Gorgeous images, good exposure for screen use.
I find the perspective a little off-putting. The super wide image compressed into a single frame is quite odd - particularly number 3.
Is my fisheye lens less deceitful (making no bones about how it crammed so much scenery into the shot) or have I just got used to it?

The first thing I did when I saw the image was make the browser window really small to see what could be done, but I couldn't decide.
I think you have nailed it there Gwyn, maybe a little tight at the bottom, but a more powerful image definitely.
Colours are gorgeous aren't they?

Looks tasty, clip his wings... you've got about 4 months in which to pretend you're really fond of him and like giving him your lunch

no the main bud is gorgeous. I think it all needs to go up in the frame.

That's really nice! The water appears to be cascading down the petals.

I feel I want to do something with the composition, but I can't put my finger on it

Me three.
Don't know how you do it.

Just read this entire thread... brilliant! Thanks Goerge.

Oh, sorry... Nice thread with great detail

ha ha.
So it wasn't just the old guy with a Nikon that I was stood next to then? Like noise pollution it was. He must have had plenty of time to process that lot!

Steve, your post beggars belief. Go away and insert brain.
If you want to learn something, go and read the million tutorials already out there.
I have £500 worth of diffusers, because there's still a market for flattering images. Sometimes I chose just the brolly. That doesn't make me unimaginative, or unskillful, that makes me shrewd. I am aware of all the other possibilities and I explore them when it is appropriate.

In this thread I simply took up the gauntlet of defending what is rapidly becoming a much maligned piece of equipment.

So yes I'm being defensive - I'm defending the umbrella.

But... I'll speak slowly for you Steve, I agree with Ben that we should try to be more imaginative and I don't agree with Ken's Friend. Is that OK?

I'm OK Ken. You know me, I don't bend over and take it from anyone or suck up to anyone. I wasn't suggesting you meant me, I am just standing up for the humble brolly.
I have no respect for authority or celebrity or any other kind of elitism. So I still hold that it is bollocks and just more photo snobbery.