Flora - 1st Place

Gallery: EPA 2012Posted July 29, 20121,887 views42 comments

1st Place Winner - Flora

Hollyhock series #1

Nikon D300,Sigma Macro... 150mm, F/8, 1/200, ISO 200.

Hollyhock "alcea rosea" is an annual that propagates easily, by cutting the stalks late as possible so the seeds can fall down and propagate. I think #1 is the best of the series, but I will let the viewers decide. Comments appreciated.

Comments

42 comments

Comment posted by Ken Henke on July 29, 2012 at 5:33 PM

The stamens are a bit soft, but the composition makes the image striking. I can't imagine better lighting. Well done.

Registered on February 20, 2012, 117 Posts, 285 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on July 29, 2012 at 6:41 PM

I really like this image. Great composition and color.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Windom on July 29, 2012 at 7:10 PM

The lines radiating out from the centers and the way they contrast with the darker red really make this image. Maybe a slight boost in contrast?? Nice stuff!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 176 Posts, 2302 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on July 29, 2012 at 7:40 PM

Wow...a quintet of bold voices! I like the cascade-effect from bright and detailed top left going down to darker and softer....but,the top left one is like an exalted winner who is shadowing over the others.

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on July 29, 2012 at 10:45 PM

Very stunning design here. No nits at all ~ beautiful

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on July 29, 2012 at 10:56 PM

Frame filling good, Albert. Very striking.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Jaymes Dempsey on July 30, 2012 at 3:10 PM

Really nice light, Albert. Great, great composition. I like this one a lot.
Jaymes

Registered on June 28, 2010, 47 Posts, 590 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on July 30, 2012 at 3:12 PM

This is absolutely stunning Albert. Wonderful shot in every respect. I love it!

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Derek Yow on July 30, 2012 at 3:15 PM

Love the cascading blossoms and the brillant colors. Just wish for a little more sharpness in the stamen on the left edge.
Not a deal breaker though. Great work!

Registered on May 18, 2010, 26 Posts, 655 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on July 30, 2012 at 4:29 PM

Great shot Albert !!! Beautiful work !

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 30, 2012 at 4:42 PM

Oh, Albert! What an incredible image you have made here!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on July 30, 2012 at 4:51 PM

This is absolutely stunning! You handled the reds beautifully, and the composition is perfect!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 30, 2012 at 7:49 PM

Great impact, interesting composition Albert.
I think this really displays the inherent beauty of the hollyhock well, & makes a bold statement at the same time.
Some very nice eye candy!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on July 30, 2012 at 8:41 PM

Albert:
Stunning image. I wait to see the others.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on July 30, 2012 at 8:45 PM

Absolutely stunning photo, Albert !!. One of your very best photos, in my opinion

Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments

Comment posted by Shrinivas Sharma on July 30, 2012 at 9:39 PM

Very well done, Albert. Looking forward to rest in series.

Registered on January 24, 2012, 33 Posts, 164 Comments

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on July 31, 2012 at 8:51 AM

Frame filling wonderful Albert. You need to print this big and hang it where everyone can see.
Bob

Registered on October 27, 2005, 289 Posts, 4202 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on August 4, 2012 at 8:27 PM

Albert: I have been around here a long time and this is without a doubt the finest hollyhock image I have seen on the site bar none. Spectacular image. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Brigitte Lorenz on August 5, 2012 at 2:38 PM

wow...great work,Albert !!!!

Brigitte

Registered on January 10, 2009, 187 Posts, 1507 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 8, 2012 at 3:42 PM

Wonderful colour contrats, detail, and comp.
Congrats on a fine WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Pete D on August 8, 2012 at 4:55 PM

I have no formal training in art, but I've been told this would be called an open composition. There is no intention of showing an entire object, or group of objects. The photographer chose to make us concentrate on a pleasing portion of the whole.

Very nice composition and lighting, from what I can tell on a computer monitor. I would have tried some at higher f-stops to increase depth of focus.

Pete D.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 590 Posts, 1794 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on August 9, 2012 at 6:47 AM

Sorry I missed this one, Albert - just beautifully composed and executed. Congrats on the EP !!!!!!

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Grabski on August 12, 2012 at 3:53 PM

Albert congrats on WP. This is stunning.

Registered on April 29, 2011, 122 Posts, 431 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on August 14, 2012 at 9:26 PM

Outstanding! One of your finest.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on August 30, 2012 at 5:42 AM

Congratulations, Albert, on this fine art of the Hollyhock. Gorgeous color and light and so well composed.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on January 5, 2013 at 11:15 AM

Congrats on your award. Well deserved!! I am very happy for you. Larry

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on January 5, 2013 at 12:32 PM

Albert, a splendid photo that I missed and a very well deserved award. Beautiful!

Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on January 5, 2013 at 12:42 PM

Albert: All of us on the moderator staff were not only impressed with this image but your entire portfolio this year was just superb. From our standpoint you were the most improved photog in the gallery. Congratulations on a wonderful 2012 and looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2013. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 5, 2013 at 1:21 PM

Albert - congrats on the 2012 Flora - 1st Place win!
This is a stunning image in every way.

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on January 5, 2013 at 2:37 PM

Albert - Echoing what Bill said earlier. Congrats and looking forward to more stunning work in 2013.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on January 5, 2013 at 7:15 PM

Many congratulations, Albert, on the award - for a truly outstanding image in a year when you have produced so much fine work !!

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 5, 2013 at 8:12 PM

Congratulations on the EPA, Albert!!! Fantastic image!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on January 6, 2013 at 6:40 AM

Congrats Albert!!!

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on January 6, 2013 at 8:35 AM

Congrats on the award, Albert.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 6, 2013 at 10:42 AM

What a marvelous way to start 2013! this is just amazing , considering the great images posted in Flora in 2012!! My 1st place EPA win came as a pleasant surprise, and a great honor.

many thanks to the moderators, and member's for their wonderful encouragement

Albert Darmo

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on January 7, 2013 at 9:57 AM

just gorgeous! don't know how I missed this in 2012

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on January 7, 2013 at 3:27 PM

Albert, I especially wanted to say "Congratulations" to you. You've worked long and hard for this award and deserve it.

Best wishes,
Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on January 8, 2013 at 10:55 AM

Congratulations! This is one of my all time favorites in Flora...so I was not surprised!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on January 8, 2013 at 6:47 PM

Way to go, Albert! Congrats for the award, and your expertise, but especially for your originality. Glad to see that the mods and Jim and Donna recognized the beauty of this unique composition.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on January 10, 2013 at 12:14 PM

Congratulations on your EP. It's very well deserved Albert.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Yun Gao on January 10, 2013 at 10:17 PM

Albert, many congratulations on the EPA 2012 Flora - 1st Place win! You have many wonderful images in your gallery. This is well deserved.

Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on January 15, 2013 at 9:01 PM

Albert,

I just saw this. Congratulations on this image and on the 1st place.

Beautiful work...

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments