Beautiful colors and attention to shape. I agree zen can be found in flowers and in my mind you've captured it well. I think this image fits what the challenge describes and I get an immediate sense of calm wonder and harmony inside when I look at the image too (which is my internal trigger on whether I find a shot to be 'zen'). I love love love the lighting here, it really gives depth to the shapes of the blossoms and makes the petals much more than a 2D rendering, there is life and form here and its very well captured. The colors are amazing, very cooly toned which tends to help in serenity or calming emotions. I like the slightly duskier bokeh tone of the background too, its just enough to set off the vibrant color of the blossoms but not overwhelming to the point it shifts attention away from the subject. I think my biggest quibble would be to crop more from the top, maybe an inch or so.. I think that leaves plenty of negative space to frame the flower and the slight soft focus on a few of the foreground petals near the right.. not so much its a glaring distraction but just soft enough that it catches my eye and makes me wish it was just as sharp as its surroundings. Other than that I think the image is fantasticly subtle in its simplicity and just plain lovely. I gave a 9 and favorited.
...and I'll raise you a daisy! ;^) Very nice floral shot. Great DOF, nice color and exposure. Composed quite pleasingly. One problem (not for me, but for many voters)...it's a flower! ;^) Good luck.
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