dunno what flower this is but i took it on an overcast afternoon, hence the dull white on the petals. but the stamens turned up so clear i thought i'd upload it. hope u like :~)
Beautiful presentation! It looks like an anemone to me and like Darryl, I like the soft lighting on the petals that enhance the beautiful clear center capture.
Among flower photos something like this really stands out on the page. Simply gorgeous color, detail and structure. You also chose a perfect unblemished one with dramatic light and shadow.
Overcast weather is the best for shooting flowers (IMHO, but I've heard this from experienced photographers also). In full sunlight colors tend to wash out and it's near impossible to not get burnt out textures in the highlighted areas.
I much prefer a shot like this in natural, low light then one shot with a flash or in full sunlight (but it can quite naturally turn out great then too). Like usual you have an almost extremely short field of depth. It works out nicely but you are at the edge of blurring parts of the image too much (in parts where color and shape draws attention.)
The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was, is lost, for none now live who remember it. -Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring