I have fallen into an obsession of shooting flowers this spring. I find myself getting in close, but not so close that you lose perspective. And I crank the length of exposure way up. If I can catch the light just right, the long exposure gives them a glow that just can’t be beat. This spider mum was shot up against a black foam board, and is actually a “color” image. I added a gradient map in photoshop, set to multiply, to get the dramatic shadows.
Fortunately, there is a place for us to go, we who suffer from a flower obsession. The Wooden Cow Gallery in Albuquerque will be opening their exhibit – “Flower Power” – on June 2nd. Be sure to stop by to see amazing flowers in all media at this highly regarded and award winning gallery. See you at the opening on June 4th – 3 of my images (including the poppy above) have been selected for this juried exhibit!
nancy newell photography 
your flower shots are simply stunning…. awesome job!