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A flower for all


A flower for all
Photo Information
Copyright: Adrian Rusu (roges) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 490 W: 0 N: 884] (4499)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-28
Categories: Macro
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-07-05 5:38
Viewed: 409
Points: 87
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A cactus (plural: cacti or cactuses) is any member of the plant family Cactaceae, native to the Americas. They are often used as ornamental plants, but some are also crop plants. Cacti are grown for protection of property from wild animals, as well as many other uses. Cacti are part of the plant order Caryophyllales, which also includes members like beets, gypsophila, spinach, amaranth, tumbleweeds, carnations, rhubarb, buckwheat, plumbago, bougainvillea, chickweed and knotgrass.

Cacti are distinctive and unusual plants, which are adapted to extremely arid and hot environments, showing a wide range of anatomical and physiological features which conserve water. Their stems have adapted to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have become the spines for which cacti are well known.

Cacti come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The tallest is Pachycereus pringlei, with a maximum recorded height of 19.2 m, and the smallest is Blossfeldia liliputiana, only about 1 cm diameter at maturity. Cactus flowers are large, and like the spines and branches arise from areoles. Many cactus species are night blooming, as they are pollinated by nocturnal insects or small animals, principally moths and bats. Cacti range in size from small and globular to tall and columnar.

Cacti are perennial and grow as trees, shrubs, or vines. Most species are terrestrial, but there are also many epiphytic species, especially in the tribes Rhipsalideae and Hylocereeae. In most species, except for the sub-family Pereskioideae (see image), the leaves are greatly or entirely reduced. The leaves may also be tiny and deciduous as can be seen on new shoots of Opuntia. Spines found in the cacti are actually modified leaves; the stems (the green "pads" of many cacti) have also evolved to photosynthesize. The flowers, mostly radially symmetrical and bisexual, bloom either by day or by night, depending on the species. Their shape varies from tube-like through bell-like to wheel-shaped, and their size from 0.2 to 15-30 centimeters. Most of them have numerous sepals (from 5 to 50 or more), and change form from outside to inside, from bracts to petals. They have stamens in great numbers (from 50 to 1,500, rarely fewer). Nearly all species of cacti have a bitter mucilaginous sap contained within them. The berry-like fruits may contain few to many (3,000), seeds, which can be between 0.4 and 12 mm long.

The life of a cactus is seldom longer than 300 years[citation needed], but may be as short as 25 years, (although these flower as early as their second year). The Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) grows to a height of up to 15 meters (the record is 17 meters 67 cm), but in its first ten years, it grows only 10 centimeters. The "mother-in-law's cushion" (Echinocactus grusonii) reaches a height of 2.5 meters and a diameter of 1 meter and - at least on the Canaries - is already capable of flowering after 6 years. The diameter of cactus flowers ranges from 5 to 30 cm; the colors are often conspicuous and spectacular.
Athila, Tomek, szekelykristof, cunejo200, HienVy, chrisJ, billyboy51, kajari, lilimih33, Karyn674, tedesse, daisydaisy, horias, jjanczyk, suzy, Dyerco, kanton, burak28, mikolaj_cava, robelnarte, alper2702, harpya, Scharan2, mesquens1, Travelcam, erhan1958, naturelover has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To horias: Seara buna Horia !roges 2 07-09 09:21
To Koala: Seara buna Ale !roges 1 07-08 10:07
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Adrian,
It could have been a nice flower shot, but I think you didn't manage to focus the subject, the whole photo is blurred, probably except for the bottom part. Colours would look nice though, but the lack of sharpness spoils the scene, needs improvement. Good luck with trying!
TFS.
Greetings,
Kristof

hi Adrian this is a nice piece of macro photography i dont think the lack of sharpness mars it but makes it more intresting personelly i like this a lot tfs
regards bryan

Hi Adrian,
I have not seen much cactus flowers and this is a treat. The composition is effective, and the square format with the dark edge optimum. I f you don't mind, I made a WS to sharpen the image. Greetings. Danilo

Adrian
I like the POV of this photo
Best regards
HienVy

  • Great 
  • chrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4214 W: 414 N: 6600] (41877)
  • [2009-07-05 8:00]

Hi Adrian

Good fg sharpness, excellent use of a shallow dof, & I like the repetition of the mauve flowers. Tfs!

