Happy 4th to all! Seems every now and then I dive into a floral outing, I never know or really plan it but sometimes the light and the flowers are just begging for it Anyhow, this is long lens floral photography, handheld on all from the 40D, Photoshop PP and the 'Chad Action' for final sharpening and sizing for the web.

I find the lillies most difficult to isolate and find good flowers that are not burdened with browning buds or petals, I hope enjoy the 'Floral Fireworks'

Your comments are most welcomed as well as quesions, suggetions or 'nits'

Thanks for the look.........
Karl


1 The backsides can be beautiful too..........like a pinwheel
2 Flowers and bees seem to go together, I liked the color tones on this one
3 Love the colors

4 Lovely pink rose
5 Stemmed pink
6 Tangerine dream

7 Solo performers
8...
9...

10 The end

Thanks!
Karl

You are inspiring me to give this a try my friend
These are absolutely beautiful Karl, you keep out doing yourself with each post. Is this your wifes garden Color and sharpness in these shots is remarkable starting with the first frame of the set. #3 WOW!! #9 WOW WOW!

Where's my 200 f/4.....honey are you done watering

Tom

Lovely set Karl,

my favorites are # 4, 5, 7, 8, & 9

Lovely set

Lil

Stunning captures Karl. My favourites are #1, #3, #4 and #5.


Jude

Stunningly beautiful. You made these ordinary flowers into a classic beauty.
Each flower has its own beauty and you have keen eyes to see it and know how
to pull its calm beauty at its best. #1,3,5,7,8 and 9 for me. But all of them are excellent. Thanks for sharing.

Hide

WoooW those are stunners buddy! btw that's coming from a floral hater
Seems like that Chad action is working well for ya.! haven't tried it yet..i'm affraid it will hack my pc and steal my credit card data
that's how he gets his $$$ for expensive gear and trips to Florida

Beautiful set Karl, #7 is my favorite i love the rich colors and details....nicely done

alan

Karl...

Really nice job on these! All at 500 too! How's your arms feeling pal?
I know what you mean about the lillies... mine just popped up in the last couple weeks and I've been shooting them a lot too. Have a nice, safe weekend!

Very nice color play, Karl !!!

P.L

Very nice set Karl. I especially like the comp in 2 and 4. My eyes flow naturally across the frame in both.
The perspective in 1 is unusual and nice.
I love the rose in 5, but the oof rose lower right makes my eyes wander a bit.
The simple compositions are all nice - I find comps harder for me the more elements I have to work with.
And oh yes, I have seen a few very beautiful backsides...
Ron

What are the "Chad Actions"?
Wonderful sharp, delightfully vivid images Karl!!!
Well done!
Dan

Beauties Karl. Rich colors, nice comps, good BGs, and sharop where they ought to be. Not much to nit, OOF foreground a bit light in #3, draws my eye away from the flower, minor cutoff of upper right primary flower in #10 which I love otherwise. A sweet "floral 4th."

Wonderful job Karl. Just had to take the 500mm into the garden? Certainly works for sharpness and great backgrounds. The daylilies all are beautiful but the #4 rose is the winner for me.

Rob

Great Job Karl,

#2 is my pick , love the tonal range and the bee just brings it all together and the 500mm does excellent,

Heath

The backsides can be beautiful too

500 Floral lens



Very nicely done Karl, I don't know how you do it. I look at them and think I should shoot them but nothing comes to mind like these comps. For that reason, no nits this time. Happy 4th.

Tim

Looking at these on my phone.
All I can say karl is ooh,ahhh.ooh,ahh....
Better than chicago's fireworks

Cheers,
Gene

I was counting my picks and then realized that I like all of them. The composition, details , colors and BG are top notch.
I have to say these are some of the best flower portraits I have seen.
Harsha

Lovely and colorful set my friend well done

Garen

Wow Karl ... outstanding detail and color !

I can see em and smell em !

Thanks for sharing,
Tom

Karl,

Great depth on all, color is rich.

You must be a "Flower Child."

Larry

Hey, Karl Nice to see some floral action from you. 4 is my favorite. Very lovely. The water droplets add a nice touch.

Jenna

Tom- Super sweet to hear that Tom, my wifes garden Had planned some birding in this Garden Park, danced in and out of sun and rain, found some shelter under a few trees then the colors came alive and I went for it! Thanks buddy

Lil- A kind thanks Lil, its fun to see and try to isolate the colors and move around to set up a nice BG on them. Usually a cluttered mess on the lillies but many had not bloomed yet, thanks for the numerous picks!

Jude- I appreciate your kind words and picks Jude, glad you enjoyed them!

Hide- These are the closest things I can think of to get colors to enjoy like you guys do on those hummers I guess I should call them hummers on a stick Your picks on these are appreciated!

Nello- Floral hater You gotta find your most manly side to do these buddy Thanks for the good words and yes the 'Chad' action works well for me and the credit card info it stole was no biggie for me, they are maxxed out anyhow

Glad everyone enjoyed these and thanks again..........
Karl