Shutter Sisters

Beyond the Bloom

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I love a garden in full bloom as much as the next photographer and yet I find myself equally compelled to capture the phases of plant life that are less about the obvious grandeur and more about the subtleties of growth and change; the various stages that celebrate the entire journey of life, from beginning to end.

Flowers in full bloom boast and brag through vibrant color and a round and robust shape, but as they wane they often leave behind curious shapes and textures. Petals soften and slowly let go. Colors change and fade as mysterious curves, curls and creases begin to appear altering the plant into something that can be even more captivating, more poetic than before.

And as flowers in their heyday boldly declare their magnificence to the world, the shrinking bloom speaks in a whisper, to only those that will listen, revealing it’s secret that the muted and understated offer an unmatched and inimitable beauty that deserves to be recognized and held in reverie.

Have you had the privilege of capturing a part of life (of a flower or otherwise) that might have normally been missed if it hadn’t been seen by your lens? Something perhaps less than perfect that murmurs softly of the unseen, proving that the delight of life can indeed be found in the journey. Do share it with us.

Comments

  10. And as flowers in their heyday boldly declare their magnificence to the world, the shrinking bloom speaks in a whisper, to only those that will listen,………What a lovely description!

    I have been really into capturing form after the color has faded….
    http://366photographicjournal.blogspot.com/2008/07/184-spiked-sphere.html
    &
    http://366photographicjournal.blogspot.com/2008/07/183n-vessel-of-light.html

    And then here is a TtV shot I roughed up of some past it’s prime cow parsnips, texture was also added.

    http://wayfaring-wanderer.blogspot.com/2008/06/e-n-i-g-m.html

  14. great post tracey, great perspective…yes, i have been thinking this lately as in texas our blooms are all but withered and burnt from heatstroke while i see flickr full of bragging blooms. it makes me search out the beauty like i’m on a hunt, and sometimes i only find one flower blooming but usually a few ones on their last legs. they are still beautiful even if not boastful, in their shy manner still standing proudly with curled petals.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2608831388/

  33. I don’t think I’ve taken many good shots of decaying flowers. I think I have a preference for life emerging – though there’s such beauty in the above photos that I might have to rethink that!

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnemily/2654323893/

    I do love things decayed though – looking to the past and thinking of a "life" well lead:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnemily/451820806/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnemily/414351721/in/set-72157594314794061/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnemily/2386783918/in/set-72157594314794061/