Hello "neighbor".....such a lovely color and sharpness in this shot ...also excellent macro work and the information you have given is very interesting

Witaj Adrian!
Piekna kisc kwiatow kaktusa. I jak nietypowo je uwidoczniles, widac od spodu kolorowe smugi platkow. Wybrales najbardziej elegancki kolor kwiatow.
Piekne foto.
Pozdrawiam z upalnego Augustowa
Lucja

A very intersting shot of these splendid flowers.The soft focus is giving a unique look.POV is nice and so is the composition with simple border.A informative note.TFS
Regards
Kajari

Hi Adrian. Nice compo here. Light is low but good soft atmosphpere.

Roberto

Hi Adrian,
A wonderful macro vith great DOF, colours, light and details.Gut gemacht mein freund.Gratuliere!
Viele grüsse,

hAyAti

Ciao Adrian!
Perspectiva e super, dar focusul nu este prea bun, si culorile sint cam sterse.
Vad ca ai incercat o rama. Mie personal imi plac ramele mai late.
Sint minunate aceste flori de cacus. Am si eu in galeria mea asa ceva (te rog sa te uiti si la variantele din WS).
Zilele acestea trebuie sa infloreasca din nou cactusii adoptivului meu Opa.
Salutari si numai bine!
Lili

Hi Adrian,

What a feast of flowers!! Beautiful! I really like your pov, normally one is tempted to shoot these flowers from the top rather then the side as you did. I also like the softness of the picture rather then too sharpened.

My compliments

Karen

Hi Adrian!

Nice and sweet presentation.
Beautiful flowers.
I like the POV.
Good notes.
Weel done.

Regards,
Paulo.

hi Adrian.. nice macro and good compo.
nice colors .
good work
greetings..
Harout

Bonjour Adrian.
Un WS qui reprend un peu le manque de netteté mais l’image originale est aussi très belle.
Superbe.
Urs

  • Great 
  • AKITA Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1003 W: 81 N: 66] (12072)
  • [2009-07-06 21:40]

dear Adrian,
a very calm atmosphere makes me feel tranquility.
graceful shape and depressed color look ambivalent,
but maybe this soft feeling is nice to show us your peaceful mind.
the enthusiasm is silent actually.
thank you,
Akihisa

  • Great 
  • nicou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1251 W: 0 N: 2447] (20126)
  • [2009-07-07 0:48]

Hello,

Fantastique captage de ces belle fleurs latéralement, avec un grande finesse, ce détachement des pétale est fantastique, très belle image.

Bravoe t amitié

Nicou

Witaj!
Ladny kadr i kompozycja,piekne kwiaty.
Piekne kolory i ostrosc,ladnetlo i ramka.
Pozdrawiam
Tadeusz

  • Great 
  • vanda Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 229 W: 0 N: 227] (1634)
  • [2009-07-08 6:22]

Ciao Adrian,
Raffinata composizione con bei colori pastello.
Giusta scelta per la cornice.
Ottimo lavoro.
Ciao.
Vanda

  • Great 
  • Koala Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 391 W: 32 N: 90] (4019)
  • [2009-07-08 8:54]
  • [+]

Salut :D
interesanta foto :) imi place unghiul :) e mai neobisnuit :)
lumina e buna de asemenea :)
Imi plac mult cactusii si florile in general :P am si eu vreo 5 cactusi si 2 bambusi :P

O seara placuta !

Ale

Adrian,
Din nou de exceptie realizarea ta...si o spun cu oarecare invidie, insa ma bucur mereu sa vad asemenea fotografii...poate cel mai important lucru este ca fiecare dintre noi suntem mandri de ceea ce realizam de fiecare data si ne bucuram enorm sa putem imparti bucuria cu prietenii de aici.
Sa ai multa liniste
Horia

  • Great 
  • suzy Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 425 W: 38 N: 1261] (4336)
  • [2009-07-09 7:09]

Hi Adrian,

I really like the mauve color in this presentation,
very beautiful flowers with fine sharpness and lighting,
the repetition of the cactus is really appealing, so is
the POV and the idea, nicely composed and framed...

best regards
suzy

Hi Adrian
Great POV. Usually we see cactus flowers from the top dowm as many of them grow close to the ground. I like how you filled the frame with this grouping.
Phil

  • Great 
  • kanton Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 693 W: 5 N: 1240] (5202)
  • [2009-07-09 10:10]

Hi Adrian!
Wonderful flower, sofl in
colours and light and elegant!
Regards and tfs
Kostas

  • Great 
  • Dot Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1394 W: 31 N: 3034] (12248)
  • [2009-07-09 17:19]

HI Adrian
The pastel flowers do fill the frame well.
These have to be the smallest photo corners I have ever seen.
Nicely presented and well done
Dot

Selam Adrian
Wonderful capture and macro
Great details and colors
Burak

Hello Adrian! Wonderful flowers. Nice deliacte lightness. Beautiful natural colours. Good sharpness. Good luck!
PS. I was in Romania eight days.

