Closer, and seeing differently
I wasn't sure how I was going to make a small bunch of flowers given to me after a recent death in the family interesting so pondered it for a week or so. Over the weekend I looked at them, still alive well over a week after receiving them, and figured, what the hell, I'll just shoot them and enjoy the process, if they're interesting to others then great, if not, then also great, I got to enjoy the process and that's the most important thing.
It feels good to have a photography post up after a couple weeks of not doing so and I'm pretty happy with how these ones came out.
I'm constantly amazed at nature, how it works and the transformation from one thing to another, birth, death and rebirth in an endless cycle. It's quite beautiful to see and taking the time to become immersed in nature is something I really enjoy; I got that feeling doing this shoot and think it's cool to take a closer look at these flowers through a macro lens to see them a little differently.
Naturalist, John Burroughs, said, "I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order," and I can relate. It doesn't matter if that nature is in a vase in my home or somewhere far away in the wilderness, nature is a healer and I believe human beings are supposed to have a close relationships with it.
Thanks for taking a look at my post, if you have any comments please leave them below.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default; tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind - galenkp
[All original and proudly AI free.]
Every image in this post is my own.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III and Samsung S22 Ultra were used to capture these images.
Sorry about the death [hugs]
Nice macros, all that shooting gives the steadiest of hands? XD
I haven't done anything that could be classed as photography in the better part of forever and it always took me a fair few goes to get it right because they were always shaky/blurry or the focus was wrong, I was not very steady
Thanks for your thoughts, I appreciate it.
I have pretty steady hands yes, and it's probably partly due to my training and long range shooting. With macro one needs to be steady I guess and I play around with shutter speeds also which makes it essential. I use a tripod where possible but don't have a remote shutter release so use the timer a lot.
You say you've not done much in the way of photography...do you enjoy doing it at those times you get some done? Have you considered a tripod? Mine is a good one, but I got it second hand, so it wasn't very costly.
I think there's a tripod around here somewhere, photography was J's thing. He hasn't done any at all in the last few years either. I have access to a camera and his lenses (said camera is ostensibly mine as he got it "for me" but I only ever considered myself as borrowing it) but it was very unwieldy lugging the camera gear around (even if it was just the camera itself and a couple of lenses which was all I'd usually haul, he had a backpack full of I don't remember what) with all the kids' stuff so when phone cameras got good enough that's all I ended up using.
I did feel like such a pro with an actual camera though xD
occasionally the photos would even look pro
Cameras and lenses can be difficult to lug around which is why I ended up with the one I have which is a little smaller. It does the job I need it to do and I don't mind carrying it around. Maybe a photographer would scoff at it but I don't care; my camera isn't a reflection of me, just a tool.
I've had bigger cameras and lenses when I was taking shots at motor racing events (for my own enjoyment) now, I would rather spread the money around to other things as well so got my Olympus..it serves me well and has the right lenses so I'm happy to have it and not look like a pro. 😁
Real pros shouldn't scoff at smaller things, it's all about what you need or can get to get your job done. Sure better/more expensive tools might help but they're not going to compensate for anything and if all you need is what you have then that's all you need XD
Exactly! I'm actually going to photograph my equipment today, for a post, so all will be revealed.
It is simply beautiful 😍
Thank you, I like these pictures a lot...they show the flower from a totally different perspective; the benefit of macro photography. I had fun taking these shots and am glad they came out ok.
Beautiful pics. Macros always add a different dimension to photos. Just like different angles and points of view do.
Nature for sure has great healing powers. I hope it will help in healing the wound of your loss.
Thanks for your kind message, I appreciate it.
I like macro and do some when I have the chance. I'd like to do some macro of insects but they don't keep still. Don't they know I'm trying to take macro photos! I'll keep trying.
Beautiful flowers. I feel like it’s good for me.Thanks for your sharing.
Flowers are good for everybody so I'm not surprised you feel good about them.
Love the diamonds on what looks like the flower's lady parts in those middle pictures. I suppose it is inappropriate to refer to someone else's flower pictures as having lady parts, but I assure you it is complimentary. :)
I'm not at all offended by your reference to my flower photo's lady parts, and I think the flowers themselves would also not take issue with such references...however human women might.
As for the diamonds, they say they are a lady's best friend right? It makes sense these flowers are adorned with them.
I suppose whether the comparison is offensive to a woman might depend on the type of flower. The ornate details of a dandelion flower, or the silky petals of a rose surely must be complimentary. The flower of a pitcher plant...well, that one might be offensive ;)
I think flowers may wear their diamonds more beautifully than any of us humans.
Note to self: Don't make pitcher plant references.
I think you're right...but I also believe I know some humans who sparkle like diamonds. (Not that many, but some.)
I didn't know a family member died, and I don't know if it's still appropriate to send my condolences. So sorry friend.
What I love about your writing is how you're able to turn pretty much anything into amazing content. These photos came out really nicely. The attention to detail really makes it sparkle, doesn't it?
Thanks for your kind thoughts, I appreciate it and yes, condolences are still appropriate.
Thanks for your comment on this, and other posts, I appreciate you saying that. I think, and this just my thoughts on it, that people focus too hard on creating amazing content and they forget to be real people. None of us are amazing writers or content creators, especially me, but I present with passion, personality and effort and focus more on the actual content than what it might earn in rewards. I think it makes what I do a little more relatable.
These shots came out really well, the camera did a great job, I'm just the nutbag who clicked the button. 😁
I feel that the most amazing contents aren't the ones that has more votes or comments or showed lots of experiences but the ones that are a mirror to people's personalities, like the actual life they live.
