Sunday, March 31, 2013

Sunshine Came Softly

Our weather has recently taken a small turn for the better but in the spirit of being way behind in my photo sharing, this post was written several weeks ago when I was exceedingly tired of the enduring winter weather.

It seems that through winter, there's only so much out there worth photographing. Sure the snow and icy surroundings can look nice - for the first week or two but after that, the season seems to wear thin pretty quickly. The one nice thing about winter is that the sun always seems to be at a low angle - never directly above as in summer. This makes for lovely lighting and intense shadows. On this day, I spent a lot more time snapping photos indoors than out. Below are a few plants around Frank's house.

screen seen through leaf
The sun was shining through the kitchen window where a couple of plants adorn the ledge. Its light was so intense, that it cast shadows of the window screen upon the tiny leaves.




plant leaves in sunlight
Another plant, backlit by the sun.




plant stem
The tiny hairs on the stem of yet another plant were illuminated.




indoor plant in sunlight
Same plant - a peek through its leaves.




plant leaf in sunlight
A different view of the same leaf. Do try and contain your excitement.




croton with sunlit
The croton is a colourful plant - often showing off greens, reds and yellows at the same time. Sunlight is peeking between the leaves.




croton2Another day, another view. The light shines directly on the leaves.




croton
And from behind, it shines right through them.




light through screen bokeh
Fresh snowflakes, sunlight and the window screen were responsible for this bokeh effect.




dead bloom in sunlight3Even dead blooms have their beautiful moment in the sun.

Wishing those who celebrate a Happy Passover and/or a Happy Easter. Whatever you acknowledge, just make sure the Easter Bunny doesn't Passover your house without delivering some chocolate.

More photos in a few days.

54 comments:

ADRIAN said...

These make a wonderful set.
I am not generally a Bokeh admirer but i think I may have been converted.

Dave said...

You amaze me Hilary, how you can create dramatic effects from such humdrum subjects. Brilliant! And well done - Dave

Gary's third pottery blog said...

How remarkable! I first saw the light through the window shade and plant and liked it then saw the red and green leaves and was like OH MY!

Betty Manousos said...

absolutely gorgeous!

have a happy passover!

xo

Brian Miller said...

oo digging the tiny hairs....very cool pics...enjoy the sun..its raining here...and cold....come on sun...

Mimi said...

Have a lovely, chocolatey time yourself Hilary!
The peek through the leaves was my favourite, it made me smile! Love the bokeh one too. Love how you play with the light.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I add a hearty "Amen!" to what Dave said. You had me at the first checkerboard leaf. Every one of these is stunning. You really should be making money with your photographic skill.

stephen Hayes said...

I love the way you've captured the translucent quality of plant life. These simple pictures feel very spiritual, perfect for Easter morning.

DJan said...

Oh, GASP! What incredible photos, Hilary. I am always gobsmacked (don't you love that word?) by your art. And Happy Easter to you in spite of the cold weather...

June said...

It is good, I think, to be able to see something beautiful even when you're worn out by cold and gray and . . . yucky stuff. A single leaf or stem is pretty much a miracle in itself.

TexWisGirl said...

LOVE your macros - the tiny hair ones were my favorite! just love your eye and your skill!

no chocolate in my house (on purpose), but i did break down and buy 'birthday cake' ice cream at the store yesterday - drove directly to my neighbor's, told her to meet me outside with a bowl and a big spoon and made her take some of it before i went home. :)

Tabor said...

You almost have a green house going on there. I like you resort to indoor shots and playing with the light. I do not have a good close-up lens so my work never satisfies me, but being an addict I will not stop. I will bet this little photo session made you warm!

Tabor said...

You almost have a green house going on there. I like you resort to indoor shots and playing with the light. I do not have a good close-up lens so my work never satisfies me, but being an addict I will not stop. I will bet this little photo session made you warm!

Ruth Hiebert said...

You captured beauty in unexpected places. I love the creativity of these pictures. Have a Happy Easter.

Russell said...

Lots of very nice images. I especially like the fading purple coneflower in your last photograph.

Certainly the sharp colours of the croton plant are most appealing in your photographs, too.

Always very nice to stop by.

