Late Christmas Cactus

[dlanter]

In the mood to shoot something and my houseplants once again sufficed as subjects. This plant always has 2 blooms next to each other so it is almost impossible to isolate a single bloom without the second one in the background. The dark area at the top of the background was my backdrop drooping causing a shadow and I didn't realize it until after I downloaded the shots.

30D, Sigma 105mm, tripod, cable release, daylight fluorescent lights with white foamcore under the bloom. ISO 100, f11, 1/2 sec.



For our other gardeners or flower lovers: I have 4 Christmas Cactus'. The traditional red one blooms from late Nov. to early Jan and again around June. A yellow one that only blooms for about 2 weeks around Thanksgiving. This Fuchsia version usually only through Jan.

The 4th plant is an experiment. I have grafted limbs from a yellow plant onto a red one. I have had 1 yellow bloom so far among the red ones. I'm hoping that in a couple of years I might get some kind of mixed color, possibly orange-ish.

[jfoureyes]

This one is a beauty Dan and I think the BG looks great!

[preames]

That is a beautiful shot! I'm with Jim, I like the background - it adds depth to the image.

[Tim T]

Beautiful shot Dan. Agree with the backgound which helps to give it some texture.

[David Alaniz]

Gorgeous, you nailed it great job. And I like the background.

[dlanter]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

[Stargazer77517]

Dang Dan...Im speechless, that is beautiful. Love the colors and the way they work together.

[DigitalScape]

You nailed it Dan.

[dlanter]

Thank you Fred & John

[bburton]

Just a gorgeous photo. Very, very nice.

[TwoKatz]

That is an awsome photo...

[Linda Bingham]

Love the contrast between the flower and the background. Nice Job!

[spluloacle]

It almost looks like a painting the way the colors are.

[Kenj8246]

Wonderful shot, Dan. Excellent detail, almost looks like a focus stack.

[dlanter]

Thank you everyone. My original intent was to shoot it opened up more to put the rear bloom a little more out of focus. I tried it at f5.6 and then f8 but I didn't like the results, too much of the front blooms petals wasn't quite sharp enough so f11 seemed the best fit. I did consider doing a multiple shot focus stack but wanted to keep it simple this time.

Composition was a little bit of challenge also. Like I said, the 2 blooms are right next to each other with the petals almost touching. I needed to keep the camera horizontal with the front bloom but if I shot it straight on the rear one would only have partial petals showing. Not sure how it would turn out, I finally set up below the bloom shooting slightly upward.

The background is a terry cloth type of fabric from my wifes sewing room (don't tell her) stretched between 2 stools. I wanted a slight gradient color variation from top to bottom so I pulled the bottom edge toward the shot a little to cause a difference in the light from top to bottom.

I think I've learned a lot from all of you the last few years and if I take to time to stop and think about the shot before hitting the trigger I can occasionally get one to come out the way I envision it. Thanks for all your encouragement & great comments.