The Centre of Life

'Jewel Colours' ~ Centre of a Leucadendron flower

I never stop being fascinated by the interior of flowers, especially their intricate centres where the all important process of pollination takes place.

'Candy' ~ Orange Pincushion Protea

It is like entering an alien world, filled with incredible colours, unusual textures and amazing shapes and forms. Physicists say that the colours of flowers are very highly saturated and biologists have long believed that flowers use their colours as "living billboards" to advertise their presence to passing pollinating insects.

'Fairy Floss' ~ Centre of a pale pink Geranium

German Biologist, CK Sprengel, famous for his research into plant sexuality, discovered the secrets of flowers as a result of a recommendation by his physician to study botany as a way to overcome his depression. Sprengel was fascinated with floral biology, and published his popular treatise on flower morphology in 1793.

'Purple Silk' ~ Centre of a Jacaranda flower

Photographing flowers with a macro lens has given me a whole new insight into the world of colour, light and texture and a quest to show others what I see.

'Oddball' ~ Detail of a tiny grass weed

American painter, Georgia O'Keefe, who vividly portrayed the power and emotion of nature, said "Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven't time and to see takes time." 

Peruvian Lily up close

She believed her purpose was to convey the beauty of nature to her audience. "When you take a flower in your hand, and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else..."

'Pink Jellyfish' ~ Bottlebrush flower

"...Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it, whether they want to or not."

'Floral Explosion' ~ Centre of a Delphinium

'Blue skies above' ~ Hibiscus Stamens

Bright Pink Cockscomb

'The world within' ~ Cardi Folium

White Magnolia centre

'Fuzzy Feet' ~ Snapdragon buds

'Inside Story' ~ Tulip stamens

'Ivory Butterflies' ~ intricate design of the simple Grass Clover

'Microworld' ~ Single bud of a Grevillea flower

Inside the crown of a King Protea

Agapanthus Buds

Arum Lily

'New Life' ~ Unfurling Poppy

Gerbera

Images are available from the gallery at http://www.fine-art-photo.net and can be ordered as greeting cards, mounted or framed prints, posters and canvases.