Flower Macro Guidelines

Tiziano

Brendan gave me a good critique of one of my flower macros where I used my new Tokina 100mm lens.
He suggests that the chiaroscuro effect may not be the best choice for flowers. This got me thinking. I'm a classically trained oil painter and am naturally drawn to light and shade (chiaroscuro). Perhaps approaching flowers in this way is not the best idea? I know that, when painting a portrait of a woman, I usually place the model in more of a frontal and/or full light arrangement. Too harsh or contrasty light and the model looks, well, somewhat masculine.

So, can you all give me some tips regarding flower photography?
I know that there are no hard and fast rules. It's art you know! But having never looked at much flower photography I am approaching this in the same way I would a painting. I am enamored with Titian (hence my moniker), Velazquez and Caravaggio and these kind of images flood my brain.
Who knows, maybe I'll start a movement!:ivar
Thanks.

Lord Vetinari

Very hard question - but think you are on the right lines, for me flower shots are very hard to make interesting as they are such common subjects. You really need to either work on angles or the light or both.
I consider myself fairly poor on flower shots as I have not got the patience to get the light right and often resort to taking pictures of bits of the flower which I find more interesting.
Some attempts of mine below on tulips which may give you some ideas.

Brian V.

Tiziano

Thanks for the suggestions Brian.
I quite like your results, very inspiring.