Inspiring Photo: Morning Beauty #4393516

Morning Beauty

Uploaded: August 11, 2007 11:48:28

Description

EF100, f/2.8, 1/3200th Second, -2/3ev, ISO100, RAW, tripod
My thanks go out to an unknown photographer roaming Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens;
only after I shot several images of this misted lotus, feeling so lucky to find dew remaining in the heat,
did I notice a woman across the lily ponds with a large spray bottle of water hooked on her belt.
9/07 Winner, Flowers

Comments

Jennifer L. Alder August 11, 2007 0

WOW!!! Chris, this is GORGEOUS! Wonderful light, detail, color and angle--love it! :) #711634

Joy Rector August 11, 2007 0

spectacular #4631939

Dolly L. Davis August 11, 2007 0

Excellent capture, Christopher! Stunning! Love it! #4631941

Dominick M. Dimacale August 11, 2007 0

This is lovely Christopher, love thise tiny details...Dominick #4631942

Holly Shao August 11, 2007 0

Excellent capture and looks so beautiful, Chris!! Love the lighting, details, and composition!

Holly #4631980

Dr Silly August 11, 2007 0

Beautiful, Chris. :O)
#4631988

Les Rhoades August 11, 2007 0

Are you trying to lock up all the awards befroe I get my new lens! This is one of your best seen to date. big WOW factor! #4632099

Susie Peek-Swint August 11, 2007 0

Simply stunning Chris ~ I sometimes remember to take along a spray bottle but not often needed over here ~ lol! #4632668

Sherry L. Davis August 12, 2007 0

Terrific capture, Christopher! WOW! I love it! #4634614

Mary N C. Taitt August 12, 2007 0

WOW! How terrific! These last few have been AMAZING! love the color and clarity.

Funny comment about Dr. S's negative space one, too, LOL! #4634724

Jillian Danielson August 12, 2007 0

Chris,, this is just awesome!!! Great color!! #4635230

Nikki McDonald August 12, 2007 0

Oh, Chris, no wonder you're so excited. This is exquisite. I absolutely love the depth of field here with the crystal clear jewelled center petals rising from the golden glow and cradled in the rosy softness. You might want to hold a few of these back for September instead of competing so fiercely against yourself :) #4635736

Chris Budny August 12, 2007 0

Thank you all so much!
Les, I can only hope I'm locking up a few ;)
Nikki, I may be looking at some resubmits in late September, perhaps! #4635854

Mick Burkey August 12, 2007 0

Fantastic work, Chris! Love the colors and detail. You're doing some great close-up work with the flowers, my friend! #4638129

Ronald F. Fischer August 13, 2007 0

Beautiful capture! #4638477

Chris Budny August 13, 2007 0

Thank you both, guys! #4638570

Sylvia Rossler August 16, 2007 0

Loll...your story reminds me of my spider-web-chasing-days, I used to carry around a spraybottle too in case I find a beautiful web :O)
Love the lighting of your superb close up Chris !! #4657505

Chris Budny August 16, 2007 0

Thanks so much, Sylvia. I must remember that, for when I go out on flower/nature shoots again! #4657646

Donna La Mattino Pagakis August 25, 2007 0

This really is beautiful Christopher!! #4694698

Chris Budny August 25, 2007 0

Thank you, Donna! #4695340

Michelle L. Frick September 01, 2007 0

Beautiful Christopher, and definitely worth a second look! Gorgeous light and details! #4733184

Julie Pflug September 02, 2007 0

Wow Christopher... incredibly beautiful! Color, clarity, lighting, crop... it's perfect! #4734105

Sam Britt September 02, 2007 0

Excellent color, lighting & detail, Christopher. Beautiful image. #4734137

Chris Budny September 02, 2007 0

I really appreciate it, Michelle, Julie & Sam! Fingers crossed for this resubmit! #4735570

Nikki McDonald September 06, 2007 0

So very pleased to see the EP on this resub, Chris. Totally an oversight the first time around and I expect it to go all the way. Would love to see it bring in the gold for you. Your faith in this beauty is an inspiration for me. #4754207

Chris Budny September 06, 2007 0

I'm happy, too, Nikki! I'm a firm believer in resubmitting an image you feel strongly about! #4754543

Kara L. Hendricks September 09, 2007 0

Woohoo... I am thrilled to see an EFP on this one Chris!! Hope it goes REAL gold...:) #4769130

Chris Budny September 10, 2007 0

;) You and me both!! Thanks! #4771037

Nikki McDonald October 25, 2007 0

Way to go, Chris!! Congratulations on this absolutely stunning finalist. Here's hoping for more . . . #4974440

