Happy Spring from a Calla Lily
Finally, it’s spring. For those of you for whom this relates, also let me wish you a Happy Easter. It’s still cold outside though and the flowers are only beginning to take a stand. As such, I retreated to the studio for some spring time inspiration. Nothing over the top, went over to Stop and Shop and picked up a Calla Lily. This plant though was a real trooper.
However, without realizing it, I have left myself open to a major charge of copycatitis. I am a regular follower of the blog of Stephen Gingold who is a superb nature and fine art photographer located in western Massachusetts, not far from the Quabbin. He just posted a stunning black and white flower image, something he has done before. I didn’t really copy him, but have sure been inspired by his by his use of black and white photography to capture the wonderful lines and textures of flowers. If you want to see Stephen’s incredible black and white flower work (among other subjects), click here.
Why black and white flower photography? Good question. This particular subject has lovely magenta petals.
I think every photographer would have to address that question on a personal level. I am in love with the design of flowers, much as I am in love with the design of the dam and dike at the Quabbin Reservoir. Flowers though are natural. Close to being perfect, but that wouldn’t be natural.
The flowers are alike, and they relate to one another, yet they each have their own identity. Nature really blesses us with incredibly appealing designs, flowers are among her greatest hits in my view. But we tend to think about the beauty if flowers (I should say I tend to think) as been largely related to their wonderful colors. But there is much more.
In this sense, I think, black and white (or in this case monochrome since these images are actually sepia) represent another window on one of nature’s most intriguing mysteries: the beauty of flowers. Enjoy the nice weather.