Iris after rain

[APG-Angus]

Looking for ways to make shots like this to work better. EXIF should be intact, this is brie:f
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
EF17-40mm f/4L USM
1/100 sec at f / 6.3

I will critique it first maybe that will help say what I am trying to achieve.

First I should have either positioned myself better or used a white background to block out the background (fence and trees), I find them too distracting.

Second I could have used a bit more light on the front of the subject, I think a gold reflector behind and to my left would have done a lot.

Ok, your turn. What else? Do you agree or disagree with my critique?

Are there any PP changes you'd make?

Deeper or more shallow dof? Different focal point?

http://www.apgaming.com/rwallis/Douglas/images/IMG_1060.jpg

[Sisyphus]

An iris is tricky because it's such a big, sprawling bloom. To capture the shape and form, you lose detail. To capture the detail, you lose the shape and form. In any event, I like what you've done here insofar as the abstract perspective. The color is good. Of course the sky is completely blown, but you're getting a nice translucent effect from the backlighting. A bit more front-lighting MIGHT be good, but then you risk canceling any advantage of the back-lighting. I guess the only way to know for sure is good 'ol trial and error.

[APG-Angus]

An iris is tricky because it's such a big, sprawling bloom. To capture the shape and form, you lose detail. To capture the detail, you lose the shape and form. In any event, I like what you've done here insofar as the abstract perspective. The color is good. Of course the sky is completely blown, but you're getting a nice translucent effect from the backlighting. A bit more front-lighting MIGHT be good, but then you risk canceling any advantage of the back-lighting. I guess the only way to know for sure is good 'ol trial and error.

Thank you, anyone else?

EDIT-note on the sky: I had seen the sun peering through, this was late afternoon, and I tried to capture direct sunlight coming through the flower but by the time I got it position the clouds had moved back in and I only had the super bright clouds and no beams. It got dark and rained again and then it was night.