Daffodil 8-21-2013

I framed this single yellow daffodil while shooting directly into a bright afternoon sun, aiming to catch the natural lens flare across the flower. Positioning the corona just beneath the solar flare helped balance the harsh rim lighting with a soft golden glow wrapping cleanly around the petals without overpowering the details.

The image emphasizes the deep yellow trumpet cup and flare-lit perianth set against a deeply shaded green garden backdrop. Soft atmospheric backlighting catches the fine textures on the edges of the bloom, while smooth optical bokeh melts away distracting background foliage to create an intimate, warm botanical portrait.