Calla Lily by seanoneill

Calla Lily

I bought this Calla Lily about a week ago, and it has given us flower after beautiful flower. I was planning to shoot it today and then saw @ozziehoffy had shot a beautiful Lily today and that made my mind up.

I fired off about 40 shots from different angles and when I looked at them all, I could have stopped at the first shot.

This shot breaks several rules, with no stem, lots of black and not exactly following the rule of thirds, but I'm not really worried on this occasion. I also wonder if it should be B+W, so I will put it up in my second album in B+W for tomorrow's shot. I'd love to know people's thoughts.

One of my favourite photographers of all time is the late Robert Mapplethorpe. His flowers are probably my favourite body of work from any photographer, and I recommend his Complete Flowers book when you have a spare £55-00 to spend on Amazon.

So, in a way this photo is my own tribute to Mapplethorpe. While I'm at it, R.I.P. Davy Jones, thanks for writing and performing songs that make me smile to this day, "I'm a believer", and I always will be.

I often go with my first shot! Funny how it works that way.

Rules are meant to be broken. Remember, it's all in YOUR eyes, not ours.
March 1st, 2012  
Kim
Very pretty!
March 1st, 2012  
Hmmm I like them both! Hard to choose one above the other, I think that our own moods can affect that. Right now, they're both very equal to me... great shot :)

@debsphotos Too true! Sometimes the broken rules shots make AMAZING shots :)
March 1st, 2012  
Also very beautiful!.....Dont think i can choose! Love them both!!
March 1st, 2012  
Strikingly pretty!! And Davy Jones was wonderful at making us all smile! RIP.
March 1st, 2012  
Fabulous image both in colour and B&W :D
March 1st, 2012  
Stunning in both formats! I think it comes down to personal preference - I tend to love color - although b & w is lovely too.... Have you decidd which you prefer?
March 1st, 2012  
@debsphotos Thanks Debs, you are right, wise words from you, as ever :)
@kdei Thanks, glad you like it.
@ozziehoffy Thanks Cassandra, you are right, my mood is similar, but I have chosen.....
@annbo Thanks Ann, your comments are always so perfect.
@rockinrobyn Thanks Robyn you are always so thoughtful in your comments, glad you agree about Davy Jones
@susieb Thanks Susie, that is very kind of you, as ever.
@jillmstruss Thanks Jill, though RM was predominantly a B+W photographer, I'm going to break another rule and go for the colour version, just because of the touches of green.
March 1st, 2012  
I do like the flash of yellow in this. Forget the rules and follow your instinct! Depending on the composition, I often like white flowers in sepia too.
March 1st, 2012  
@elsbels ooh, I shall try that. Thanks for the idea, and the feedback, which is very thoughtful of you.
March 1st, 2012  
The first word that popped into my head when I saw this was "Stylish!" It is. A stylish photograph. Love your composition and lighting.
March 1st, 2012  
@myautofocuslife Thank you so much Livia, what a lovely thing to say.
March 1st, 2012  
Without seeing the black & white I would go for colour - it's almost monotone anyway and the shot of yellow is really striking.
March 1st, 2012  
I like the strong contrast and the crop.
March 1st, 2012  
This is stunning.I'm going to try some flower shots this weekend,I think,though can't hope for anything half as good as this. I prefer the colour shot.
March 1st, 2012  
Fab close up. Great job :)
March 2nd, 2012  
This is a beauty.
March 2nd, 2012  


Nice job with the Calla. I have one of Mapplethorp flowers book - "Pistils". Great stuff. I also like Ron van Dongen. I put a link below. Worth going thru his portfolios for inspiration.
http://www.ronvandongen.com/portfolios.php
March 2nd, 2012  
I haven't looked over at the b&w yet, I have my max tabs open, but I love THIS one. The yellow is so soft and there's this little hint of bright silky green at the tip of the petal. It's so pretty.
March 2nd, 2012  
I prefer this one. I especially like the yellow. I think the black background brings out the white and yellow... beautiful shot.
March 2nd, 2012  
@pictureitbig @stiggle @lizzy_lu123 @sailingmusic Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your lovely comments @esolvideosuk Jennie, thank you, I really look forward to seeing some of your shots, there are many tips, but dof is the key!! @meisen325 Thank you Monica, I will definitely look through Ron's work and let you know what I think. @echoia Thank you Echoia, we are in tune, that is exactly the reasons that I prefer the colour version. @dmdfday Thanks Diane, I agree with you.
March 2nd, 2012  
Beautiful, very nice Sean
March 2nd, 2012  
@simon0128 Thanks Simon
March 2nd, 2012  
Hm, I like them both but each for different reasons. The pop of yellow is wonderful against the white in the colour version, but in the b&w more subtle details and shading come out. They are both beautifully done though -- rules, schmules! :)
March 2nd, 2012  
@reva Thanks so much Reva, I greatly appreciate your lovely comments.
March 2nd, 2012  
Veri nice...I like it....
March 2nd, 2012  
@cebelka Thank you Sanda, and thanks for following me :)
March 2nd, 2012  
stunning shot
March 2nd, 2012  
Very pretty... great focus!
March 2nd, 2012  
Congrats on this shot making the new faces page today!
March 2nd, 2012  
I have to say I like the color one better. But I am in a low mood tonight, so I am drawn toward the pop of cheerful yellow. I love lilies and I think this is wonderful! Rules are made to be broken :)
March 3rd, 2012  
@crisd @lisabelle Thanks guys. @esolvideosuk Thank you Jennie, I am thrilled to be on New Faces! @kchuk It is my preference Elyse, but overall my B+W in the main album yesterday is my favourite.
March 3rd, 2012  
Great Shot love the black and white...just beautiful...its funny i seem to go back to my first shot also...what a waste of didgital..Lol ...
March 3rd, 2012  
@ellimae Thank you so much Ellen, too true!!
March 3rd, 2012  
Great capture in color and in b&w too
March 4th, 2012  
You have some really lovely shots here!
March 9th, 2012  
@noragentian @sgoodin1 Thank you both so much. Sara, you ar every kind. 365 has pushed me and inspired me to become better. I think it is working!!
March 9th, 2012  
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