I said amazing content because even though it may not be noticable to everyone, you chips in bits of your personality. Of who you truly are in your posts and that's more than nice.
Lol, Same difference. Not all nutbags can. Click buttons this good.
Yes, some personality and reality,
What can I say...I did an extensive university course on button clicking and passed with honours...so I'm at ninja-level button clicking. 🤣
Ninja-level yeah? Trust me it shows.
And no, I won't say what came to my mind either.😂
Buttons of all varieties are clicked with pizzazz. 😊
Now that makes for a wonderful thought, doesn't it?🙃
One must click.
Many don't understand. So many want perfection and neglect to enjoy the process. I'm always telling people, shoot, then you see. We have a delete button, we don't work with film and paper anymore, so no material loss. In the process you may learn as well, so why not?
Nice photos Galen.
I actually just wrote similar in this post's comment thread in reply to jhymi...people focus on the wrong things...it's best just to enjoy the journey.
Sometimes I take an hour or two to take these shots, like maybe 100 of them and present 8-10...I don't do that because 90 of them are shit, I do it for the enjoyment. Anyway, thanks for your comment I'm glad you like these shots. I like them too.
Lovely
Thanks.
Absolutely beautiful. The flowers and the shots, the latter pronouncing it even more. I especially like the 5th image.
This is giving me fashion ideas, haha.
Kudos!
The shots came out pretty well I think, considering I'm not a very good photographer I'm happy with them. Thanks for taking a look.
How modest 🙂. It was my pleasure. 🙌🏾
A beautiful gesture of flowers for the departure of your family member and capturing that moment as well.
I loved the pictures, I missed them already, I really did.
The 4th and the last one caught my attention.
We come from nature, we are part of it and being in contact with it helps to stabilize us. It also often speaks to us, it's good to listen to it.
Thank you Galenkp! Beautiful publication!✨
Thanks for taking a look at my post and your comments. I like taking photos like this, it's a challenge to some degree but I think the macro shots add so much interest to the flowers through revealing what the naked eye can't see.
I hope you're having a good day.
And I love those pictures!
I just came from a park, it's in the middle of a place of buildings but a park at the end, with trees, plants, games for children and bring mate.😂
You're a mate addict I think...I haven't got any yet, I'll work on it though.
Yes, I drink mate a lot of the day, sorry I laugh a lot too, is that what keeps me young and keeps me going? Maybe...
I just made some mate, good morning!
You're the mate monster!
When I get some I'll check in with you to make sure I'm making it right.
Smiling releases positive and healing hormones, that doesn't mean I laugh all day long.
It's raining here today and mate is great company, it always is.
Wow, those are some really nice macro shots. I don't think I ever really appreciated macro photography until I started hanging around Hive more. It's really opened up a new world for me. I don't do much myself, but I enjoy seeing it from other people.
Thanks mate, I like these ones too. Macro allows us to see what the naked eye generally cannot and it brings a whole new perspective to things, makes what might normally seem boring or mundane, a little more interesting. I'm not great at it but enjoy what I do. I want to do some bugs but those buggers don't stay still.
There are those that play dead for a few seconds though. Could that help?
Lovely and skilled captures. Your attention to details brings out an innate beauty that only patient individuals discover, which makes one fall in love with nature the more. Thank you for this and many inspirations.
Sorry for your loss. My sincerest condolences.
That's true, but one needs to find them at the right moment. I want to take sots of bees...and they don't stay still for long.
Thanks for your condolences, I appreciate it.
Haha, yeah, I hear you about the bugs. My phone has a pretty decent macro mode and lens, but I would really like to get a proper camera one day that I can have a dedicated macro lens for it.
Please allow me to encourage you to do so, like I did. It's been enjoyable and is something I will pursue more when I have time...I mean a course or two as, until now, I just fumble my way along.
My dad was a freelance photographer for a while, so I can always pick his brain. I grew up with a black and white darkroom in our house. It was pretty cool.
My grandfather was a photographer (hobbyist) but took it seriously with darkrooms and processors and all. I really wish I'd paid more attention as a kid.
I totally understand. Photography was something my sister bonded with my dad over more than me.
Getting older brings perspective and we can see areas for improvement, of course, some things can't be changed and we have to deal with it.
That Burroughs quote you give reminds me of this one from John Muir that I always remember: In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
Wonderful photos, man. You are making magic with that macro lens.
Both are good quotes and both true in my opinion. Thanks for your comments on my photos, the camera does a good job and I've got shutter button clicking down to a fine art. Lol.
Thank you, @galenkp, for this interpretation of the notion of nature! I spent my childhood in nature, somewhere in the country, and had a wonderful time, although now I think I often didn't know that at the time. Then I moved to the city and dazed by the city lights almost forgot about nature.
Now I feel the need for nature more and more but am frustrated that I rarely leave the city to be in it.
"Nature in a vase", your wording, has opened my mind and made me pay more attention to nature which is sometimes so close. Thank you!
Sometimes it's not until we don't have something that we miss it the most. I've been to cities that seem devoid of nature, just a tree here or there and I felt very disconnected from the planet in those places so I understand how you feel.
I think the good thing about what you say is that you miss it and that's an opportunity; it will help you work towards finding it, even if it's on a small scale, flowers in a vase for instance.
You are so right, we are so stupid, careless, or so busy that we don't notice that we no longer have things we used to like or care about.
Fortunately, I have more than a flower in a vase but I really liked how you chose to sound an alarm and give a very handy solution to those who don't know how to solve this problem. Thanks twice!