Normally I'm not sure how well I'll like an image until after downloading it to the PC and taking a close look. I was sure about this one from the moment I saw the possibility (it's all about light & seeing) - before even framing and composing the shot.
The house (siding/brick) was a foot behind this dahlia & not attractive - blocked it with a black backdrop.
With the flowers I planted coming into bloom, there's no need to wander far & wide looking for photo ops. Here's a few more from this morning (labeled 7/1/07) - http://www.pbase.com/ed_k/pad_2nds_year4
I'm starting to appreciate 2-3 of the Nik Color Efex Pro filters. Here I used the Grad Neutral Density twice - once to slightly darken the top quarter of the frame & again on the bottom quarter. Then for good measure I used the Darken/Lighten Center filter to further enhance the light/dark contrast between the main subject and the background blossoms and foliage. Luminosity adjustments such as these (Ansel Adams made them famous with his zone system and dodging/burning) help with one's "artistic vision". There should be no doubt where the photographer wants the viewer's eye to go on this image.