Wednesday’s Flower Gallery

It’s easy to miss the “ordinary”… As we consider it common or mundane, but is there really anything that is just that? Ordinary? I would say no, and that it’s only what we’ve become used to, and what we have learned to take for granted. Many of us would consider this flower ordinary, but is it? We may see it often, and for that reason we don’t slow down and take in its delicate pe...

While in Arizona… We would try to see if we could catch the sunset every evening. Some nights were more brilliant than others, but in those moments it gave us a chance to step away from what we were doing and watch the transition of color and light before our eyes. Since we can’t all step out our front doors to see one, here is another beautiful sunset that can be seen at any time of day.

What today will bring… One never knows, but what we bring to each day is up to each one of us. Some days that’s easier said than done for me, especially when I start my day getting into my to do list and feel overwhelmed. So, I’m appreciating how this bloom speaks to me about simplicity and beauty and the smile it brings to my face. It helps me to set my intention for the day to be gratef...

Roses are many things… Beautiful, sought after, fragrant, colorful, thorny, delicate, small, big, climbing, bushy, and can be challenging to grow. The one I came across in the desert is colorful, but very different than most, as it’s actually a succulent. Except for the bright hues and five petals, I would say it doesn’t much resemble a rose.

To paint the desert… Besides needing a canvas and brushes, one would require a palette of very neutral colors including various shades of tan, brown and subdued green. They would also need to have a smaller array of bright orange and red, variations of blue and purple, assorted hues of yellow and soft shades of pink to brush in the soft spoken and sometimes bold colors of the landscape.

I love to come in close… When shooting a bloom to see the details I would miss otherwise; to understand a flower on a more intimate level. But sometimes by pulling back my lens, I find my gaze is effortlessly drawn. With the focal point in the center and the soft blurred background, it makes it very easy to rest my eyes upon it. I hope you, too, will find a moment to breathe, slow down, and c...

Did you know… That bees can’t see red? It’s not in their spectrum of color. And did you know…hummingbirds can see red to help pollinate flowers that aren’t seen by bees. So I’m assuming that this flower will attract both!

PA-BAM!... After playing with a black background the past two weeks and getting very close to a black and white image last week, I thought it was time for a burst of color to hit your screen today. This proves once again that every flower is unique, and this one is colorful and vibrant with sensational curly petals to boot. PA-BAM!

For all the years I have photographed… Black & white photography has been my favorite medium. I feel I see more detail and facial expressions are more pronounced, allowing for the real beauty and sincerity to be seen that might otherwise be missed. Ironically though now, I primarily shoot in color, as I feel to capture the essence of a flower it needs to be seen in its full spectrum. Today’...

I shot this in my studio… That may sound fancy, but really it’s just my office. Placed in the center of the room are two sawhorses holding up a piece of plywood, my camera/tripod, three supported hot lights, a large roll of black paper, two thin glass vases and the stars of the show: two single-stemmed blooms. I set up this shoot to see how two vibrant flowers would fair against a black bac...