Susan M. Hembree October 25, 2007 0

Fantastic, Chris! Congratulations! #4974987

Michelle L. Frick October 25, 2007 0

Congratulations Chris! More evidence that resubbing works!! #4975033

Pat Gamwell October 25, 2007 0

Well deserved Finalist, Chris! CONGRATS! #4975432

Les Rhoades October 25, 2007 0

OMG!! 101 is taking all the prizes in the flower category.
Congratulations on your flower finalist. From our group, I think we have 6+ flowers in the finals. Good Luck...I aspire to win! LOL

#4976487

Katarina Mansson October 25, 2007 0

That morning in the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens really paid off - another congrats on a beautiful finalist Chris! #4976848

Carla Metzler October 25, 2007 0

Congratulations on your finalist, Chris!
Gorgeous image! #4978574

Colleen Farrell October 25, 2007 0

Fabulous, Chris! Congratulations on your finalist! #4979295

Susan Fox October 26, 2007 0

How could I not have commented on this yet??? The detail is exquisite! I hope it moves on to the next round. Congrats Chris! #4982301

Joy L. Barber October 26, 2007 0

gorgeous....love the color, comp and the droplets #4982795

Patricia (Pat) C. Exum October 26, 2007 0

Chris,

Congratualations on the finalist!

Beautiful deep pink color. Good luck in the next go round.

Pat #4984108

Gail Vitikacs October 26, 2007 0

Beautiful! Congratulations! #4986529

John Caruso October 26, 2007 0

Rock on Chris! Here's to your big first place win! #4986670

Nikki McDonald October 26, 2007 0

I am sooo pleased to see this, Chris. What an honor! Love it. Congratulations for your first place win! #4986685

Sharon Day October 26, 2007 0

Big congratulations, Chris!!! WTG on placing 1st!!! Gorgeous image too! #4986741

Diane Davis October 26, 2007 0

Congratulations Chris!! It really is a beauty! #4986773

Susan M. Hembree October 26, 2007 0

Alright, Chris! Congratulations on your beautiful 1st Place! #4986776

Michelle L. Frick October 26, 2007 0

Congratulations Chris!!! Way to go!! #4986867

Cesar J. La Rosa October 26, 2007 0

Big Congratulations, Chris, on this WONDERFUL Winner!!! A very well-deserved recognition.
Cesar #4987007

Cyn Valentine October 26, 2007 0

Beautiful Chris..congratulations on your win!! #4987014

Gail Vitikacs October 26, 2007 0

TERRIFIC CHRIS!!! Way to go! #4987039

Carla Metzler October 26, 2007 0

Congratulations on your win, Chris! #4987110

Bob Cournoyer October 26, 2007 0

Congratulations, Chris, on your winner!!!

Bob #4987330

Crystal L. Craig October 26, 2007 0

Fabulous image Christopher! And a huge congratulations for this well deserved win! #4987528

Susan Fox October 26, 2007 0

Well it's about time you got another win :-)

The image is spectacular, stunning,
stupendous....

Congratulations Chris!!!! A well deserved 1st place win! #4987622

Mick Burkey October 27, 2007 0

WAY TO GO!!!

I am so glad this image won 1st Place. Congratulations, my friend, on a wonderful, well-deserved win. And here's to many more. #4987816

Chris Budny October 27, 2007 0

You all know how to make a guy smile from ear to ear! I just got home tonite, from a week on the road to find this staggering surprise! I'm still in a state of stunned giddiness at this win; I'm just thrilled that it made it!
Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement, going back to the first entry (August--no luck!)
And my thanks again to folks at the Gaithersburg Camera Club (Pat, Don, Tom) for telling me about Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in the first place. And last, but not least, that anonymous photographer who sprayed this lotus with her water bottle, minutes before I arrived! ;) #4987919

Donna La Mattino Pagakis October 27, 2007 0

Very nice winning image Chris, a huge congratulations!!! #4988030

Colleen Farrell October 27, 2007 0

Way to go, Chris! Big congratulations on your First Place Win!!! #4988232

eileen bedford October 27, 2007 0

Congratulations on your win Chris... #4988254

Nadya Johnson October 27, 2007 0

OUTSTANDING Christopher, in all respects! Congratulations on your stunning First Place Winner! #4988615

Les Rhoades October 27, 2007 0

Congrats on the BIG WIN! I knew tis was going to get GOLD.....in a very large way! #4988954

Katarina Mansson October 27, 2007 0

Chris - big, big, BIG congrats on this first place win!!! #4989225

Wally Orlowsky October 27, 2007 0

Congratulations on this well-deserved First-Place win, Chris! #4989581

Holly Shao October 27, 2007 0

Congratulations on your win, Chris!! Great image!

