Macro Flower - critique needed

[bennyboy]

I took this while I was camping a while ago. I don't have any macro lenses yet so this is as close as it gets I think. Personally I like the DOF here but there is definitely something I don't like about this shot. I just can't put my finger on it. I think maybe it just looks boring compared to how it really looked ;)

What would have done differently to make this a better shot? The more constructive the criticism the better :D
Aperture: f/4.5
shutter: 1/400
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/bennyboy1_5/Forum%20Pics/LittleFlowers1000.jpg

Thanks for looking

[mr.photoguy]

I like it ..
Was this the closest that you could get to it ?... Could you fill the frame with it ?

[PhotosGuy]

It's not a terrible shot. If you have PS I'd either crop in on the sides, or darken or blurr the background. At Aperture: f/4.5 you're probably wide open. If you could have possibly have gotten closer, you would have thrown the background more out of focus.
Maybe get an extention tube to allow closer focusing. I've had a +10 close-up filter for decades & it gives pretty good results when you don't want to carry a macro lens around. They come in smaller magnifications, too & are relativly cheap.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Plus10_0067.jpg

[bennyboy]

Thanks for your ideas guys.

Photosguy I totally agree with you on the aperture side of things and thanks for the advice on the filter. I've been looking at the close-up filters for a while but have been undecided on the matter.