Too much of a good thing?

[LadyHawk]

I like the bokeh effect and so have been using my lenses wide open when doing flowers (and I paid extra for those wider apertures)! But I think I'm overdoing it... How do I determine the appropriate aperture setting when shooting flowers? I hope this is a logical question... :o

[EOSAddict]

Can't answer the question but love both pics as they are!

[Maureen Souza]

Experiment with a few different settings, take notes and find what you like best, Karen. I think these photos look fabulous.....

[tim]

Only you can decide if you're overdoing it. They look good to me :)

[PhotosGuy]

Both look pretty good to me, 'specially the 2nd one.

[MAD DOG]

I think you've made a good job of both these shots.

[Matatazela]

Both have a really nice look and a very tranquil, dreamy kind of feel. If you like them, then keep on shooting that way!

[LadyHawk]

Experiment with a few different settings, take notes and find what you like best, Karen. I think these photos look fabulous.....

Thanks everyone for your comments. I think I'm going to take Maureen's advice and do some experimenting. :)

[HJMinard]

Beautiful shots, Karen. Maureen's advice is good ... different aperture settings are mostly going to affect depth of field, so experiment until you find the DOF vs. bokeh balance that you think is best. Obviously, as you increase DOF you need to be more and more aware of the background behind your subject.

[KevC]

Karen, your photos are gorgeous :) The only thing is the second shot, you might want to have the centre of the flower in focus (i don't remember the names.. lol. core?) instead of the tip of the petals. But I really really really love them. Was this shot wit hthe 50/1.4?

//edit: I just realised it must be, I just realised that your aperatures were listed in the frame. Consider... "stopping it down" a tad :)

[ChP]

Those are good shots with good boke. I think the DOF is well done, flower photography should focus on the flower. Your shots are nice.

[LadyHawk]

Thanks Jay, Kev and ChP... I went to a local nursery and tried different settings but haven't taken a look at them yet. Did a lot of "stopping down" ... :D
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I want to acknowledge forum member Mickle for providing the Script I used for the frames above. He was so kind to share his expertise with everyone on the forum. Thanks again, Mickle!

[DxHatchback]

Only you can decide if you're overdoing it. They look good to me :)

exactly.

on my f/1.8 i always keep it at 1.8 while doing flowers