8/11/2007 4:56:03 AM

spectacular

8/11/2007 5:01:53 AM

Excellent capture, Christopher! Stunning! Love it!

8/11/2007 5:02:19 AM

This is lovely Christopher, love thise tiny details...Dominick

8/11/2007 5:02:30 AM

Excellent capture and looks so beautiful, Chris!! Love the lighting, details, and composition!

Holly

8/11/2007 5:07:52 AM

Beautiful, Chris. :O)

8/11/2007 5:09:04 AM

Are you trying to lock up all the awards befroe I get my new lens! This is one of your best seen to date. big WOW factor!

8/11/2007 5:41:08 AM

Simply stunning Chris ~ I sometimes remember to take along a spray bottle but not often needed over here ~ lol!

8/11/2007 8:41:43 AM

Terrific capture, Christopher! WOW! I love it!

8/11/2007 7:47:15 PM

WOW! How terrific! These last few have been AMAZING! love the color and clarity.

Funny comment about Dr. S's negative space one, too, LOL!

8/11/2007 8:23:44 PM

Chris,, this is just awesome!!! Great color!!

8/12/2007 12:39:58 AM

Oh, Chris, no wonder you're so excited. This is exquisite. I absolutely love the depth of field here with the crystal clear jewelled center petals rising from the golden glow and cradled in the rosy softness. You might want to hold a few of these back for September instead of competing so fiercely against yourself :)

8/12/2007 4:58:30 AM

Thank you all so much!
Les, I can only hope I'm locking up a few ;)
Nikki, I may be looking at some resubmits in late September, perhaps!

8/12/2007 5:35:04 AM

Fantastic work, Chris! Love the colors and detail. You're doing some great close-up work with the flowers, my friend!

8/12/2007 4:25:52 PM

Beautiful capture!

8/12/2007 6:24:34 PM

Thank you both, guys!

8/12/2007 6:46:33 PM

Loll...your story reminds me of my spider-web-chasing-days, I used to carry around a spraybottle too in case I find a beautiful web :O)
Love the lighting of your superb close up Chris !!

8/16/2007 12:53:34 PM

Thanks so much, Sylvia. I must remember that, for when I go out on flower/nature shoots again!

8/16/2007 1:48:43 PM

This really is beautiful Christopher!!

8/24/2007 11:22:36 PM

Thank you, Donna!

8/25/2007 4:30:09 AM

Beautiful Christopher, and definitely worth a second look! Gorgeous light and details!

9/1/2007 1:55:05 PM

Wow Christopher... incredibly beautiful! Color, clarity, lighting, crop... it's perfect!

9/1/2007 6:32:28 PM

Excellent color, lighting & detail, Christopher. Beautiful image.

9/1/2007 6:41:05 PM

I really appreciate it, Michelle, Julie & Sam! Fingers crossed for this resubmit!

9/2/2007 5:19:39 AM

So very pleased to see the EP on this resub, Chris. Totally an oversight the first time around and I expect it to go all the way. Would love to see it bring in the gold for you. Your faith in this beauty is an inspiration for me.

9/6/2007 4:20:45 AM

I'm happy, too, Nikki! I'm a firm believer in resubmitting an image you feel strongly about!

9/6/2007 5:46:14 AM

Woohoo... I am thrilled to see an EFP on this one Chris!! Hope it goes REAL gold...:)

9/9/2007 3:36:31 PM

;) You and me both!! Thanks!

9/10/2007 3:49:48 AM

Way to go, Chris!! Congratulations on this absolutely stunning finalist. Here's hoping for more . . .

10/24/2007 8:21:27 PM

Fantastic, Chris! Congratulations!

10/24/2007 9:02:50 PM

Congratulations Chris! More evidence that resubbing works!!

10/24/2007 9:06:26 PM

Well deserved Finalist, Chris! CONGRATS!

10/24/2007 9:43:18 PM

OMG!! 101 is taking all the prizes in the flower category.
Congratulations on your flower finalist. From our group, I think we have 6+ flowers in the finals. Good Luck...I aspire to win! LOL

10/25/2007 2:25:46 AM

That morning in the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens really paid off - another congrats on a beautiful finalist Chris!

