# Prickly Apostrophe

**URL:** <https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/prickly-apostrophe/52361>\
**Category:** Image Critiques\
**Tags:** plant-life, weekly-challenge, macro-close-up\
**Created:** [September 24, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/prickly-apostrophe/52361 "2026-09-24T21:35:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**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:** [September 24, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/prickly-apostrophe/52361/1 "2026-09-24T21:35:11Z")

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![Original - Prickly-Apostrophe-79359A7r3-26.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/f/2/f2801e0b1ff41a663f1119ecf1e2f994e1b5512f.jpeg)

### Weekly Challenge

Natural Calligraphy

9/20/26 - 9/26/26

**Critique Style:** Standard

The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.

**Feedback Focus:** Artistic / Expressive

### About This Image

I’m not above creating comps with ready at hand elements but I swear on all that’s holy that this is totally unmanipulated. I was actually on my way back into the house when I spied this juxtaposition of a fallen oleander leaf and our cactus flowers. \>=))\>

### Feedback Requested

Tried a stack but there must have been some camera movement and it looked awful. I think there is enough DOF and the POF was the flower center. Works for you?

### Technical Details

Sony A7rIII  
Sony FE 70-200 f2.8 GM-II, 2xTC @ 154mm (didn’t need the TC but had it aboard shooting a dragonfly)  
ISO 400, 1/4 @ f22  
Global adjustments in LRC, final sizing, processing ,sharpening and final presentation in PS with camera raw filter

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**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:** [September 25, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/prickly-apostrophe/52361/2 "2026-09-25T00:15:17Z")

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Works for me, Bill. I really like the composition with the flower and the leaf and the little skulls underneath add a strange counterpoint.

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**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/prickly-apostrophe/52361/3 "2026-09-25T22:37:19Z")

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Hi Bill  
Works for me though I’m getting a “?”

The skull seeds make it, the colour pulls the eye into the frame and it slides nicely round the flower and down the leaf to the skulls.

Very nicely seen and composed.

Huw

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**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/prickly-apostrophe/52361/4 "2026-09-25T22:58:56Z")

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Wonderful find and the focus looks just fine to me, as does the processing. And… skulls!!! Indeed! Great observation, @Huw_Thomas !

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**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/prickly-apostrophe/52361/5 "2026-09-26T13:44:13Z")

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Bill, nature’s apostrophe looks great. The flower looks good and is nicely emphasized by the curled leaf. The details in the cacti spines and “dots” fill the frame with interest. Well seen.