# Blue and Gold Iris **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** editors-pick, plant-life\ **Created:** [February 24, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361 "2019-02-24T17:11:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kathy\_Snead](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@Kathy\_Snead](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kathy_Snead)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/1 "2019-02-24T17:11:37Z")
##### **_You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques._** ---
**Author:** ![Kathy\_Snead](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@Kathy\_Snead](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kathy_Snead)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/3 "2019-02-24T17:51:05Z")
Hi Sandy Thanks! The original had a very dark background with all the black streaks you see, but good point about that black spot. I missed that and have now corrected it. I am attaching it. On the stem, I think you mean that other bud? I kind of liked having it there since it isn’t in focus. Maybe I am not appreciating it right. Best ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Freeman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/shirley_freeman/32/11361_2.png) [@Shirley\_Freeman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Shirley_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/4 "2019-02-24T18:32:44Z")
This is a beautiful Iris, Kathy, and I like the way you captured it. Very nice. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/5 "2019-02-24T18:58:20Z")
A lovely Iris, Kathy. I like your depth of field and I’m surprised you got that much at 300 mm and f/5. The bokeh seems to be awesome with both Nikon and Canon 300 mm f/4 lenses. You might look at adding a touch of canvas at the top-it feels just a bit crowded to me up there. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 7:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/6 "2019-02-24T19:53:00Z")
Hi Kathy, There’s a lot to like about this image. Your repost Is better than the original. You can darken the bright spot on the rh side of the flower bud if needed. Otherwise, a beautiful and nicely done iris in awesome light…Jim ---
**Author:** ![Kathy\_Snead](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@Kathy\_Snead](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kathy_Snead)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/7 "2019-02-24T23:50:41Z")
Thank you Shirley! ---
**Author:** ![Kathy\_Snead](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@Kathy\_Snead](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kathy_Snead)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/8 "2019-02-24T23:54:41Z")
Dennis Thank you. The detail, and bokeh is incredible with these 300 mm lenses , I agree. I took a look at the original and what you see is about 40-45% of the raw image. So , I could have moved in a bit more, although most of what I eliminated was due to wanting a square format. I put a little more room on top in this latest repost. Best Kathy ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Fach](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_fach/32/78290_2.png) [@Bill\_Fach](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Fach)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 3:23am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/9 "2019-02-25T03:23:59Z")
Kathy: Each iteration is a little bit better but your staring point is spectacular. Marvelous subject superbly rendered.\>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 3:41am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/10 "2019-02-25T03:41:02Z")
Excellent, Kathy. ---
**Author:** ![Phil\_Hodgkins](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/phil_hodgkins/32/3580_2.png) [@Phil\_Hodgkins](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Phil_Hodgkins)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 4:38am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/11 "2019-02-25T04:38:22Z")
Each incremental step is an improvement. These bearded irises are beautiful, but tough to render a decent background with, because of the large surround of leaves. You have done a remarkable job. ---
**Author:** ![Kathy\_Snead](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@Kathy\_Snead](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kathy_Snead)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/12 "2019-02-25T14:46:01Z")
Thanks Bill! ---
**Author:** ![Kathy\_Snead](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@Kathy\_Snead](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kathy_Snead)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/13 "2019-02-25T14:48:30Z")
Phil Thank you. I got quite lucky with this little specimen as it was in kind of a clearing as far as other blooms go. I’m still mining last year’s shoots as I still can’t shoot and really there are no flowers here yet, only snow. ---
**Author:** ![Lon\_Overacker](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lon_overacker/32/10929_2.png) [@Lon\_Overacker](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Lon_Overacker)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/14 "2019-02-27T18:23:29Z")
Kathy, Gorgeous portrait. Agree with others that each little tweak has made this even better - always striving to make an image the best it can be - and you’re doing that. Cool. I don’t think this has been mentioned, so I will. LOVE to colors! (which also means great job on the processing.) Lon ---
**Author:** ![Giuseppe\_Guadagno](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/giuseppe_guadagno/32/19438_2.png) [@Giuseppe\_Guadagno](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Giuseppe_Guadagno)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/15 "2019-02-27T20:00:21Z")
Kathy, for me you have created a superb photo for delicate lights and colors, sharpness, cleanliness and an elegant design. Thanks to the good suggestions the photo is surely improved but in the details because the image is splendid also in the original. ---
**Author:** ![Kathy\_Snead](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@Kathy\_Snead](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kathy_Snead)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2019, 4:19am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/16 "2019-02-28T04:19:13Z")
Thanks Lon! ---
**Author:** ![Kathy\_Snead](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@Kathy\_Snead](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kathy_Snead)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2019, 4:20am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/17 "2019-02-28T04:20:24Z")
Thank you very much for these nice comments Gigi! ---
**Author:** ![Kathy\_Snead](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@Kathy\_Snead](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kathy_Snead)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 1:24am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-and-gold-iris/4361/19 "2019-03-06T01:24:06Z")
Thanks Sandy!