Kaffir Lily and Coathangers

[aim54x]

I finally managed to capture a few snaps of some kaffir lily that are somewhat reminiscent of one of my favourite photos that I lost in a reformat mishap last year.

The original image (this web reso image is all i have left)


The capture from this weekend.


I also managed to wring something out of Saturday's mediocre sunset...

[surenj]

The kaffir image is very nice indeed. I see why you like it. You have done a great job of replicating it as well. It would be a great exercise EXACTLY replicating the first with just flash...  BTW #4 looks like the colors are all mangled with some HDResque process.

[aim54x]

i actually shoot these lilies in situ with available light and i am pretty sure that the botanic gardens wouldnt want me taking some of their lilies home to set up with flashes, but it would probably make the process easier.

that last one is a hdr. i'll admit that its not the best and the horizon is a bit off as well

[surenj]

that last one is a hdr.

Now I know what that area of light is. I think it's flare that's been amplified in the HDR process. I always remove flare before any HDR.
The shot without HDR is quite a bit more pleasing I reckon. The sun burst etc adds to the whole scene. BTW I reckon that sunset is not all that bad. I've seen much much worse . I am surprised you didn't get any bright reds on those white clouds about 1/2hour after the sunset.