Shutter Sisters

up close and personal

By

I’ve never been a huge fan of roses – in my mind, there are many more beautiful, interesting blossoms. Still, when my husband Marcus suggested we plant a couple of rose bushes in the back of our garden a couple of years ago, I didn’t protest: I assumed that his need for roses was somehow because he’s English. Or something. Anyway, they’re blossoming now, and I took the image above this weekend. When I downloaded this shot from my camera, I was surprised at how little post-camera processing was necessary — I increased the contrast a tiny bit, and added some vignetting around the sides, but otherwise, the image remains generally untouched.  I’m shocked at how much more appealing roses are when you look at them up close.

Like most things, I suppose.

Today, show me some everyday things that stun you with their beauty up close.

(Crossposted at Chookooloonks)

 

Comments

  1. WOW! i’ve never seen a rose look like that. my sister has many rose bushes in her yard. i love them, because these roses look nothing like the roses you see in a floral shop—you know the typical ones you give. instead they look flatter and rounder—more opened up like the one you have so beautifully captured here.

    here is what stunned me this past week. i know everyone and their uncle are posting magnolias right now, but i had to post this shot. i wait for the magnolia trees to bloom every year! i don’t think there is anything more beautiful in the Spring time.
    http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-havent-seen-this-day-before-by.html

  2. oh, i forgot to say, my magnolia shot is an SOOC, too. somehow with magnolias on a blue sky day, there seems to be no need to process the photos.

  6. I love the imperfect beauty of corroded textures. Down at the pier, i get the odd perplexed look from the fishermen who cannot for the life of them imagine what my lens and I are doing getting all up close and personal with the hull of their boats! I smile and shrug at them, in that ‘I just can’t help myself’ kind of way 😉
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3001478642/in/set-72157607625768404/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3000632877/in/set-72157607625768404/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3001876431/in/set-72157607625768404/
    happy weekend, everyone! Vx

  11. i took photos at a farmer’s market on weekend and i was, like you, thrilled when i actually looked at them. the colours were fabulous. these green beans are framed by yellow beans giving them an almost surreal glow.
    the photo is on my blog, click on margie’s 365.

    http://www.soeursdujour.com

  19. Oh yeah! This is one of my favourite types of photography – I love it when people find the extra in the ordinary… especially when we get up close and personal. 🙂 Here are some of my favourites:

    Flowers…
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2267393480/in/set-72157606064294651/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2729891663/in/set-72157606064294651/

    Other…
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2609549430/in/set-72157606772577757/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3470964366/in/set-72157606967353209/

    Have a great weekend, Sisters!
    xox

  31. nature will amaze you when you look up close. i’ve been taking a lot of shots that fit this category but one recently that i am amazed by is this peony – no editing done – it looks like it’s glowing.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3459215591/in/set-72157613443592199/

    and this oak leaf hydrangea that i took early spring – i was amazed at the symmetry here
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3260024299/in/set-72157613443592199/

    and this tiny red bud burst
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3390389327/

    and i tend to agree with you about roses. i like almost any flower more than a rose.

  42. I am sooooo not big on roses, but I too have three bushes in my front yard from the previous home owner. one of them is miniature roses, which I actually really enjoy. love this shot you did. can’t believe yours are actually blooming already. mine might have died because of your harsh winter. 🙁