Octagon 8-15

An 8 petal bloom. I am asking for honest criticism about this, here is how I did this

I set out to capture an octagon for today’s August word prompt. I had my Helios lens on my IR converted Sony A37. I was looking for bokeh to surround the flower, the reason for using the Helios.
Focal distance from the flower of approximately 18 inches
ISO – 100
F 2.8
Shutter” 1/640
Bright sun @ 12:39pm

Edits: - Photoshop CS5
RAW converted DNG (necessary as my version of Photoshop is 9+ years old and doesn’t recognize my camera)
White balance adjusted for Infrared – temperature 2000 & tint -33
Blacks +41
Clarity +100 (this is a manual focus lens and often needs clarity tweaking in post)
All other RAW to DNG adjustments left alone

Channel mixed red to blue and blue to red 100% each
Auto Color
Silver efex Pro
Preset filter #36 – Antique Plate II
Silver efex Pro
Preset filter #20 – Fine Art Framed

I welcome all (positive or negative) comments and suggestions.

[Melvina McCaw]

Well I can only speak for myself I think it turned out beautifully!
You have been very creative with you editing and it has really paid off!

[Melvina McCaw]

Forgot to say Fav!

[Graeme Stevens]

An easy fav - great processing

[Annie D]

I really love it - the focus on the flower and little stalk and the rush of the background is very appealing

[Walks @ 7]

@bubblequeen You are so kind, most grateful for the fav. The lake was just packed today, I did find at least one area with only 4 groups.

@graemestevens Thank you so very much, the fav is greatly appreciated.

@annied Truly grateful, the focusing in the bright hot sun almost did me in but, IR really is a great deal of fun in the sun.

[Sharon Lee]

nice focus

[Hope D Jennings]

Oh! I love this in black and white

[Walks @ 7]

@sugarmuser Truly grateful for the fav, thank you so kindly

@mzzhope I was so happy to find an 8 petal bloom. My first octagon idea was a stop sign, how boring. Thank you so very much for the fav

[Yao RL]

Skillfully done.

[Marnie]

I very much like the shot Joy, the focus is great, love the b&w treatment too. Not too sure about this flower as an octogon though.

[haskar]

Great processing.

[Peter Dulis]

lovely monochrome

[Kate]

Nicely done.

[sarah]

I think it works well. The flower stands out well against the background....in a very pleasing way. Nice view on black too

[Hazel]

I admit that I cannot pretend to understand your (to me) sophisticated processing. So I do not really feel competent to give an opinion but maybe a little more contrast/tonal range? Probably best to ignore me!

[Walks @ 7]

@quietpurplehaze Never! I truly value everyone in this photographic community. We help each other all the time and I have learned so very much from just being apart.
@yaorenliu Thank you so much.
@golftragic Thank you so much, stretching the visual definition of 8 sided for sure but then again, we are in different times these days.
@haskar Thank you kindly.
@pdulis Thank you a great deal for the fav.
@k9photo Truly appreciate the fav, thank you so much.
@samae Thank you so very kindly.

[Granagringa]

Thank you for all the info!!!

[Marnie]

@joysabin Absolutely right!!

[Ann H. LeFevre]

It took me a moment to recognize where the octagon was, but all in all as a picture, that doesn't matter! It's a lovely black and white! Well worth the work you went through to accomplish the look you wanted.