Flowers for Five

Recently I read that it’s a good idea to have a theme in mind and shoot photographs that speak to that theme. There are loads of ideas out there like Shutter Sisters’ “one word project,” and “365.” I happened upon my first photo theme by accident. I spied the most glorious pink roses in a big box store. I was surprised that this particular store would have anything like these flowers. They weren’t long stemmed, stiff roses or a clutch of fading daisies. These pink floribundas were ashes of rose romantically beautiful. As soon as I got home, I grabbed the camera and started taking photos while the flowers were still in the plastic sleeve. I took photos almost every day of the roses, right up to when the lovelies began to die.

 That was three weeks ago and I’ve been buying a bunch of flowers for around $5.00 each weekend. The second week it was red tulips and this week it’s creamy mini carnations edged in red/orange. I’ve taken photos of flowers at different times of the day, as individual blooms and stems and as bouquets. The camera gets close-up and personal in macros mode. I’ve fooled around with the aperture to see what I get. Over the past three weeks I’ve taken hundreds of flower photos, but only a few are what I consider even minimally decent and editing the hardest part of the process.

I stopped at Jo-Ann Fabrics for a few things. While looking at fabrics I held up a piece of gauzy organza spangled with tiny sequins. I wondered…if I covered the lens of my point and shoot camera would I get a filmy tone and a bit of sparkle to the photo? I ended up buying tulle and two pieces of organza.

Once at home I cut a square and held it over the lens with a rubber band. I shot the mini carns and was surprised at the foggy look. The sequins didn’t sparkle like I thought they might, but the result was ok. The tulle covered lens created a patterned fog when paired with the mini carns.

I wish I’d picked up some pale pastel sheers to cast a pink, green, or blue light over the subject. Maybe next time. So far I’m learning from my flowers for five project. It’s a learning journey that will only make me a better photographer down the road.

Have a great day!

Mimi