Queen of the Night: Queen of the Night is a variety of dark tulip that I'm finding particularly appealing at the moment. When the conditions are just right I'm in the back garden...

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Queen of the Night is a variety of dark tulip that I'm finding particularly appealing at the moment. When the conditions are just right I'm in the back garden trying to improve my images of these flowers. I've loosely tied two other tulips (white) out of the way and hung a deep grey fabric backdrop on the fence behind.

I'm aware that I need to increase my depth of field but I seem to have a bit of bother getting the detail I see with my eye into the image. The flower is actually a little more black than shown here but I'm losing a lot in the shadow and wonder what I can do to alleviate this. I've tried flash and non flash, AWB and Sunny, but would appreciate any advice from more experienced flower snappers than me on the presentation of the flower and also different backdrops.

Please, no suggestions advising to cut it down and move it. Mrs. N. likes it where it is (and so do I).

I'm using a CANON 60D with a Sigma 105mm macro lens and, when used, the on board flash.

(Download)

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I've never seen a flower so cherry colored and am intrigued by it's beauty and detail. Thank you for sharing! S-

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I pm'd a couple of flower photo expert buddies to see if they have shooting suggestions. In the meantime, I find the deep shadows quite complementary to the curves and the rich color is lovely.

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

Used to grow them yrs. ago, thanks for reminder of them. Your color
is perfect. Black if not in harsh direct light, color as shown when light
direct or very bright. Accurate as shown for illustration in garden
catalog, and a nice shot otherwise as well. DOF perfect for showing one
flr w/stem OOF. Y'can't improve on perfection can you?

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

I think the shot and your presentation is beautiful. Another possibility is to try another shoot when the flower is fully open, focus on the inside of the bloom leaving the petals as a soft frame for the stamens if that makes sense. Try f/8 and move in close. A black background would be lovely for this effect so the petals can blend with the background.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Thank-you all for your comments.
I'd be interested to hear what your buddies have to say, Linda.
You're probably right Jenny, the light is right behind me at this time of day.
It seems the flower needs a lot longer period of continuous sunlight to open, possibly a bit warmer as well. Pollen has been collected and a dusting of it can be seen when petals open for a short while.
Dixiegirl, the backdrop is the end of a 2m bolt of an almost gunmetal coloured satin (shiny side facing) and just catching a light breeze, which I think contributes to the rosy colour. It's more like that colour in top left when not catching the sun full on. Messy bit in lower right is where I badly folded it.

I'll work on the aperture and focusing on different sections of the head to try and achieve a full focus flower with the stem drifting out O.O.F.

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

John, I would never have remembered the exact name of that particular tulip if just seeing it. For me,it was so many
yrs. ago. Bought it from what was and may still be the biggest most popular garden catalog distributed in U.S.A. Yes, it
is a taller and later type than the little red ones. Sold that house and moved on, and to a soft pink also later big type
because lighter colors can be seen better late/early day and garden was a lot of work. White flrs. show up under street
lights and were most rewarding from that point of view, laf! Finally pgraphy took over my life so enjoy other folk's flrs.
Good going if you have time for both!

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

John N wrote:

Queen of the Night is a variety of dark tulip that... (show quote)

I read the comments and don't have anything to add that could help you out with the color. I really like the presentation. The background is very nice and the flower is sharp. The only thing that distracts me at all is the pollen spots that you mentioned. I think it would look better without them; but it might be a real pain to remove them successfully. Also, since flowers are quite delicate, blowing the pollen off the flower for a re-shoot might not be an option. I commend your efforts and the flower is really pretty.
Erich

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

Please don't change anything John, color perfect, recognized it immediately, I never picked them either,ha

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Once again I'm going to say, "don't muck around with perfection". You could try for a different look, but I doubt that it will be any better.

rborud Loc: Minnesota

John N wrote:

Queen of the Night is a variety of dark tulip that... (show quote)

John
I find your questions quite interesting and very valid. But I also read all the comments of people,and most seemed find it fine and suggesed to quit while your ahead. I did a great deal of work on your image until it better satisfieyed my eye based on what you said. I am reluctant to post what I did for fear of a deluge of derision from the most pure of the group. If you are happy with all the very good advise I will say no more and go away, Thanks RBorud

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

rborud wrote:

John
I find your questions quite interesting and very valid. But I also read all the comments of people,and most seemed find it fine and suggesed to quit while your ahead. I did a great deal of work on your image until it better satisfieyed my eye based on what you said. I am reluctant to post what I did for fear of a deluge of derision from the most pure of the group. If you are happy with all the very good advise I will say no more and go away, Thanks RBorud

It would be good to see how you dealt with the shadows. I hope that John agrees to your posting, so that other members could benefit.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Too many people like it just as it is so I'm leaving this well alone. But we've several of these bulbs at different stages of development and a cold spell next week. Maybe I'll get the chance to shoot another of them and see how that goes.

Once again, thanks all.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Wow... such color contrast... opposing sides of the color wheel... stricking

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

dpullum wrote:

Wow... such color contrast... opposing sides of the color wheel... stricking

* * * *
Yes Dpullum, and y'know there isn't much that really seems to be black except tar and
obsidian,and even those things will reflect. It isn't going to get black for anything botanical
unless it rots,ha. Even dry red grapes only turn into raisins.There's gotta be "color' in there,
or color as we know it, will appear with direct light or hide if low level soft. (I hope John never
converts it to b&w, the limits of photography for this beauty would be so sad.)