After three days with my new-to-me HELIOS 44-2 lens – whose front lens has been flipped in the “Petzval modification” to provide swirly, creamy bokeh – I’ve tried various subjects to get a picture that can rival my first attempt with this little piece of glass.
This was my first attempt with this little piece of glass.
Yeah, I’m still drooling over this image. But can I do better?
So I went through various flower and bud locations around the area – my girlfriend’s garden, the remaining tulips in Washington Park, some violets along a downtown fence. And although I don’t think I’ve had as much success with these images … I’m posting them here as a comparison. Because right now, the Petzval Dandelion is king of the hill for Competition Season.
That doesn’t mean that these other images are close to knocking that little white snowflaky flower off its pedestal, though.
Chuck The Writer 
Yes, as you said – background distance is key for the effect. Kinda makes the imagination swirl, as well.
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