This final image of my mini-series on unopened tulips is my favorite—I love the simple composition, the almost monochromatic palette (with the slightest touch of pink at the tip), and the sensual curves of the leaves.
It was almost six o’clock in the evening when I took this shot and the light was still pretty strong, but was starting to fade. I knew that I wanted to shoot some close-up shots of flowers, so I was using my 180mm macro lens. I probably should have been using my tripod for increased steadiness, especially because the lens does not have image stabilization (VR for Nikon folks), but I hadn’t brought a tripod with me.
As is often the case with my macro lens, I ended up focusing manually, trying to get as much of the tulip in focus as I could as I carefully composed the shot. The settings for this shot, for those who might be interested in such technical details, were ISO 400, f/8, and 1/50 second. The shutter speed is a bit slow, I’ll admit, but I was able to brace myself pretty well and I was trying to avoid increasing the ISO and introducing more noise.
If you haven’t seen the other images in this mini-series, Anticipation I and Anticipation II, be sure to check them out. Is there one that you like more than the others?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Not bad at all for hand held at a 50th of a second. I try not to go below 1/60th but sometimes it just isn’t possible.
I think that first tulip with a tongue of color is my favorite, but it’s nice to see any tulip at this point.
Thanks for your thoughts, Allen. We are a bit ahead of you in springtime flowers, though the driving rains that we had almost all day yesterday may have knocked the petals off of the ones already in bloom and taken the blossoms off of the flowering trees.
I think this one is my favorite, Mike. I love the details in the green petals covering the flower, and that faint touch of the pink flower. They all are gorgeous, though!
Simplicity has its own charm !
Beautiful , Mike !
utham
Beautiful image Mike 😀
Enjoyed this especially the same colour in the background usung aperture priority
It’s a beauty!