C&C Please

I was wondering what else I can do to improve on the actual quality of picture. Would I be right in thinking its at times like this when the quality of camera and lens takes over? It could be my lack of editing skills, monitor calibration, and failing vision, or maybe a combination of all of them. I inspire myself to achieve results like you guys, this one was after looking at LordV`s pictures (wow) anyway I understand it cannot be achieved in two minutes but any positive C&C might speed things up for me.
Thanks

http://i119.photobucke​t.com …yufo/IMG_625791​4x1024.jpg

I think i would lie to see the stem protruding from another angle there is just something about that coming in from the side that troubles me just a tad....

Nice colors exposure and background blur however a little brighter would be nice...If you shot raw maybe you could up the exposure a little...

Thats my two bob

Thanks rooeey, the buds are from a bush which is loaded, all of them coming out at different angles, so my choice of composition is not limited

Detail is fabulous.you even got a refraction in there! I don;t mind the angle on this, its the direction the flower is leaning towards.makes sense to have to naturally framed.

Looks good to me. I might crop a little off on the left. I don't think you need all that stem.

Flo wrote in post #5731300
Detail is fabulous.you even got a refraction in there! I don;t mind the angle on this, its the direction the flower is leaning towards.makes sense to have to naturally framed.

Ditto for me.