Only a seedling!

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:43 pm

Only a 2005 set seedling but a nice flower. Echinocereus chisoensis SB 955, plant body about 2 inches high so I think qualifies as a close up?.

And no I did not see that weed when I took the picture!

DaveW

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:20 am

Dave,

That is truly a beautiful flower! Great light as well.

I imagine cactus "people" want to see the entire plant as you have done here. Have you taken any "tighter" shots of just the flower (or a portion of the flower)? I think there are some other neat pictures in there to be taken.

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:53 am

No I will have to try Charles. So far it is a case of recording everything when they are in flower so I don't miss them.

As to lighting I usually take them in full sun as that is when the flowers tend to open fully. The obvious problem then is high contrast so I use one of those spring open "Lastolite" type diffusers held between the sun and plant (rather like the hoops dogs jump through at the circus) to reduce the contrast.

The problem also with small seedlings, unlike taller plants, is it is hard to cut out the pot and get the full flower in because you are often looking down into the flower.

The only abstract cactus flowers I have ever done was this one.

DaveW

dmillard · Post by **dmillard** » Thu May 22, 2008 6:09 pm

DaveW wrote:
The only abstract cactus flowers I have ever done was this one.

DaveW

Very appetizing - it looks like a bowl of sherbet!

Aynia · Post by **Aynia** » Fri May 23, 2008 12:59 am

You should definitely try and do more abstracts! It's lovely.

And on the subject of cactii, I've never had one that actually flowered! My sister generally has flowers.

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:49 am

Well I did this one too, but whether you would call it abstract I don't know? Certainly not as abstract as some of Charles recent images.

Most cacti like a cool and dry rest in winter Aynia and if they are kept growing don't flower so well. Of course it depends whether you are growing something that flowers small or needs to be about 8ft high before it starts flowering!

DaveW

Roy Patience · Post by **Roy Patience** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:19 pm

Dave,

This a very nice image. You have captured the delicate texture of the petals so well. The dark background and the diffuse lighting give it a "formal" appearance.

By the time I got around to posting a comment you managed to post even more great images. I like them all!

Roy

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:28 am

Great photos Dave. I love the way the cactus flowers have such contrasting colors for all the parts. They give the true meaning to blooming