Flower 8-1-2012

Mid-summer garden walks always turn up great macro subjects when ornamental shrubs reach peak bloom. I caught these vibrant crepe myrtle flowers opening under soft morning overcast, which diffused the harsh direct sun and preserved every subtle fold in the petals. Working at this magnification required dialing in a narrow focal plane to keep the central cluster sharp against the breeze.

The composition highlights the dense, crinkled texture of the ruffled pink petals radiating outward from tight green flower buds. Soft emerald tones in the blurred garden background provide rich organic contrast, while the delicate yellow stamens at the heart of the blossoms add warm focal points across the frame.