Pleasant Surprise

Gallery: FloraPosted May 11, 2015167 views9 comments

Sony A77

Sony 70-400G @ 160mm

ISO 200, 1/60 @ f8

Imagine my delight a few days ago when I noticed this BoP about to bloom. We have never had a BoP bloom in the Spring so I did a double take when I saw it hiding behind some leaves. It opened the first set of feathers yesterday and then the second this morning. For a color junkie such as myself I'm not sure any flower satisfies like these. Straight forward portrait with I hope some more creative comps to come. Had to do quite a bit of cloning/painting to get rid of annoying bright spots in the BG. All comments welcome. >=))>

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on May 11, 2015 at 10:00 PM

Bill - The bloom looks so very fresh. Work on the background sure helps here, specially when viewed in the large version. Agree with the color part. That shade of electric blue is very difficult to find in the plant kingdom.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on May 11, 2015 at 11:00 PM

Hi Bill crying Your extra effort was worth it blush The lines and vibrant color are fascinating to behold devil

Albert Darmo

Canada

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

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on May 11, 2015 at 11:07 PM

Spectacular definition, Bill, and the color rendition is as near perfect as I can conceive (which might suggest that we have very similar monitor calibrations?)

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 11, 2015 at 11:32 PM

Fabulous! I have enjoyed your pics of these in the past. Seeing this as a "straight-forward portrait" really helps define the plant for me. Keep 'em coming!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on May 11, 2015 at 11:34 PM

Wonderfully handled Bill! I love this portrait. Wonderful use of the leaves and nice work on the BG. You are right, the colors are awesome!

Nathan

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on May 12, 2015 at 6:22 AM

Spectacular subject, Bill. The "bird" is really showing its stuff in this porttrait. I like how this straight forward, unobtructed comp shows this beauty from tip to tip. Looking forward to more.

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

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on May 12, 2015 at 12:15 PM

Beautiful portrait of this colorful flower. Very nice!

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on May 12, 2015 at 12:37 PM

A splendid portrait of a beautiful specimen! Very sharp and with vivid pure colors. Bill the blue seems to have ultraviolet interferences with magenta spots; have you tried to get rid of them in editing? The blue is so beautiful ... I love this image.

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

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on May 14, 2015 at 10:50 AM

A strong portrait, Bill, rich in colour and nicely framed. I gather these often flower twice ove rthe summer in the sub-tropical temperatures of northern New Zealand - do you think this will ?

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