10/25/2007 3:51:11 AM

Congratulations on your finalist, Chris!
Gorgeous image!

10/25/2007 7:08:19 AM

Fabulous, Chris! Congratulations on your finalist!

10/25/2007 8:44:29 AM

How could I not have commented on this yet??? The detail is exquisite! I hope it moves on to the next round. Congrats Chris!

10/25/2007 5:29:58 PM

gorgeous....love the color, comp and the droplets

10/25/2007 6:59:11 PM

Chris,

Congratualations on the finalist!

Beautiful deep pink color. Good luck in the next go round.

Pat

10/26/2007 3:15:20 AM

Beautiful! Congratulations!

10/26/2007 1:33:24 PM

Rock on Chris! Here's to your big first place win!

10/26/2007 2:07:29 PM

I am sooo pleased to see this, Chris. What an honor! Love it. Congratulations for your first place win!

10/26/2007 2:11:06 PM

Big congratulations, Chris!!! WTG on placing 1st!!! Gorgeous image too!

10/26/2007 2:19:22 PM

Congratulations Chris!! It really is a beauty!

10/26/2007 2:23:01 PM

Alright, Chris! Congratulations on your beautiful 1st Place!

10/26/2007 2:23:14 PM

Congratulations Chris!!! Way to go!!

10/26/2007 2:32:32 PM

Big Congratulations, Chris, on this WONDERFUL Winner!!! A very well-deserved recognition.
Cesar

10/26/2007 2:50:24 PM

Beautiful Chris..congratulations on your win!!

10/26/2007 2:51:32 PM

TERRIFIC CHRIS!!! Way to go!

10/26/2007 2:53:58 PM

Congratulations on your win, Chris!

10/26/2007 3:03:11 PM

Congratulations, Chris, on your winner!!!

Bob

10/26/2007 3:49:26 PM

Fabulous image Christopher! And a huge congratulations for this well deserved win!

10/26/2007 4:25:59 PM

Well it's about time you got another win :-)

The image is spectacular, stunning,
stupendous....

Congratulations Chris!!!! A well deserved 1st place win!

10/26/2007 4:49:45 PM

WAY TO GO!!!

I am so glad this image won 1st Place. Congratulations, my friend, on a wonderful, well-deserved win. And here's to many more.

10/26/2007 5:45:01 PM

You all know how to make a guy smile from ear to ear! I just got home tonite, from a week on the road to find this staggering surprise! I'm still in a state of stunned giddiness at this win; I'm just thrilled that it made it!
Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement, going back to the first entry (August--no luck!)
And my thanks again to folks at the Gaithersburg Camera Club (Pat, Don, Tom) for telling me about Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in the first place. And last, but not least, that anonymous photographer who sprayed this lotus with her water bottle, minutes before I arrived! ;)

10/26/2007 6:13:47 PM

Very nice winning image Chris, a huge congratulations!!!

10/26/2007 6:32:52 PM

Way to go, Chris! Big congratulations on your First Place Win!!!

10/26/2007 7:09:53 PM

Congratulations on your win Chris...

10/26/2007 7:13:58 PM

OUTSTANDING Christopher, in all respects! Congratulations on your stunning First Place Winner!

10/26/2007 8:53:54 PM

Congrats on the BIG WIN! I knew tis was going to get GOLD.....in a very large way!

10/26/2007 11:58:21 PM

Chris - big, big, BIG congrats on this first place win!!!

10/27/2007 3:00:32 AM

Congratulations on this well-deserved First-Place win, Chris!

10/27/2007 5:23:21 AM

Congratulations on your win, Chris!! Great image!

Holly

10/27/2007 5:36:44 AM

Amazing, love it Chris. That was me out at Kennlworth...:) No not really but I did get out there this year

Congratulations on a well deserved Winner

10/27/2007 5:56:17 AM

Wonderful, lighting and detail, Christopher. Congratulations!

