Impression of a Dahlia

Gallery: EPA 2009Posted August 18, 20091,172 views35 comments

EPA 2009 - Second Honorable Mention - Flora Gallery

One of my favorite places to photograph Dahlias, is the Swan Island Dahlia farm in Canby, Oregon. Saturday morning offered the best conditions with light overcast sky and absolutely no wind. Plus, I had the place to myself most of the morning. This image was shot with a Canon 1Ds III and 85mm f/1.2. 1/200 sec @ f/1.2. The farm is open to the public through the Labor Day weekend when they'll have their annual Dahlia festival.

Comments and critiques appreciated.

Comments

35 comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on August 18, 2009 at 10:48 PM

Spectacular dahlia image David. Great comp and the dof that creates the sense of motion is superb as are the colors. Beautiful work.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Southard on August 18, 2009 at 10:52 PM

And a very nice impression it is. Great use of shallow DOF.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 258 Posts, 3892 Comments

Comment posted by Bernie Kasper on August 18, 2009 at 11:22 PM

Wonderful work I love the beautiful layers in this, great color as well !!

Registered on June 5, 2005, 251 Posts, 3734 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on August 19, 2009 at 1:26 AM

I love the DOF and the colors David. Very nice.

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Steven M Kahn on August 19, 2009 at 5:09 AM

The second Dahlia image I see posted here today and spectacular in a different way. I like the off center heart and the colors and softness which creates the muted shadows. Enjoy looking at the very selective dof from the wide open apeture selection which creates a very "dreamy" image.

Registered on July 20, 2009, 140 Posts, 1198 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on August 19, 2009 at 10:51 AM

Very impressive image, David ( that's not meant to be a play on words !! ). Love the vibrancy and dynamism of the petals and the soft lighting. If I have a nit it would be a wish to see just a touch more below the centre - but it's great as is.

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on August 19, 2009 at 12:43 PM

David: Man we are getting some fabulous dahlia shots lately and this one really looks great. I really like what your DOF choice produced. 2+ thumbs up! >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Tomas Turecek on August 19, 2009 at 2:11 PM

I really like your choice of composition and DOF that makes this shot unique. Those wonderful delicate colours are topping the overall feel. Excellent work!

Registered on August 14, 2009, 17 Posts, 200 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on August 19, 2009 at 2:49 PM

Gotta love that place. I cant believe you got no wind, that's pretty rare for the Dahlia farm. Evenings can be pretty nice out there too.

Well...I LOVE what you got going on here. The comp, dof, colors, softness...its gorgeous! Good to see an image from you!

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on August 19, 2009 at 10:40 PM

Hi David

A very creative Dahlia shot

The vibrant color and light expound drama and movement. Great work

Albert Darmo Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on August 20, 2009 at 3:53 PM

Beautiful effect and crafted so well.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on August 21, 2009 at 4:59 PM

Love your use of selective focus here.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on August 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM

I can't believe how much motion I sense in this image. Looks like an exploding world of color.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 22, 2009 at 12:05 AM

The off center comp works really well. Very nicely done all around.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on August 24, 2009 at 2:42 PM

A magnificent dahlia image David. Congratulations on the EP.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on August 24, 2009 at 8:00 PM

Congrats on your EP. Well deserved.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by David Bostock on August 24, 2009 at 8:11 PM

Wow, thanks for the comments and the honor.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 90 Posts, 2778 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on August 24, 2009 at 9:38 PM

Congratulations on the EP! Lovely presentation.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by David Cobb on August 25, 2009 at 12:59 AM

A beautiful image David and the softness is great. Congrats on the well deserved EP!

David M. Cobb

Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on August 25, 2009 at 6:01 AM

Alluring. Sensational. Congrats on a superb image and the EP, David.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on August 25, 2009 at 7:26 PM

this is sweet! I like it a lot. Well deserved choice of pick of the week.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 1, 2009 at 12:43 AM

Beautiful!!
Congrats on the EP!

Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on January 1, 2010 at 6:44 PM

Congratulations, David on the EPA 2009 2nd Honorable Mention. What a lovely photo and a well deserved honor

Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on January 1, 2010 at 10:28 PM

David,

Many congratulations on the 2009 selection. I'm going to stick with the first comment I made on this. (smile)

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 2, 2010 at 7:51 PM

This is a very well-conceived image, David. The focus is perfect for showing the flower at its best. Congrats on the EPA.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on January 2, 2010 at 10:12 PM

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on January 3, 2010 at 12:46 AM

Congratulations on the EPA pick for 2009! Beautiful image and well deserving of the honor.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 3, 2010 at 10:38 AM

Gorgeous colors and I love the effects. Congratulations on your EPA.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Rogers on January 3, 2010 at 2:32 PM

Hello David.

Congrats on the award.

Lovely colours and delicate feel to this well seen and taken.

Registered on January 16, 2007, 450 Posts, 995 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on January 3, 2010 at 6:57 PM

Congratulations David. Well deserved.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by beth summer on January 4, 2010 at 1:41 PM

Congrats, David, on the EPA 2009 pick.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 437 Posts, 5220 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on January 5, 2010 at 3:50 AM

Just marvelous and well deserving of an EPA. Congratulations, David!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on January 5, 2010 at 6:35 PM

Congratulations on the EPA. The amazing selective focus, with repeated circles of petal tips in rings, makes for a dynamic radial composition.