What would make this look better. A different angle, more plant, less plant, different cluster? I have yet to get a shot of Lilac that I am happy with.

looks to me like it's slightly under exposed. I think may also need softer and more even light. That shot looks like it was taken in direct sunlight, or hard light. Maybe wait for just after a rain, or make your own on a slighty over cast day. You need the shadows but maybe some moisture and a little softer light from a thin overcast day, or a skrim, may help.

I PS'd it bit but there's nothing like getting the photo you want straight from the camera.. .

What camera, what settings?

I like the composition.

Under exposed eh, I can bump it up a bit. Your adjustment is a little much, having been there, but mine I agree, it’s low. I think you are on to it about the harshness of the high full sun. I think I may have reduced the exposure a bit trying for a better look overcompensating for the harshness of the light. I have a diffuser I will try that again if I get the opportunity this year. The flowers are fading and there is rain forecast for the next few days.

The EXIF is embedded, but to summarize, you are correct, it was in full sun a little after 1 in the afternoon. Shot with a D70 and Tamron 90 Di at 1/500 f9. Contrast, sharpness and saturation set to low, but I processed in RAW Shooters Essential so that’s a wash. I set the White Balance from a WhiBal card reading.

I think your tighter crop looks better too.

200 ISO I assume. Why did you shoot it at f9?

What do you use to calibrate your monitor?

Yes ISO 200.
f9 since I was fairly close I wanted the entire flower in focus. And the background was 4 feet away so I knew I’d get enough blur.

cool, what about your monitor and it's calibration

You are right there, I have an old IBM P96 that is uncalibrated. I did all the stuff you can do except buy a spider or the like.

I usually check my settings using this chart and the techniques presented on their website. Accurate Image Manipulation for Desktop Publishing

jeff, thanks for that post, it's interesting information.

I just purchased a gretagmacbeth system . . . but still need to hook it all up - LOL

Take care and thanks again for posting that link. . .

Sure no problem. There is a ton of info in there and it takes some time to digest. More time if it's new material like it was for me.

I went for the little WhiBal since it's small and I will use it. I had a larger gray card, but it rarely came out of my bag. I had no interest in spending the money you have. I find that what I get from my lab in prints looks very close to what I have on my screen. Now, if they tweak is some, I guess that's fine too. I have yet to do anything that requires truly superior accuracy. But the color balance I am betting using the gray card approach, I think, is very good.

Hey jeff, the cover story in the magazine "photo techniques" is titled "shooting stunning waterfall." it's the may.june 2006 issue. . .