These gorgeous photographs were taken by my friend Cheryl who is new to "the garden". She wrote a little bit about them below and is looking for feedback. Enjoy!
Recently I started taking photographs again, after a dabbling in various other media, and I am very excited about the results. Working with color and working with digital are quite a departure from the B&W darkroom days! Instant gratification has some advantages, but like with graphic design, the computer allows anyone with access to produce slick, though not necessarily quality, images. Being "out of the loop" for so long has left me doubting my own abilities. And although friends are very enthusiastic about my latest photographs, I know these people lack an experienced and discerning eye...
Please take a look and let me know what you think. I appreciate any feedback you have the time to give. Specifically, what, if any, feelings to they evoke for you? Is there anything about the image(s) that distracts you, or detracts from the feeling? i.e.--technical aspects or details of composition.I welcome any other comments or questions.
These are "portraits" of flowers. We've all seen pictures of flowers, so why bother? In my sketchbook some time ago I asked the question, "Can there be too much beauty in the world?" The answer is an emphatic "No." There is too much beauty that gets overlooked and/or taken for granted. With these, I have literally stopped to smell the roses, and there I found joy and wonder. Part of the joy is in the fact that most of these flowers are in my yard, and their beauty is present in my life each time I step outside my door or even look out the window, for that matter. I am drawn in close to investigate their colors, softness and light. Here I find even more magic. My camera allows me to view details that I am unable to see with my naked eye. This level of intimacy fills me with wonder at the amazing complexities of this "simple" form of life. What a gift, what a blessing, to find such inspiration in something so abundant as flowers.
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7 comments:
I love your flower pictures. What is most amazing to me is how something so silent can bring such color and beauty. Your pink painted daisy is my favorite. Daisies are simple and elegant. I love your work.
Martha Smith
Cheryl~ Your compositions are beautiful and I don't think that you are lacking any technical ability, that is for sure. The pink coneflower screams a bold, showy diva and has so much personality! In opposition to this I feel the quiet, shy, reserved "personality" of the last cosmo and the morning glory just speaks for itself in the unique way the light shines from within it. I imagine being as small as the bees and butterflies that are always buzzing about on my flowers.
I have taken a lot of pictures of the flowers in my garden and can appreciate the wonder that you feel when you are able to look so closely at nature. Drawing has helped me in this way as well, giving me a deeper appreciation of the complexities that we all share. Do you sketch them too? If so, do you have a different connection to them?
When you asked, "Can there be too much beauty?" I have asked myself that question as well in my own work. I think that artists are here to question these things and help people slow down and "smell the roses". Your photographs allow me to see the personality in an individual flower and have captured the wonder that you spoke of. Thank you for sharing! Laura
I am reminded of a quote from Alice Walker's The Color Purple:
Shug-More than anything God love admiration.
Celie-You saying God is vain?
Shug-No, not vain, just wanting to share a good thing. I think it pisses God off when you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice it.
Cheryl-
I love these photos! The colors seem to just pop off the page and are so vibrant they can't help but make your heart sing. I especially love the one photo with the sun shining through the back of the flower. It is so incredible it made me stop and stare for quite a while. I understand your adjustment with the film to digital technology. Although I am no professional in any sense, I have always enjoyed photography. It has taken me a little while to embrase the new technologies that are available, but now that I have I am excited about all the posibilities that it holds (many of which I still don't know about and need to learn!). That being said, I also still feel like there is something special about a black & white film developed photo. Perhaps both types have a place in our "artful world". Kudos to your pictures and keep it up. They are breathtaking!
-Liz
Wow!!! These flower studies are exceptional!! I have done photography too for many years and these are inspirational especially since I have resisted digital cameras for years. I am starting to see how their quality can work, the colors in your images are bold and beautiful! The petunia one is my favorite, the way you caught that light in the middle and the contrast to the green leaf is gorgeous! The orange flower speaks of the lush colors of summer. the eucanacea flower is bold and sharp, I love the bright colors! The pinkish flower with the tangerine colors in the middle reminds me of Georgia O'keefe paintings, soft and feminine. I think you have some interesting up close and personal studies of flowers, you have forced the viewer to be part of your observations and to appreciate the finer details that often get taken for granted! I also like Laura's idea about sketching them, I recently finished a drawing of orchids and I was amazed at the intricate lines in each and every petal! Thanks for sharing these.
Cheryl - These photographs are very interesting and would like to see more as you go along. I appreciated the petunia as well with the light, but the one that really caught my eye was the photo of the back of the pink flower. I have seen many flower photos but never the back of one. I wonder how approaching these flowers with that kind of eye and unexpected angle would be? Just a thought. thanks for sharing your work!
Tina
these flowers are so beautiful, you've captured something that's very hard to catch...the tiny details that make a flower so delicate, but strong, their colors and light.
the morning glory looks like it's glowing!
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