Holly #4989659

Donna W. Neal October 27, 2007 0

Amazing, love it Chris. That was me out at Kennlworth...:) No not really but I did get out there this year

Congratulations on a well deserved Winner #4989777

RC Fritz October 27, 2007 0

Wonderful, lighting and detail, Christopher. Congratulations! #4990321

Nancy (Peaches) Harker October 27, 2007 0

Beautiful, BIG Congrats Chris! #4990495

Lorri Shane October 27, 2007 0

The detail, color, comp and perfect repetition of dew on this flower makes it a winner. Nice job, Chris, and CONGRATULATIONS on your 1st place win. #4990646

Cary Rogers October 27, 2007 0

Big CONGRATS Chris!!! Gorgeous image! #4990959

Claudia Kuhn October 27, 2007 0

Simply gorgeous Chris, big congrats on your first place win!! #4991068

Michael S. Swaffar October 27, 2007 0

I'm so proud of you! I knew this was gold. Huge congratulations to you buddy. #4991635

Chris Budny October 28, 2007 0

Thank you all so much, for taking a look at this, and the warm congratulations! I am still (yes, still) beaming today; when I worked at the cathedral today, I had to share the news with everyone there... So the excitement hasn't worn off, which is so nice! Thanks again! #4992450

Sylvia Rossler October 28, 2007 0

You can be really proud of this beautiful shot and well deserved winner Chris !! Big Big congrats :O) #4994856

Lynn Haack October 28, 2007 0

WOW...what a beautiful, pristine floral. A BIG CONGRATS to you, christopher, for this well-deserved first place WINNER!! WTG!!! Lynn #4995936

Chris Budny October 29, 2007 0

Thank you both, Sylvia & Lynn! #4996756

October 29, 2007 0

Congratulations, Christopher.
It is beautiful, definitely deserving to be a winner. #4997032

Roger Fry October 29, 2007 0

Just amazing Christopher !

Roger #4997065

Anna Diederich October 29, 2007 0

Congratulations on your beautiful first place win, Christopher! #4997995

Jenny Bosmans October 29, 2007 0

Congratulations on this super winner, Chris! :) #4998430

Chris Budny October 29, 2007 0

Many thanks, Jenny, Anna, Roger & Rebecca! I'm honored to have won, in a category of so many beautiful images! #4998815

Don Johnson October 29, 2007 0

A first place! A first place! Way to go Chris. A beautiful, beautiful photo! #4998932

Chris Budny October 29, 2007 0

Thanks, Don! You know first hand how excited I am right now!! :) #4999055

Robert Baer October 29, 2007 0

Chris
CONGRATULATIONS for your first prize win. That is a huge honor for a wonderful well-deserving image. You have come a long way from the National Cathedral in subject. #4999872

Datha Y. Thompson October 29, 2007 0

WOW!! BIG Congrats to you on your First Place Win Chris!!! Gorgeous work!!! :0) #5000827

Lisa J. Boulden October 30, 2007 0

Congratulations on this beautiful, well-deserved 1st Place WINNER!
--Lisa #5001987

abdullah S. Al-zaid October 30, 2007 0

Beautiful photo, Congratulations Christopher !! #5002659

Chris Budny October 30, 2007 0

I really appreciate it, Justin, Datha, Lisa & Abdullah; thanks so much! #5003841

Dr Silly October 30, 2007 0

I'm a little slow this month, but congratulations on your Gold Chris. :O)
#5005723

Chris Budny October 31, 2007 0

Thanks so much, Doc! #5008579

Carol Teal November 02, 2007 0

Chris, I am behind too! Congrats on your wonderful first place win!! #5016858

Corinne M. Thompson November 03, 2007 0

BIG congrats to you for this one Chris! #5021502

Chris Budny November 04, 2007 0

Thank you both, Carol & Corinne, very much! #5024354

AMALIA Veralli November 05, 2007 0

Awesome image. Congrats on your win! #5029263

Chris Budny November 05, 2007 0

Thank you, Amalia #5029668

Nikki McDonald August 19, 2008 0

This is one of my favorite of your photos and a special win for you so I thought it was a good place to wish you a very happy birthday, Chris. #6331540

Susie Peek-Swint August 19, 2008 0

This is indeed a beautiful capture Chris ~ and the perfect place to wish you a very happy birthday ~ have a great day in the big apple! #6331621

