Flowers ~ Nature’s Kaleidoscopes

I can remember quite vividly when my fascination with flowers began. It was during a Biology class in high school – we were dissecting flowers and examining the various parts under a powerful microscope. I was absolutely captivated by the amazing world presented to me. The intricacy of design and the vibrancy of the colours and textures were incredible when viewed in such minute detail.

Since then, I have examined and photographed flowers extensively, always stumbling upon new varieties just when I think I must have photographed every available flower within the country!

A couple of years ago I acquired a macro lens for my Nikon camera and stepped out into a whole new universe of colour and detail. A journey into the infinite joys and challenges of macro photography began with the perfect subject – flowers! 

Photographing flowers with the macro lens is even more exciting than viewing flowers through the lens of a microscope. It is so exhilarating to get home after a shoot and download the images onto the computer. It is like a constant voyage of discovery, and extremely addictive. My family complain, often and loudly, that nothing is as important to me as racing to my office to look at my images!

Flowers have always been a source of inspiration to artists, with many famous painters becoming known for their use of particular flowers in their work. 

American painter Georgia O’Keefe is best known for her sensuous Calla lilies, Vincent van Gogh will forever be associated with his bright portraits of sunflowers, and Impressionist painter Monet is celebrated for his dream-like portrayals of water lilies. 

Monet is reported to have said that he owed having become a painter to flowers!

Every flower is beautiful. Even the tiniest grass flowers that we step on to cross a field or those annoying weeds that seem to spring up everywhere and we spend so much time trying to eradicate, have their own kind of beauty.

The humble daisy, found all over the world, is possibly the simplest of flowers in its design, but the infinite combinations of colour and pattern found in different daisies makes it a delight to discover time and time again.

Confucious said: “There is beauty in everything but not everyone sees it.”

My wish as a photographer is to expose that beauty through my floral images and to share the kaleidoscope of colours and patterns that nature gives us in the form of flowers.

“The flower offered of itself

And eloquently spoke

Of Gods

In languages of rainbows

Perfumes

And secret silence …” ~ Phillip Pulfrey

“Flowers are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out-values all the utilities of the world.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in Spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.” ~ Audra Foveo

"Let us dance in the sun, wearing wildflowers in our hair" ~ Susan Rolis Shulz

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~ Hans Christian Andersen

"There is nothing quite as inspiringly beautiful as a simple garden daisy." ~ Anon