Thursday, November 29, 2007

Open Challenge

Going Petal To The Mettle

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


I've been waiting weeks for the right time to capture this sequence. What I wanted to do was take a photograph at the same time, every day, of the same rose as it unfurled. I experimented with different colours, different varieties and different angles. The first shot in this sequence (above) was taken on Friday afternoon.


This is the second shot (above) in the sequence, taken on Saturday afternoon. Have a look at the centre of the rose. It is pure symmetrical perfection, as each individual petal forms an elegant pattern in synch with all the others. You'll see that the real change from the day before is in the mid-section of the bloom, with a little movement in the centre as well.


But the third shot, taken on Sunday afternoon, shows the clear result of the hotter weather. The rapid progression is quite dramatic. The rose has suddenly reacted to the sunlight and the heat, revealing itself in all its buttery splendour. For the record, it was a climbing Freesia and yes, they are as fragrant as they are beautiful. I hope you like this pictorial experiment. Do let me know ....

34 comments:

Bradley's Mom said...

David:

NEVER, EVER have I seen a more beautiful rose!

You are truly a master at capturing nature's beauty.

WOW!!! Simply magnificent!

Linda

Rachel said...

David, those are stunning!
My MIL's favorite flowers were roses and she had an amazing Green thumb. The woman could grow a pineapple in South Texas, it was crazy.
Those made me smile and think of her.
You are so talented. Truly.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for you comments :-) It is absolutely the Sydney and Australia Connection!

lime said...

i LOVE the progression. I think it would be interesting to do this series over a longer period. from bud to wilt.

Patty said...

It's beautiful, I love yellow roses. Of course to me the second day shot is the most perfect.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

What an ingenious idea!

Burfica said...

That was awesome!!!!! I do notice them change when I have flowers, but to see it day by day in photo's very cool.

Desert Songbird said...

Absolutely stunning.

(I had to think about the fact that as we're moving into winter in the northern hemisphere, you are moving into summer.)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful flower and what patience you have.

imac said...

Nice going David, think I like the 1st cause of the petals in the middle.

Need your expertise on my blog please.

Misty DawnS said...

Oh my ... this is absolutely gorgeous David! WOW!

captain corky said...

Phenomenal pics. I'm a really big fan of the second pic.

M@ said...

Nice job. It's amazing how quickly some of these plants move!

Craver Vii said...

It's hot and sunny. It's buttery. What's not to like?

imac said...

Many thanks for your expert advice David, much appreciated.
I have added 1 more attempt, if and when you pass by, thanks.

Craver Vii said...

Me again. May I offer a suggestion for improvement? You need to develop a "scratch & sniff" image, so we can smell the rose as well. Other than that, it's perfect!

By the way, I tried duplicating your picture of the reflection in a coffee cup. It wasn't as nice as yours, but it's still great fun. You're an awesome teacher!

fuzzbert_1999@yahoo.com said...

Nice sequence and color David.

Jeni said...

Those pictures, that rose - absolutely stunning! And I love, just love, yellow roses too! Thanks so much for sharing that piece of beauty. (And being able to watch it unfold too -magnificent.)

John said...

Beautiful shots, David. Very neat concept youve come up with. I can't wait for spring now!

Lynilu said...

Beautiful, David. I loke the first two pix. I'm a real fan of rose buds, not so much of the full blooms. Thanks for sharing those with us!

Corey~living and loving said...

what a fun little experiment. I do stuff like that...only with a rotting apple. LOL your is much prettier.

BRUNO said...

I favor pic #3. Or any of them! Beautiful!

(Yes, even MY crusty-hide enjoys flowers! But don't tell anyone---I've got a reputation to protect...!)

Stacy said...

Wow... David, you've outdone yourself. I can almost smell them. Thank you for sharing these perfect shots.

CamiKaos said...

that rose is stunning, and the photos do really capture that.

FHB said...

Beautiful. Loved them.

gs said...

terrific pictures.i admire your patience,diligence and camera skills.the yellow roses are lovely and one can keep coming back to them again and agan.

Melissa said...

Beautiful photos David. Wonderful idea too, my favorite is the second photo, it's gorgeous, the color, everything!

Catmoves said...

Great idea, great shots. More, David, more.

Roxy said...

LOVED the simple beauty of this rose...no need for props there! You captured natures beauty at its best. Lovely ..indeed.

Unknown said...

Thats marvelous David! Great shots!

Can I ask you what camera do you have?

Grandy said...

That was beautiful, David. Thank you for sharing.

i beati said...

Its funny there is a yellow rose , the common but lovely peace rose, and then there is the brilliant buttercup one - Hello here it is. I have one ion my side garden, It's like it's saying, "look at my depth of color shiningi'll outbloom you lesser yellows"- though all gorgeous. I have a violet rose with a similar attitude.

mahina said...

what a fun project! i'll have to remember this once we thaw out up here and get new blooms!

beautiful!

mindyluwho said...

Roses are my favorite flower. I love the progression here, and I especially love the last one in full bloom.

Your photography is a pleasure to view each day!

Berni said...

That was a great idea David, and beautiful photographs.