I suppose we'll continue the macro flower shots

I shared another shot of quince blossoms from last spring. This year, I used my new flash and 100mm f/2.8L macro lens to get in a lot closer to blossoms.

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, 1/100 sec at f/11. Canon Speedlight 580EX II flash in auto mode. Image Stabilization on. ISO 200. RAW processing in Adobe Camera Raw.

Why This Photo: More macro and new flash work.

What Works: The tack sharp focus on the pollen covered stamens is a nice balance with the blurred foreground and background produced by the fairly shallow depth of field. Also, having the in-focus blossom off-centered in the shot is appealing. The entire shot being filled with blossoms prevents there being distracting elements in the frame.

What Doesn't Work: The in-focus blossom breaks the edge of the frame, and ideally should have been kept within the frame. Additionally, the bottom edge of the frame is somewhat darker than the rest - perhaps due to a slightly mis-aimed flash.

I really like bright orange color that pervades this entire shot. On top of that, the very close look at a small flower that could easily be overlooked provides a nice illustration of a tiny pattern in nature.

What do you think?

- Bill