toward a better image of the dahlias

OK--you all probably know that great saying. How do you get  to Carnegie Hall? Of course the answer is "Practice". Well after my last post on dahlias, I decided  I should try taking some better images of the dahlias on the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, MA.

Now it did not  help the last time that I was carrying a cup of coffee and a treat from McCuskers as I hurried across the Bridge to open my studio. In fairness I had not expected the dahlias to be so magnificent but I am not sure that is an excuse.

In any case, I took a bit more time yesterday. So without further ado:

So what do you think? Still room for improvement. Especially my views of the dahlias and the Bridge. Nice but could be even better.

Fun though. Do you ever do this--take a lot of images to try to get the right one? Any hints? And by the by, these were taken with my iPhone.

the riot of dahlias

OK I confess that my daylilies have been magnificent this year. But alas. The season is almost over. Sure there are a few still blooming bravely in the garden. Their foliage that wonderful green mixed with yellows and browns. What a welcome sight they are.

But still I felt the need for an intense deep burst of color and fullness that I was missing. So it was time to get my coffee and walk across the Bridge of Flowers. You see I am one spoiled color junkie. The Bridge of Flowers in beautiful Shelburne Falls is right in back of my studio. I can walk across it any day I want.

This time it was the dahlias that caught my eye. So many great colors and designs all standing so proudly in the sun. Yes, I could go on and on about the joys of each one. I could stop and take careful pictures to capture their glory and maybe I will. Tomorrow.

For now though I just need to revel in their splendor.

And you--do you grow dahlias? Do you look forward to them every year? What are you favorite ones? And have you made it to the Bridge of Flowers yet this year?