Critique for improvement please

[dianas]

What do you think of this shot? Suggestions for improvment? Thanks.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1351/783869502_54f468a255.jpg

[Snapman]

Sorry to turn your question around but why are you dissatisfied with it as it is? It looks pretty decent to me.

[dianas]

I'm trying to creatively crop and show the pic. I've seen many flower photos, especially on Flickr and wanted this to be "different" and something that would stand out and be appealing. I'm not dissatisfied with it, just would like to know what others think when they see it.

[howzitboy]

look great but id try darken or burn in the flower part thats really white. that way u keep interest on the stem thingys.

[Snapman]

look great but id try darken or burn in the flower part thats really white. that way u keep interest on the stem thingys.

I strongly disagree - One of the picture's strengths is the detail in the white areas.

[moey-ak]

i like it i liiike itt!!! :D

[airfrogusmc]

I like it as is...

[Glenn NK]

I like it very much.

Obviously a closeup, and with that comes very limited depth of field. My personal preference is to get as much of the flower in focus as possible, but when you're so close, even at f/22 the DOF is limited.

You have the stamens pretty well in focus, and that's an accomplishment in itself.

I like the almost black background - it sets off the stamens very well.

What aperture did you use? I'd be interested in comparing notes - I tend to use values of f/4 to f/6 or so to "fuzz out" the background.

[dianas]

Thanks all. Glenn this was shot with my Sigma 17-70 at 70mm pretty close up. f/11. Cropped from original shot (obviously) I kind of thought that the entire flower would be in focus at f/11, not sure why some if it is still blurry. I still have trouble getting close in and getting everything I want in focus.

[12stones]

I think this picture is great. If you're looking for more detail in the pic, here's what I came up with.

This has a slight increase in contrast, it's been clarified (I use PSP so not sure what the PS equivalent is), edges smoothed then sharpened. It doesn't change it much, but you can see the detail in the petals slightly better.

[dianas]

Thanks 12stones. Definately more detail now. Appreciate it :)