I recently had the opportunity to photograph some dazzling dahlias at a local garden. The colors were amazing – very intense in the mid-morning light. Some of my favorites to see and photograph were backlit dahlias with the sunlight streaming through the petals

A La Mode Dahlia – a striking orange, red, yellow and white flower

© 2012 Patty Hankins

It’s A Girl Dahlia – a beautiful pink and yellow dahlia

© 2012 Patty Hankins

© 2012 Patty Hankins

A backlit yellow and peach dahlia

© 2012 Patty Hankins

A lovely soft pink dahlia

© 2012 Patty Hankins

An orange dahlia – when the sun hit the petals at just the right angle – the effect was incredible

© 2012 Patty Hankins

© 2012 Patty Hankins

© 2012 Patty Hankins

And finally a bright red dahlia

© 2012 Patty Hankins

I love photographing dahlias. Does anyone know of any public gardens in the DC area that has any currently in bloom? I’d love to photograph them 🙂