Bob Cournoyer August 19, 2008 0

Happy Birthday, Chris.... :-) #6332067

Chris Budny August 19, 2008 0

Thanks, folks, for the birthday wishes! #6334112

Shelly A. Van Camp September 24, 2008 0

Beautiful! #6501794

Chris Budny September 27, 2008 0

Thank you Shelly, for taking a look! #6520986

Gina Cormier January 04, 2009 0

I love this image!! I am new and now trying my hand at macro. Not having alot of luck I wondered if you had any tips since you are the big winner!!! Thanks!!! #6980642

Chris Budny January 08, 2009 0

Thanks so much Gina! As for shooting macros, my 2 bits of primary advice are, 1) get a dedicated macro lens if possible (I *love* the Canon 100mm, which I used on this image---it is my all-time favorite lens, worth every penny, and I shoot a lot of non-macro with it as well) and 2) always use a solid tripod (and a remote shutter release if possible, or the timer) to minimize camera shake from your finger on the trigger.
Macro is great territory to explore, and I love experimenting with shallow depth of field.
Happy shooting! #6997949

Leslie Carson Wolfe April 17, 2009 0

Exquisite! Congratulations! Do you think the Canon EF-S 75-300mm would be able to capture details as sharp as the 100? This is incredible. #7412756

Chris Budny April 17, 2009 0

Many thanks, Leslie. The 100mm macro is a remarkable Canon lens, my all-time favorite so far. I've not used the lens you ask about, so I'm afraid I can't offer an opinion about it. I have one EF-S lens, and I've generally been pretty happy with it. I also have a 70-300, and that is actually my least-favorite lens, though I've never tried it for this kind of shooting. Whatever lens you use, for this kind of closeup/detail, I'd definitely recommend a tripod, and your camera timer or remote-control shutter release. #7414255

Leslie McLain November 28, 2009 0

Congrats on your beautiful winner Chris. #8175053

Chris Budny November 29, 2009 0

Thanks so much, Leslie! #8176146

Bunny Snow April 19, 2010 0

Wow, a real gold first place win and will deserved. This is wire sharp, beautiful clarity, exquisite color and tonality, wonderful composition and it has dew droplets to boot. This is one of my all time favorites, and well deserved. It is inspiring! #8546038

Chris Budny April 19, 2010 0

Well thank you very much, Bunny! This one enjoys "pride of place" in my home; a large print of it is the only one of my photos which hangs in my living room. It is probably my all-tiime favorite image shot with my 100mm lens, too... that lens is always tack sharp! #8547295

Kara L. Hendricks May 03, 2010 0

I have always loved this one Chris... And to think... I own this camera now!!...:)))

This is with the 100mm? I still have a bit of trouble reading all the stats up there..:) #8584871

Chris Budny May 03, 2010 0

Weird, right?! I'm so glad you have the camera now, and I hope it brings you continued gold!
Yes, this was a shot with the 100mm:
EF100 (the lens)
f/2.8 (the aperture I used---the lowest f-stop the lens can do, which reduces depth of field and blurs the background more. The closer to your subject, the more the background blurs.)
1/3200th Second (the shutter speed---I probably shot this in Av mode, which is pretty much the shooting mode I live in!)
-2/3ev (the exposure compensation value, since it was a bright day, I dialed it down almost a full stop)
ISO100 (I shoot 100 whenever possible, and typically always when out in daylight, for the least noise possible... I never liked the noise on the Rebel above ISO400)
RAW (well, of course!!!)
tripod (at 1/3200th, I probably could have done hand-held just fine---but I'm addicted to tripod shooting, and stability is always good.) #8585096

Julianne Bradford June 19, 2010 0

Exquisite Christopher :-) Congratulations on your well deserved Gold. #8704015

Chris Budny June 19, 2010 0

Thank you Julianne! #8704350

Susan Jane Allen August 13, 2010 0

Just noticed this for the first time! Congrats! It's really something to be proud of! #8824074

Chris Budny August 13, 2010 0

Thanks, Susan... one of my all-time favorites, and the only image I have on display in my living room ;) #8824881

Merna L. Nobile January 17, 2011 0

CONGRATULATIONS, MERNA #9168250

Martin J. Wells April 29, 2011 0

Beautiful Chris, the adwards kkep coming your way and deservedly so. Well done mate. #9379457

Alex T. Mizuno October 29, 2011 0

Clarity and the color are both striking! Excellent macro shot Chris. Congratulations on your win!! #9769804

Chris Budny October 29, 2011 0

Thank you Alex, and I see I missed Merna & Martin--thanks as well! #9770064

Usman M. Bajwa May 25, 2012 0

Belated CONGRATZ on this wonderful First Place Winner, Chris.

UB. #10149240

Chris Budny May 25, 2012 0

Thanks so much, Usman! #10149359

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