What Makes This Image Special?

Phyllis Baynes – Mammoth Rose Peony

A flower garden in full bloom is an irresistible target for most photographers with the vibrant colors and easy access usually only a few steps away from the front door. The challenge is to capture something that makes your photo unique and stand out from the other millions taken every year. Not an easy feat to accomplish.
Phyllis had just purchased a new Pentax K-5 16.3 megapixel camera and was anxious to put it through its paces. Her mother’s garden in Warrensville provided that opportunity. The above is the result. Does it pass the test of being “outstanding” compared to the usual? If so, what are the elements that make it so? The light is soft, with no harsh shadows or bright, washed out highlights. The saturation of the color is vibrant but natural without passing into that area where it looks forced. The use of an aperture of f/2.8 in combination with a focal length of 135mm provided a narrow depth of field for a soft transition from the sharp focus area to the background. And yes, the background, or “bokeh”, is perfect-dark and soft with nothing to detract from the main subject and yet it complements the vivid color of the peony. The hint of pink in the upper left corner and the soft green foliage appear natural and pleasing to the eye. As usual when all things come together like this, perhaps a little luck comes into play as the horizontal light green foliage provides a base to support the blossom. At least to this viewer’s eye, this image passes the test of being “outstanding”.