Welcome to the seventh installment of the Tuesday Photo Challenge! As Spring is everywhere in the northern hemisphere, I felt inspired to doing a theme that comes with the season: Flowers!
Of course, the beauty of flowers in their many forms should make it easy to create a stunning photograph of them… Then again, what makes for a great floral image, as opposed to a rather pedestrian one?
I my opinion, the first thing with any flower photo is that it should be exposed properly, ensuring that there is good sharpness and contrast to the image (there are exceptions to this, when creating more abstract floral images). Composition should not be forgotten, as poor composition will detract from the power of the image. And a bit of creativity does help 🙂
Dandelions
For those who’d like to participate in this weekly challenge, the rules are the following:
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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26 thoughts on “Tuesday Photo Challenge – Flowers”
Great entry! Not sure why the pingback is not working. I just checked the post and pingbacks and tracebacks are allowed. Might be a glitch with WordPress today; I had an earlier issue with the Daily Prompt, but that appears resolved.
Great job Frank, I really like the sharpness and how it pops off the background. The fact that you can still make out the yellow dandelion in the blurred background is a nice touch. Yet another great prompt, looking forward to playing.
Oh that’s beautiful, Frank! Thanks for the challenge (and the tips 🙂 ). Funny thing is, I took a few photos of this one particular flower I found over the weekend. So I may use that…I’ll have a look. Blessings.
Hello all. Nikki at A Kinder Way put me onto this challenge, so this is my first entry. I live in the southern hemisphere, so with the arrival of winter, a lot of our flowers are dormant. So the flowers I have highlighted in my post were taken in the summer. All the best to you from Brisbane, Australia. https://thrumieyes.wordpress.com/2016/06/01/tuesday-photo-challenge-flowers/
Dutch goes the Photo! 
Much focused……
Thank you!
Here is my entry. (The pingback does not seem to be working.)
https://iballrtw.com/2016/05/31/tuesday-photo-challenge-flowers/
Great entry! Not sure why the pingback is not working. I just checked the post and pingbacks and tracebacks are allowed. Might be a glitch with WordPress today; I had an earlier issue with the Daily Prompt, but that appears resolved.
Great job Frank, I really like the sharpness and how it pops off the background. The fact that you can still make out the yellow dandelion in the blurred background is a nice touch. Yet another great prompt, looking forward to playing.
-Steve
Thank you, Steve! Looking forward to seeing your creative endeavor this week!
Oh that’s beautiful, Frank! Thanks for the challenge (and the tips 🙂 ). Funny thing is, I took a few photos of this one particular flower I found over the weekend. So I may use that…I’ll have a look. Blessings.
Hello all. Nikki at A Kinder Way put me onto this challenge, so this is my first entry. I live in the southern hemisphere, so with the arrival of winter, a lot of our flowers are dormant. So the flowers I have highlighted in my post were taken in the summer. All the best to you from Brisbane, Australia. https://thrumieyes.wordpress.com/2016/06/01/tuesday-photo-challenge-flowers/
Thank you very much for participating in this challenge. You have put in a great entry to this challenge,
Frank
Thanks so much for the positive comment. Glad that it meets the challenge. 🙂
You’re very welcome! Great to have you as part of our intrepid group 🙂
What a great photo Frank, so sharp, crisp and clear. This theme should bring in heaps of gorgeous pics 🙂
Thank you, Miriam! I’m counting on lots of great ones!!
Beautiful Photo and great theme.. Looking forth for all the flowers this week 🙂
Thank you! There will be beautiful images and flowers!!
I did it Frank! Thank you so much. I learned a lot. So grateful. 🙂 Have a blessed Sunday.
Great to hear, Debbie! I’ll check it out when I get home.