Post #11 - "A Magnolia Gift of Spring" - rajguptaphotography.com Date: June 2014 Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN Camera Settings: Panasonic GX7, Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8, 33 mm (66 mm at 35 mm equivalent), f/2.8, 1/800 sec, ISO 200 Spring time in the South is often symbolized by the blooming of the fragrant and beautiful Magnolia trees. These large white blooms open up to reveal a small treasure inside with delicate filaments that quickly fall on the petals and then onto the floor. Macro photography or close-up photography allows the photographer to share a point of view to the world that most people don't stop to look at. Although this isn't a true macro photography, this close view of the open petals of a magnolia flower was intended to show this inside world and especially focus on the details. Compositionally, I wanted the flower petals to draw the eye from the front fallen stamens into the top middle of the picture where the central pistil of the flower sits. The bright white was enhanced in post to give it an appropriate white-ness and bright-ness without losing the fine details of the petals. I added extra sharpening to the center pistil to really make that standout. Finished off with a subtle vignette to draw the eye to the middle. https://www.facebook.com/rajguptaphotography/