Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Thematic Photographic 45 - Floral


Red petals
London, ON, February 2009 [Click to embiggen]


My earliest experiments with artistic photography - way back in the Age of Film, no less - revolved around flowers. They didn't move and they didn't talk back, which made them ideal for a neophyte. Most of my pictures sucked. I didn't have the immediate feedback of digital, and learning with film was more expensive than my starving-student budget could afford. But I kept trying because the occasional keeper made the pursuit worthwhile.

I realized a couple of months ago that it had been a while since I focused on petals. So as an incentive to get myself back into the groove, I've chosen "floral" as this week's Thematic Photographic theme. As you think through your own floral contribution, please keep in mind that the themes are mere suggestions. If you want to share a flower pic, go for it. If you want to interpret it a little less literally, that's cool, too. The idea here is to expand our photographic horizons a little. Interpret your heart's content, k?

Your turn: Time to get shooting and sharing. Here's how TP works:
  • Every Wednesday evening, at precisely 7 o'clock Eastern, I post a new Thematic Photographic entry.
  • Each entry has a unique theme. This week's is...floral!
  • You post a similarly themed image over on your blog.
  • You paste a link to your entry in a comment here.
  • If you've already posted something that fits (on a blog, Facebook, MySpace, wherever) simply post the link to the existing entry. Old or new, all photos are welcome.
  • You may post as many photos or links as you wish. For the next week, I'll be supporting this theme with a related picture/posting each day. I encourage you to do the same. This is all about sharing, so feel free to share to your heart's content!
  • Please share this link with friends, too, and encourage them to join in. The more, the merrier.
  • And please accept my thanks for your enthusiasm. Your participation has made TP a true highlight for me each and every week.

54 comments:

hahamommy said...

I LOVE this week's theme :D
http://hahamommy.blogspot.com/2009/04/thematic-photographic-floral.html

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful photo. :)

kenju said...

Well, Carmi, I SHOULD be able to come up with a photo this week, right?

Mojo said...

Oh, I know the pain... working in film, not knowing, and just the expense...

But I have a hard time believing that your pictures "sucked". Maybe they weren't up to your present day standard, but there's skill -- which you can learn -- and then there's talent, which you were born with. And you, my friend, got in line twice.

You'd think I'd have a ton of these -- for the very reasons you mentioned -- they don't move and they don't talk back. But oddly, I had only a few in the archives... had to go out and get some more. But I'll lead off with an archived shot (although still fairly recent).
Thematic Photographic 45: "Floral" v.1.0

Lin said...

Hi Carmi,
I have lots of pictures of flowers, I'm an avid gardener. But, I went for more of a Spring theme, hope you like it! http://ups-and-downs-with-anastasia.blogspot.com/2009/04/thematic.html

bobbie said...

Your photo is very beautiful, Carmi.

Mine is up now.
bobbie-almostthere.blogspot.com

Hilary said...

That's such a beautiful photo, Carmi. That vibrant red against black. Perfect.

Reb said...

Beautiful colour and texture there! I will be posting soon.

http://sibupegasuspower.blogspot.com

Jax said...

I love the macro-gerbera. Very striking. Here's mine:http://writerjax.blog-city.com/thematic_photographic_floral.htm

http://aguthrieimages.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/thematic-photo-45-floral/ said...

Carmi, this is beautiful, the color is stunning and I like the crop and lighting very much!
You can see mine here
http://aguthrieimages.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/thematic-photo-45-floral/

srp said...

I have more floral pictures than anything else, other than birds and cats... oh, yes... dogs! This is lovely! Mine is here.

Jama said...

Beautiful shot and I love this week theme too. Here's mine:

http://mummyjam.blogspot.com/2009/04/thematic-and-ellipsis.html

Lynda said...

As simple as flowers are to photograph, not all photos are worth a moment. This one is gorgeous.

dennisthemennis.co.uk said...

Heres my offering

http://dennisthemennis.blogspot.com/2009/04/daisy-thematic-photographic.html

awareness said...

Carmi....lovely photo. red flowers are the most dramatic.

i'm having a tough time picking the pic i want to post! I went through a slew of shots last night and couldn't decide....!!! So, will jump into the flower foray tonight. :)

runicles said...

So many flower pictures to chose from ,and I guess that's the real test, picking the good from the ok,
hope that this one qualifies as good

Robin said...

Beautiful shot Carmi - the red is so rich without being blown, and the offset composition really adds interest.

Two more from the archives from me this week - my parents' visit ends Sunday night and then I should have a lot more time for shooting and blogging again. In the meantime it's oldies but goodies.

Watery Tulip - a bit of a twist on the floral theme

Of Serendipity and Remembering - scroll down for the photo, and then back up to read why finding it was the perfect cap to a very special evening

Glennis said...

Oh, what a great theme this week!! This will be fun!

Photo up soon at

www.doves2day.blogspot.com

Lulda Casadaga said...

Just lovely...now my search begins! :) Have a great weekend.

Linda said...

I always have flowers in my blog posts! I could link to a dozen, easily (and recently!). But I don't believe I've posted this one yet, so here you go!

FLORAL

Laurie said...

Such beautiful vibrant red. Beautiful composition.

Daryl said...

Nice ... I hope to play but I am thinking I might not be able to get a flower shot up til Wednesday... and I am going out of town Weds-Sun so I am posting ahead thanks to Blogger.. so check me next Weds. k?!

photowannabe said...

