Dahlia Abstract/re-post

Nice colors and light in this, Allen.  The couple of small areas with in-focus dew add interest as well.  As an abstract, if you rotated it 90 degrees to put the right side on the bottom, the reds would then act as a base and I don't think they'd feel as dominant that way.

Hi Allen, the thumbnail didn't do this justice - an interesting play of structure and colour.  I agree with Dennis' suggestion and would be tempted myself to just add a little more contrast into the region where the pink is in the center of the frame.

Fine first stab at doing dahlia abstracts, Allen. That would have been an interesting conference presentation. Dahlia abstracts are not easy but are beautiful when done well. Too bad former NPN'er and flora moderator Ram Pai is not still here so you could look at his gallery. He had some terrific dahlia (and tulip) abstracts. (FWIW - I have several in my gallery). Ram always recommended shooting with a shorter focal length. He used a 60mm macro. I've used longer focal lengths. Earlier this year, I did buy a 50 mm 1.4 Sigma art lens with the idea of doing more abstracts (using extension tubes for magnification), but I really haven't shot abstracts at all this year. Anyway, I look for  an interesting, nicely defined curving line (or lines) to use as a focal point amid the colors. Here, you have a very nice colors but I'd prefer the lines being more defined, or at least having one well defined line somewhere near the center where the most oof wash is instead found.  Just my very subjective take, and floral abstracts are a very subjective genre.          

Scott has said everything I wanted to say. I also like Dennis' suggestion.

I love this as is. The dark reds on the right keep your eye in the image. The softness, gorgeous colors and curves make this a winner for me.

I think this is beautiful and I love the colors, but I'd also try rotating it 90 degrees to the right. 

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.  Here's a re-post with the image rotated so the red is at the base. I also boosted the contrast a bit and it seems to give better definition to the lines.  Also, with the rotation I feel there is a greater sense of depth, which is something I wanted to achieve and something the conference speaker was aiming for in his images.

Allen: Brought back memories of Ram for sure. I like this as is but do prefer the repost. Well done.>=))>

A feast of beautiful colors in an abstract photo that reminds me of Ram. I too prefer the second version where the two red spots don't disturb me any more as they represent a solid base. Excellent work Allen.

Nice job on the repost. Big improvement. Beautiful abstract!

I like it just the way it is and I do like the beautiful colors and the use of a natural subject to paint light in a way only the lens and the photograph see and then share with us. This is a new technique for me and I enjoying the comments left for you. Learning something new and I do love photographing flowers. Great Image!