What kind of lighting are you using?

Try focusing the light onto just the bloom as much as you can and then using the highest f-stop you can accomplish by increasing the light.

This should take the background out of focus and keep it darker, so that the flower does not blend into the green background.

Very nice bloom and I to have trouble photographing Masdevallia they never show their real intricacies in photograph.

Really awesome miniature - what kind of moss is that, by the way?

Green on green is a tough one to photograph, but ya did great!

Sharon

The major challenge with taking photos of some of my Pleurothalids (especially this one), is that many are in my Palludarium.
Although not impossible, access for photos is not always easy!;~)
They're rooted in and not moveable to a more ideal location for photos.
I also am having to do this through the glass walls.

I do have an older photo and it's actually better.
I've no idea how it happened, but...

"What kind of lighting are you using?"
I tried several different things, including my Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash.
I had too many issue with reflection off of the glass.
Anything else gave far too much glare.
Tripod, timer and ISO set at 100, but otherwise total darkness with a simple halogen headlamp aimed off to the side.

As much as I complain, you'd think that I'd spend more time reading the book.
I've just figured out things as I've went along!;~)
Apparently, I've had some confusion over the difference between f-stop's and the ISO.
This should make for the next big jump in quality!!:~)
I might as well devote some time to reading the frickin' thing.
I can't always rely on luck, or at least not anymore!;~)

Thanks!
Scott

Being able to change the iso is strange to me on a digital but what it represents is the film speed, in other words how saturated the film is with silver and how fast it will react with light. Higher iso = less light needed resulting in a faster shutter speed possible, but the downside is a grainer picture.

F-stop is how open or closed the aperture is in the lens.

The last variable is shutter speed, but if you are using a flash at all it should be set to 120. Anything slower than 60 and you will need a tripod.

I did not realize you were shooting through glass, I would say you did a great job in that condition. Is there anyway you can place a small light inside the glass maybe that would help with reflection and contrast?

Regardless it looks like a great bloom nice growing.

Although I'm still not satisfied, I played around with things again this evening.
This is another current bloomer that I messed with the F-stop to take.
I do have some blur and will try to avoid that when ever I get around to posting the new ones.

I've been wanting to do it all along.
I just never quite figured out where it was at!;~)
I got into a little rut that generally worked, but wasn't the best method or the most reliable!
If I have the time tomorrow, I'll see if I can do better!
This is lookin' good!

Scott - Great Masde. In the 2nd shot, there's more shadow behind the flower, which gives better contrast. That's about the extent of my picture-shooting savvy.

I just got my 2nd Masde - the erinacea (horrida). Do you have that one?

Me_171, with your photog skills, those wine bottle labels are gonna be gorgeous.

Whitecat8

Here is a link that might be useful: Masde erinacea (horrida)

I am still learning with photography the only way to really get good at it I think is trying everything. Much cheaper with digital than film. But hopefully I can get some good shots for my labels. If not I will have my dad do it, who is the one who told me anything I know about photography.

I also use his studio and lights so that makes it easier to play with the light, than in a glass case.

Scott the last pic you put up is not showing up on my computer.

Not showing up on mine, either. Whitecat8

That's 'cause I deleted it! ;~)
Sorry...
I managed to take a better photo and this was only a teaser anyway.
The new ones are in my Cirrhopetalum Daisy Chain... posting.

That was only a trial run.
I've been struggling with several new bloomers, on and off all day.
If I have sufficient progress, I'll post 'em later!:~)
Some are frickin' tiny!