My last 2 posts are floral so I thought i might as well join in on Carmi's theme too. Come and visit.
Sue

Glennis said...

Took me longer than I thought, because I had an errand to run, but mine's up now.

www.doves2day.blogspot.com

and - oops, Lulda, I think I'm doing a Mexican theme again!

Beverly said...

I like your theme too. Spring is about to erupt for sure just as I'm leaving to go back to Florida. I caught a few photos for the theme.

Mojo said...

Thanks to some help from Kenju I've identified this next offering -- or more accurately, Kenju has identified it. So not mystery this time.
Thematic Photographic 45: "Floral" v.2.0

KM said...

Nice flower!!!

Here's mine:
http://inthemoment-karen.blogspot.com/2009/04/thematic-challenge-flowers.html

barbie2be said...

i finally fit in with the theme for the week again!

with easter flowers

Joanie said...

Consider this my entry for Floral.

Katie said...

your pictures are always so amazing. i will put up photos this week!! so springy and wonderful especially with warm weather finally showing up

Catherine said...

I have so many options I don't know how to choose. Here is a windowsill in Elie, Fife (Scotland)
http://poetrychook.blogspot.com/2009/04/thematic-photographic-floral.html
I will try and post more over the week, although I am fairly busy with NaPoWriMo (a poem a day for the month of April), so we will see.
Anyway, if you visit often, you will be guaranteed a poem, or a floral photo, or both

Elisabeth said...

Carmi, had fun looking through folders at images from past summer's. Hope you will stop by and have a look see. :-)

Really like your floral.

MorahMommy said...

Some of my favourite pictures are your florals. I love when you bring me a bouquet of flowers and then photograph them. Once the flowers are long gone, I still have their beautiful pictures to remind me of them.

sealaura said...

Hola! Great time for a floral theme. I have mine up. http://sealaura.blogspot.com/

If you guys have time I also recommend taking a peek at :

http://sealaura.blogspot.com/2009/04/monday-blues-12.html
and

http://sealaura.blogspot.com/2009/04/and-it-was-all-yellow.html

I can't wait to see what everyone else has done. Happy Friday.

And Carmi, I agree with Mojo, I too have a hard time believing your pictures sucked! You are a rockstar of photography after all :)

MaR said...

Love that red velvet!! beautiful shot as always.
I have a different flower, happy weekend!!

Mojo said...

I'm finding I'm grooving on this theme in spite of myself. Suddenly I'm finding flowers to photograph everywhere I turn.

Good thing the weather's already turned down here eh?

Thematic Photographic 45: "Floral" v.3.0

Pamela said...

Here is my FLORALYour choice of photo is very artistic. Makes me think of a flamenco dancer!!

I'm afraid I just took some spring shots.

Glennis said...

Another floral for me - floral in glass.

www.doves2day.blogspot.com

awareness said...

WOW! Lots of participants this week! I love it. Flowers just bring out the smiles in all of us, especially after a long long long winter.

Here is my bouquet....sorry it's a bit late. I could decide which photos to post.

http://mayfairplace.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-glowing-faces.html

Elisabeth said...

Yikes...Somehow my link didn't happen, so here it is:

http://creativitybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/2009/04/floral-thematic-photographic-45.html

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

I've been "Buzzing Around The Garden" this week!

Catherine said...

Here's another one
a sunflower from Avebury in England (near Stonehenge)
http://poetrychook.blogspot.com/2009/04/thematic-photographic-floral-2.html

Anonymous said...

Mine will be up Monday morning at 0500 EDT:
http://kcinnova.wordpress.com/2009/04/20/thematic-photographic-45-floral/

Glennis said...

I posted a floral photo without making it Thematic! Ooops. But here it is, along with the story that goes with it.

http://doves2day.blogspot.com/2009/04/mariposa-lily.html

momemts in time said...

Sorry it is late it has been busy...

Here is my offering under floral

docemdy said...

I'm in!

http://capturedbeat.blogspot.com/2009/04/late-bloomer.html

Unknown said...

Breathtaking.

Unknown said...

A little late but I played! Thanks for the inspiration!

http://thepaganeye.blogspot.com/2009/04/thematic-photographic-floral.html

Pam said...

managed to take a floral pic while in victoria one day last week Floral

Lin said...

I'm back to enter more of my blooms! http://ups-and-downs-with-anastasia.blogspot.com/2009/04/thematic-photographic-45-floral.html

Anonymous said...

I'm only starting my spring themed week as the flower theme is wrapping up, but I just posted a flower shot yesterday, and will post a few more throughout this week. Here is a link to yesterday's photo:
http://lovefromprague.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/chryzant/
Happy Spring!

sealaura said...

Hi Carmi,

I have scheduled my What flowers mean to me for wed at 6am Pacific time. I hope you can stop by. They are flowers from my casita. your rose shot is fabulous BTW.

Mel Fraase said...

It's been a while, but I wanted to participate!! Here's my photo, admittedly I took some liberties with the theme...

http://fraasefamily.blogspot.com/2009/04/three-weeks-ago.html

Thanks Carmi!!

MB said...

I love the color saturation in your floral photo.

I know I'm late to the floral party but I figured better late than never.

I miss shooting film and the excitement of getting the film developed to see what kind of light you caught. Of course, it is much less expensive to have instant gratification with digital.

I love looking at your photos and seeing everyone's view of your weekly themes. You can check out my floral photo at
http://finallyfiguringitout.blogspot.com/2009/04/thematic-photographic-floral.html