10/27/2007 7:15:23 AM

Beautiful, BIG Congrats Chris!

10/27/2007 7:47:56 AM

The detail, color, comp and perfect repetition of dew on this flower makes it a winner. Nice job, Chris, and CONGRATULATIONS on your 1st place win.

10/27/2007 8:28:19 AM

Big CONGRATS Chris!!! Gorgeous image!

10/27/2007 9:55:51 AM

Simply gorgeous Chris, big congrats on your first place win!!

10/27/2007 10:17:17 AM

I'm so proud of you! I knew this was gold. Huge congratulations to you buddy.

10/27/2007 12:51:09 PM

Thank you all so much, for taking a look at this, and the warm congratulations! I am still (yes, still) beaming today; when I worked at the cathedral today, I had to share the news with everyone there... So the excitement hasn't worn off, which is so nice! Thanks again!

10/27/2007 5:57:27 PM

You can be really proud of this beautiful shot and well deserved winner Chris !! Big Big congrats :O)

10/28/2007 9:56:48 AM

WOW...what a beautiful, pristine floral. A BIG CONGRATS to you, christopher, for this well-deserved first place WINNER!! WTG!!! Lynn

10/28/2007 3:33:16 PM

Thank you both, Sylvia & Lynn!

10/28/2007 7:18:31 PM

Congratulations, Christopher.
It is beautiful, definitely deserving to be a winner.

10/28/2007 8:34:02 PM

Just amazing Christopher !

Roger

10/28/2007 8:41:53 PM

Congratulations on your beautiful first place win, Christopher!

10/29/2007 2:00:57 AM

Congratulations on this super winner, Chris! :)

10/29/2007 4:22:20 AM

Many thanks, Jenny, Anna, Roger & Rebecca! I'm honored to have won, in a category of so many beautiful images!

10/29/2007 5:30:03 AM

A first place! A first place! Way to go Chris. A beautiful, beautiful photo!

10/29/2007 5:52:33 AM

Thanks, Don! You know first hand how excited I am right now!! :)

10/29/2007 6:14:57 AM

Chris
CONGRATULATIONS for your first prize win. That is a huge honor for a wonderful well-deserving image. You have come a long way from the National Cathedral in subject.

10/29/2007 9:54:10 AM

WOW!! BIG Congrats to you on your First Place Win Chris!!! Gorgeous work!!! :0)

10/29/2007 3:31:56 PM

Congratulations on this beautiful, well-deserved 1st Place WINNER!
--Lisa

10/29/2007 7:17:36 PM

Beautiful photo, Congratulations Christopher !!

10/29/2007 11:41:56 PM

I really appreciate it, Justin, Datha, Lisa & Abdullah; thanks so much!

10/30/2007 4:57:08 AM

I'm a little slow this month, but congratulations on your Gold Chris. :O)

10/30/2007 1:14:01 PM

Thanks so much, Doc!

10/31/2007 4:13:06 AM

Chris, I am behind too! Congrats on your wonderful first place win!!

11/1/2007 9:15:29 PM

BIG congrats to you for this one Chris!

11/2/2007 10:03:46 PM

Thank you both, Carol & Corinne, very much!

11/3/2007 5:12:00 PM

Awesome image. Congrats on your win!

11/5/2007 3:28:34 AM

Thank you, Amalia

11/5/2007 4:48:52 AM

This is one of my favorite of your photos and a special win for you so I thought it was a good place to wish you a very happy birthday, Chris.

8/19/2008 3:39:12 AM

This is indeed a beautiful capture Chris ~ and the perfect place to wish you a very happy birthday ~ have a great day in the big apple!

8/19/2008 3:55:38 AM

Happy Birthday, Chris.... :-)

8/19/2008 5:54:49 AM

Thanks, folks, for the birthday wishes!

8/19/2008 3:20:43 PM

Beautiful!

9/23/2008 6:42:15 PM

Thank you Shelly, for taking a look!

9/27/2008 2:35:16 PM

I love this image!! I am new and now trying my hand at macro. Not having alot of luck I wondered if you had any tips since you are the big winner!!! Thanks!!!

