You make the call.

[jim blanford]

This is P. Black Cherry X sukhakulii. Very hard to photograph, so I did it two ways, next I'll try it with the outside as the b/g. see what you think.... Jim.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I think the second picture has better contrast, but the extremely light background is distracting.

The first thing my eyes land on is the blueish-white background.

[billc]

I like the first better, but the dorsal looks different in each. It might look real good if you you do it outside with a nice blue sky as the backround.
Then again, what I know about photography, wouldn't fill a thimble.

Bill

[BikerDoc5968]

I think, well that's the first mistake... me thinking... anyway, Jim, dark against light works because the dark flower color gets lost against the black background. Maybe go softer on the lighting to reduce the glare... maybe just a fill light or wait for a cloudy day or ????? The waxy surfaces are making it difficult, I guess... maybe use a polarizing filter. That might reduce the glare and intensify the color.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The lighting isn't a problem for me in the second photo. I like it actually. The reflection off the waxy surface of the petals and the lip gives it a sense of the thick waxy texture with the subtle veination and raised bumps. Idk, that's something I'd like to know about if I were looking at an orchid flower.

However, I think the background is too light. Perhaps a sky blue bg would work better.

[Connie Star]

Photography is one of my areas of expertise. I think the light needs to be more diffuse, perhaps by draping a kleenex over the flash unit, or better yet using an offset flash or reflector. What kind of camera are you using?
A polarizing filter would only be useful outdoors in sun around mid-day, when the ambient light is polarized. With a flash it's just a neutral density filter. In any case, your camera would have to accommodate filters.
I agree that a more neutral background would be better. You could try for a foliage background in soft focus.
If I have to choose, I prefer the one against a white background.

[jim blanford]

Thanks for all the nice comments guys, I know alot about what your saying about lighting, I was a cinematographer for almost 50 years now retired and all I use is a Canon p&s digital all auto camera. So here are some pics of how the b/g can change the pic, also a shot of my setup. Thanks.... Jim.

[Connie Star]

Wow, that is quite a set-up- I like the second one the best. Beautiful flower, by the way.