Pieris Peeping

[Arlen]

A close-up, near-abstract view of a Pierus bush; another of my limited-focus flowers and flora series. Believe it or not there is no flower here, nor are the colors hyped up in post. Except for some minor touch up, this is pretty much what it looked like through the lens.

As usual for this experimental series, thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.

[Rajan Parrikar]

I think it is lovely.

[francois]

Your experimental series are wonderful!
Please, keep on experimenting.

[Paulo Bizarro]

Another nice one. My comment is about the area of focus. To my eyes, the focus should perhaps run along the top concave curved edge of the plant.

I think it would increase the dynamics of the photo, a curved focused edge against the soft focus background.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

It is quite enchanting as it is. I look forward to more of these beautiful experiments.

[Bob_B]

+1. My first thought was that this would look so good on a big canvas print. Your experiments are working!

[sdwilsonsct]

Amazing colours. My negative thought is that a stronger composition would be nice, IMHO.

[polaris-14]

I completely agree with everyone else here. This is extremely pleasing and I think your experiment is a successful one. I think this is a very interesting interpretation of macro photography.

[spidermike]

I think the way you have framed the shot with the colour segments converging on the middle of the upper surface of the leaf is superb and the contrasts between the different tones really works.
On looking at the larger version I am less convinced by the effect of the bokeh on the upper leaf surface - to me it almost looks harsh against the soft tones of the background and in this respect I agree with Paulo's comment. Maybe its a case of stopping down for a slightly wider DOF - it may be one of those cases where as little as half a stop will do it; or maybe focus on the centre of the curl in the leaf as I see the outer edge of the curl is in focus but not the centre. Though I have to say a couple of times I have looked at it and it looks like camera shake.
 
But that is quite a few words about a relatively small part of the image. I think you have a really nice set coming out of this and I am looking forward to seeing more.

[Arlen]

Thanks to all of you for your continuing encouragement.

And the suggestions that several of you made are helpful. I liked this image, but felt that maybe it could be improved. Paulo, your suggestion that it might be better if the focus were on the upper curved edge of the center leaf has merit. I tried a variety of focus points while shooting, but with the several contributing elements stretching over varying distances, changing the focus status of one of them also changed the others, and I judged this one to be the best compromise. I can't now get the top of that leaf more in focus, but partially addressing what I think is spidermike's point about the somewhat harsh transition there, I can throw it a little more out of focus. So I tried that, as shown below, and I think it may be an improvement. Further thoughts?

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Works nicely for me.

[thierrylegros396]

Excellent test for printers 

Thierry