Bonjour Adrian
Le point de vue était parfait, beau rendu des couleurs mais il manque un peu de netteté sur le premier plan et du coup la profondeur de champ n'apporte pas tout ce qu'on pourrait en attendre
Bonne journée

Hi Adrian ,

Beautiful macro!
the Contrast, colors, and light are well balance. The silkiness of
some of the flowers make it more interesting as an image itself...

Best regards ,
Raul- robelnarte

Sehr gute Idee und schöne Zusammensetzung.

mögen Sie diese Atmosphäre Der Fokus ist hervorragend Poetisches Foto Bravo

Witaj,
Ciekawa roslina, piekne kwiaty.
Ladna kompozycja i super prezentacja.
Pozdrawiam

  • Great 
  • Alexia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 189 W: 0 N: 220] (2450)
  • [2009-07-15 13:23]

Ciao..mi piace
moltissimo questa
foto..complimenti
Alessia

  • Great 
  • mistic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 282 W: 3 N: 90] (2624)
  • [2009-07-18 10:43]

hello adrian

great macro, the scharpnes is a little flou but the colors are beautiful and great details
have a nice day

Hi Adrian!
this is a nice image!...interesting focus...i would say it's right in place and adds a nice feeling...and of course, its something different:)...
the composition is great...
regards,
Alper

Ciao Adrian


O fundo cinza escuro reforça o tema tão bem!
Eu aviso da soft luz que realmente traz as
melhores informações nas delicadas flores ...
Apesar de estar um pouco com falta de sharpness, é
Uma agradável composição.
Saudações,

Sergio

Hello Adrian,

I really like the striking shape of these flowers. I do think the photo could have better focus, which would make a stronger statement, but a very interesting subject.

Keep shootin'

Richard

  •      
  • ele_eng Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 604 W: 74 N: 730] (6006)
  • [2009-07-21 21:07]

Ola Adrian
Thank you for your lovely gift!
Very nice flower with faithful colors, but I can't find the exact focus point.
Best wishes, Alireza

Olá Adrian

Belo arranjo dessas lindas flores!
Gosto muito deste tom de rosa e os
detalhes são muito bonitos...
Parabéns!
Grande abraço,
Vera.

Olá Adrian,
Excellente capture. A nice floral diagonal, great colors and lighting. Very good POV and framing.
Very good Note,
Abraço cordial,
Raimundo

Buna Adrian! Frumoase flori. Si mie imi plac florile de cactus cind se deschid, din pacate insa infloresc asa de greu si de scurt. Salutari. Csabi

Hi Adrian,

I like this cactus alot! Stunning flowers - so many! :-)

It does appear slightly blurred but nonetheless a pleasing photo. YOur note are well prepared and interesting. TFS.

Martyn

Hi Adrian,
What a beautiful macro, absolutely stunning.. i love the soft focus on it, makes it look very gentle and delicate, lovely pastel colors...
regards
kasja

Hi Adrian, very good macro.
I like POV and colors.
Light is perfect.
Very well done.
Ciao Mari

HI ADRIAN
such a lovely color and sharpness flavers
greetings
erhan

Hi Adrian
I just love this image of cacti blooming. The excellent DOF and the colour it creates is a nice contrast to the soft pink blooms. Love the textures and colour of the stem too. It all works so well.
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • Tomek Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1311 W: 47 N: 2909] (16684)
  • [2009-09-17 7:27]

Hi Adrian:)
Very artistic shot - it look like painting.
I like this picture a lot:)
Cheers - Tom

Bonjour Adrian

Nice close up and nice presentation. Beautifull soft light. I like the composition. To my taste, I would say focus looks soft (for macro photographer lens are never sharp enough), but considering the soft light and the delicate flower it looks good. Try to sharpen it in PP will increase contrast, which you don't want. Although increasing DOF would have help to improve overall shapness without contrast increase. I still love this image really catch attention. Nice work and TFS.

Alain

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