1/4/2009 8:26:52 AM

Thanks so much Gina! As for shooting macros, my 2 bits of primary advice are, 1) get a dedicated macro lens if possible (I *love* the Canon 100mm, which I used on this image---it is my all-time favorite lens, worth every penny, and I shoot a lot of non-macro with it as well) and 2) always use a solid tripod (and a remote shutter release if possible, or the timer) to minimize camera shake from your finger on the trigger.
Macro is great territory to explore, and I love experimenting with shallow depth of field.
Happy shooting!

1/7/2009 6:10:57 PM

Exquisite! Congratulations! Do you think the Canon EF-S 75-300mm would be able to capture details as sharp as the 100? This is incredible.

4/16/2009 9:22:14 PM

Many thanks, Leslie. The 100mm macro is a remarkable Canon lens, my all-time favorite so far. I've not used the lens you ask about, so I'm afraid I can't offer an opinion about it. I have one EF-S lens, and I've generally been pretty happy with it. I also have a 70-300, and that is actually my least-favorite lens, though I've never tried it for this kind of shooting. Whatever lens you use, for this kind of closeup/detail, I'd definitely recommend a tripod, and your camera timer or remote-control shutter release.

4/17/2009 8:46:21 AM

Congrats on your beautiful winner Chris.

11/28/2009 8:43:13 AM

Thanks so much, Leslie!

11/28/2009 6:08:00 PM

Wow, a real gold first place win and will deserved. This is wire sharp, beautiful clarity, exquisite color and tonality, wonderful composition and it has dew droplets to boot. This is one of my all time favorites, and well deserved. It is inspiring!

4/18/2010 9:03:48 PM

Well thank you very much, Bunny! This one enjoys "pride of place" in my home; a large print of it is the only one of my photos which hangs in my living room. It is probably my all-tiime favorite image shot with my 100mm lens, too... that lens is always tack sharp!

4/19/2010 4:08:51 AM

I have always loved this one Chris... And to think... I own this camera now!!...:)))

This is with the 100mm? I still have a bit of trouble reading all the stats up there..:)

5/2/2010 7:17:43 PM

Weird, right?! I'm so glad you have the camera now, and I hope it brings you continued gold!
Yes, this was a shot with the 100mm:
EF100 (the lens)
f/2.8 (the aperture I used---the lowest f-stop the lens can do, which reduces depth of field and blurs the background more. The closer to your subject, the more the background blurs.)
1/3200th Second (the shutter speed---I probably shot this in Av mode, which is pretty much the shooting mode I live in!)
-2/3ev (the exposure compensation value, since it was a bright day, I dialed it down almost a full stop)
ISO100 (I shoot 100 whenever possible, and typically always when out in daylight, for the least noise possible... I never liked the noise on the Rebel above ISO400)
RAW (well, of course!!!)
tripod (at 1/3200th, I probably could have done hand-held just fine---but I'm addicted to tripod shooting, and stability is always good.)

5/2/2010 11:26:53 PM

Exquisite Christopher :-) Congratulations on your well deserved Gold.

6/18/2010 8:36:27 PM

Thank you Julianne!

6/19/2010 5:06:05 AM

Just noticed this for the first time! Congrats! It's really something to be proud of!

8/13/2010 12:13:46 AM

Thanks, Susan... one of my all-time favorites, and the only image I have on display in my living room ;)

8/13/2010 7:42:42 AM

CONGRATULATIONS, MERNA

1/17/2011 10:46:58 AM

Beautiful Chris, the adwards kkep coming your way and deservedly so. Well done mate.

4/29/2011 6:55:47 AM

Clarity and the color are both striking! Excellent macro shot Chris. Congratulations on your win!!

10/28/2011 11:29:46 PM

Thank you Alex, and I see I missed Merna & Martin--thanks as well!

10/29/2011 3:48:36 AM

Belated CONGRATZ on this wonderful First Place Winner, Chris.

UB.

5/25/2012 4:19:41 AM

Thanks so much, Usman!

5/25/2012 5:41:26 AM