Dogwood folklore has it, this is the tree that the cross was made out of, the four peddles have the blood stains on the end of them, and the middle holds the crown, these grow wild here in Arkansas, fact or fiction, they are beautiful trees.
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Dogwoods are a favorite of mine as well, and I have heard that "explanation" of them, too. Don't know if it is true or not, but it is a nice story. :-)
I have studied and looked at this picture a lot over the past couple of days. Though it is a fairly nice shot, and a great subject, I think a couple of adjustments could really give it some "wow" factor. I think the first thing that I notice is that the crop is a bit tight. Though you want the subject ot fill the frame, this feels crowded to me. Maybe if you pull the crop back some, and allow the main subject to be in the left or right third it wouldn't feel static, but would give the eyes somewhere else to "roam" and come back to.
The next thing I noticed is that teh exposure is great. The whites are nice and bright without blowing out, and the greens are shiny or bright, but a nice deep color. I think a slightly larger picture would show the defintion or details of the petals nicely.
The focus is okay for me, but the actually flower seems less sharp than some of the stuff in the background. I have found that it helps to make sure what I want in focus is in the very middle of my viewfinder or lcd, push the "shutter" halfway, let it focus, then reframe to get the framing I want. I don't know if your Nikon works the same way or not though.
Lastly, don't be afraid to play with the angle of shots. This looks head on, but it kinda gives me the impression that the flower was above your head. For some reason, it makes me feel like I am reaching to it. If this is so, try to find one closer to eye level or lower, then play with taking the picture from all different angles. Below, above, behind, to the sides, etc.
I do think this shot has a lot of potential, and I enjoyed looking at it. I hope this "critique" didn't sound over negative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to PM me and we can discuss it!
This photo is curious because the background is in better focus than the flower. Did you intend that to be what happened? Do you have a camera that doesn't have a macro setting?
Also, I think you could have made a more dramatic photo by picking a blossom such as the one in the lower left corner that's in some sunlight -- the highlights and shadows would give it some depth and some added interest.
I love dogwood, though, and it's nice to see it in the challenge.
Nice combination of green and white. The main subject is a little too centered, maybe a different crop with the flower placed more towards one of the corners might have helped. Otherwise good job! - Gary.
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