. But I have to admit is was fun and challenging at the same time. Perhaps my winter project.

I don't want to say what I used and how until I hear your impression of it.

Thanks in advance.

I think its really pretty. I love seeing a black background like that because the subject just pops. The flower looks awesome and I love how the top is folded just the slightest bit.

I'm not really good at giving feedback on things because I am so very NOT technical about things and its hard for me to explain why I like things sometimes, but I think thats a really beautiful image.

Amber

I am with Amber, I am not technical either, I just know what I like:)

I can really see the different textures in the flower and the black back ground against the white flower stands out.

I think it looks good Loupey. Composition wise I think it's very nice. The one thing that I can't decide on is the glow around the edge of the flower.

I really like colorful flowers (or anything colorful) on a black BG. A yard or two of black velvet is a great investment for a "studio".

I definitely like it, and it certainly looks technically well done. Well outside my genre of expertise, but pleasing nonetheless. Good work.

Sorry, but that image does nothing for me. I don't like the backlighting as it looks unnaturally to me.

I like it. The only thing I wish was there would be some additional slight illumination of the main flower stalk. Sorry but it's been a while since my last biology class and I can't remember if that's the stigma, style, etc. But you see some detail at the tip and I think that might add to the picture if it could be carried down.

Just to be clear, I'm really nit-picking here, this is a very nice photo as is!!

Thanks, everyone, I appreciate ALL your comments.

Please be nit-picky as I am new to this. I'd like to see how others view such images before I go expending a lot of time/effort on a whole series.

I was concerned about the following:

1. The color tint overall as this is a really white flower and I taped a #85 warming filter on the strobe illuminating it from behind
2. The darkness of the (stamen?) as RobMac mentioned
3. The slightly brighter curly-q at the tip caused from the overhead strobe
4. The overall brightness (seems a little dark in the white areas still)
5. The overall contrast (seems a little flat still - especially at the bottom stalk)
6. The "hot edge" around the perimeter as mjs1973 noticed

I'll try to work out the shot some more in my head and see if I can't shoot some different interpretations of it later.

The technical details:

1 strobe directly behind with warming filter #85
1 strobe directly overhead to illuminate the curly-q
1 reflecting umbrella beneath/in front to bounce light back onto the stamen
50mm f/1.4 lens
No backdrop necessary - juiced up power to the strobes to bring down the effect of the ambient light on the background

Thanks again!

For me one of the interesting aspects is that the petal takes on a flame like appearance starting at the base and moving up. I like it.