01 May 2017
Lens:
Click onto image to enlarge. Let me know your response to this photomontage. Prints are available upon request.
Pens:
Macro’s minimalism can produce a profound aesthetic and spiritual visual experience. Just as the Japanese are defined by their traditional use of stone and Zen-like mastery, the simple often bridges world’s that combine form and foundation, artistry and fundamental design.
This expressive eye unfolds human creativity and nature’s abundance as well as the dimensionality of what is made to be seen and then realized, only from a modest vantage point. Suddenly what was not apparent becomes remarkably persuasive and often provokes.
Simplicity is often poetry that is a promise for insight and meaning. Macro’s ability to lend a vision to what is usually hidden allows for the expansion of what is in clear sight.
It’s not just a reminder of time and space but serious interpretative legacy. Precious is not necessarily the goal. Simplicity can reign because it opens spaces that seemed invisible, unrecognized. But also deceives us to believe there is little else to contemplate or discover or revere.
To embrace this less-is-less-and-yet-more means that the search continues for clarification. The simplest of visual composition gives a gentle quality, focusing on small gestures within the subject. Those revelations do not have to be monumental but they can be.
In the Lens section is an example of how the small can be oh so large. On a recent walk I noticed a blossoming crab apple tree, one of the early bloomer of spring in my region.
The tree was cloaked in clusters–clusters that reveal simple florets (each 3/4″ wide) that as a macro gives the gift of nature’s tantalizing possibilities. These possibilities encourage the flourish of days and nights, the expansion of the landscape, leafing out of the season’s gifts, and the unfurling of hope.
Tip of the Week:
Regardless of your camera equipment the following article is organized to help the reader better prepare to photograph flowers. “How to Photograph Flowers” (2007), which is a post by Darren Rowse who is editor and founder of Digital Photography School, is worth the read. Then you can view the Digital Photography School that has a wealth of information.
Other entires for this week’s challenge:
https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/a-drift/
https://ohmsweetohm.me/2017/05/01/
https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/mobile-phone-challenge-nature-and-iphone-fun-facts/
https://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/merry-may-sayy-ds-nature-challenge/
https://chasingtheblooms.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-nature-3/
https://nowathome.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-macro-3/
https://wordandimagecollages.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/season-change/
https://netdancer.com/2017/05/01/13236/
Note: As always I welcome comments about this post or any part of my blog. My photographs for the mobile photography challenge are taken with an iPhone 6.
****If you would like to buy a print of any of my photographs or have any questions, please view the Contact Information found on the masthead. Thank you.
If you’d like to join this Mobile Photography Challenge, please click here for details and history of the challenge. If you have any questions, please contact me. Below is a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming challenges:
1st Monday: Nature.
2nd Monday: Macro.
3rd Monday: Black and White.
4th Monday Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Animals, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Objects, Panorama, Portraiture, Photomontage, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).
5th Monday: Editing and Processing with Various Apps Using Themes from the Fourth Week.
I re-read what you had to say about photographic minimalism. It’s very inspiring. I made another post in response.
Your response is humbling. I appreciate your comment.
I like your photography essays. They make me think.
Suzanne, thanks for the early morning ray of sunlight.
Absolutely beautiful!
Lovely to hear from you. I appreciate your comment.
I’d love to go to sleep on a bed of those.
Thanks for the smile.
“less-is-less-and-yet-more” – love that Sally. Beautifully simple yet complex capture
Tina, enjoy the blossoming spring days.
An edge-on view of petals, as in the view of your crabapple, creates subtle shading that suggests dimensionality.
Steve, I appreciate your comment. Thanks so much.
Peace and radiance. What a gem 🙂
Jo, I appreciate your comment. Thanks.
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Su, I tried twice to leave a comment on your post, but it did not take. Let me know if it does appear. Or I’ll try again tomorrow.
Sally, this is just beautiful. It reminds me of ruffles and petticoats-and truly, there is an art in seeing and it is important to “flex” those muscles as often as possible.The results as you show here and in much of your floral work is priceless!
Meg, lovely to hear from you. Your comment brings sunlight across my morning. Thanks.
The world in a single blossom I see it here.
I swear I see a snail among the petals
Carol, no snail, but a spring blossom, yes. Thanks, and enjoy your week.
Lovely pictures, which camera have you used?
I use the iPhone6.
Wow, its awesome, the results are superb.
I appreciate your comment.
Beautiful, Sally. Have a great week.
Elisa, thanks os much. Enjoy spring days.
This is a beautiful image Sally; art and nature photography at their finest.
Su, I’m humbled and deeply touched by your response.
What a gorgeous photo Sally. It has a really painterly quality.
Suzanne, I appreciate your response.
gets close
and personal 🙂
Indeed, thanks for your comment and visit.
Gorgeous, Sally!
Patti, lovely to hear from you. Thanks.
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Thank you so much.
That is beautiful, Sally. I love the soft texture and the gorgeous color. I do love that pink! 🙂
Linda, so many spring blossoms are white that I was drawn to the delicate color and size. Hope that you are enjoying spring and its surprises. Thanks so much.
We lost a lot of our flowers at the house due to the late freezes. But spring is all around and gorgeous! 😀
Linda, yes, that’s will happen. I’m always concerned about the fruit trees. Enjoy the unfolding.
Your photo is beautiful, Sally. It has a bit of a “watercolor” look it that works well with the color palette. Thanks for the link to Darren’s post. He has some spot-on tips for creating flower portraits.
Happy Monday,
Ω
Allan, I appreciate your response. Happy Hipstamatic-ing.
Thanks, Sally, I plan to do just that.
Ω
I have to round up some questions about the app and ask you. Some day…
A beautiful nature image with iPhone!
Amy, I’m always astonished at the ability of the iPhone. Thanks, enjoy the week.
Going into the heart of a flower/bud is such a journey of discovery. Who knew a crab apple blossom had such depth and texture? Happy Monday!
janet
Janet, I was entranced with its delicacy and uplifting character. Have a lovely spring day. Thanks so much.
Lovely photo, Sally. There is an art in seeing. To appreciate and manipulate perspective. To make complex simple and vice versa. Well done.
Lignum, thanks for your response and bringing such a smile across my morning.
Lovely!
Sue, thank you.