Sueann said...

Your photos are so beautiful and well crafted. Always
Hugs
SueAnn

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

green is green even if it is hairy.....tee hee. Love your photos of indoor spring and hope for more. Happy today, jelly beans and chocolate wishes for you too. Oma Linda

Gail Dixon said...

Hilary, my gosh girl, you have some spectacular photos here! The bokeh in some of these is simply magical. Truly impressive. Hope you enjoy lots of chocolate today. :)

Birdie said...


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*: (=' :') :: Happy Easter! :::::::::::::::::::::
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Anonymous said...

I like the little hairy stubbles on that plant. Like it needs a shave. Very cute!

Red said...

So when you get tired of winter scenes take stuff inside. this made a super post. Now I did enjoy every one of your winter posts.

Lisa Gordon said...

These are wonderful, Hilary!
I especially love the last one.
It always amazes me, just how beautiful plants and flowers can be when they are past their prime.

I hope you've had a wonderful weekend!

messymimi said...

The one leaf where it looks like the sunlight is pouring off the edge is so lovely! It makes me want to reach out and cstch the sunshine as it spills over.

Kerry said...

Backlit and luminous, these photos are like poetry. Exquisite.

SandyCarlson said...

So beautiful, all. Your photos remind me to keep looking-with gratitude.

Out on the prairie said...

Save the best to the last, the last one really caught my attention.

Anvilcloud said...

So much of our snow melted in the past week, and it wasn't even terribly warm.

Phyllis E said...

Magnificent, Cuzzie. Sunshine on my shoulder always makes me happy.

Rita said...

I really, really love the backlit photographs!! There is something magical about them. :)

Leave It To Davis said...

Bravo, bravo!!! You are amazing!

Naqvee said...

HI Hilary.. your amazing pictures made me thank God for how wonderful his colors are! The warmth and peace could all be felt in these shots of yours. You are a wonderful photographer.
Lots of Love,
Naqvee

Leah J. Utas said...

Beautiful and brilliant, and most welcome greenery.

Liz Mays said...

The textures and light play are just fabulous!

Sharon Wagner said...

You really experimented with indoor light. I love the fuzzy stem. I personally can't wait for summer. Bring it on!

Wendy said...

That second to last one looks as though it's raining money on your window! Cool!
That "do try and contain your excitement" pic looks like either a flying pancake or some weird thing from another planet - lol - both meant as compliments. See what you can do with an ordinary plant leaf? You sure sparked my imagination!

Nice to see sunlight filtering through greenery on the windowsill. Maybe Mother Nature will take the hint and bring on some nice warm spring weather.

Dianne said...

I love the tiny stems!!
so sweet
and such amazing detail

Daryl said...

my mom brought a croton with her when they moved to So Florida over 38 yrs ago ... it had turned into a bush/shrub by the time we sold the condo .. i hope the new owners treat it with the same love mom did

EG CameraGirl said...

Lovely photos of what you found indoors. I enjoy the change of seasons and I'm looking forward to what spring has to offer, but I also find tons of things to photograph in winter. I guess snow and ice don't depress me like it does other people. :)

Linda said...

A belated Easter wish to you. Hope you have a great Easter weekend. Those are some great shots of the details of the leaves. I love the plant sporting such colorful leaves.

Kat said...

Never do I appreciate the color green so much as I do after a loooonnnggg winter. ;)
Lovely!

Friko said...

The ‘bokeh’ effect is my favourite.

Unknown said...

Hilary: I especially liked the light shining from behind the plant. First time I've ever seen plants photographed this way! Nice!!

sage said...

Beautiful!

Mental P Mama said...

So ready for green and sun!

Joanna Jenkins said...

The tiny hairs on plants always amaze me-- They are so unexpected and beautiful.

Hope Spring has sprung in your area.

xo jj

J Graham said...

Stems have hairs? How come I never noticed that before? I think I need a Seeing Eye Hilary to translate the world for me, since I miss so much beauty with my own unadventurous eyes. :)

--Crabby

Laura said...

Hilary these photos are amazing!!!

Suldog said...

You find beauty in the most mundane places. I envy that greatly. As always, wonderful photos.

My Unfinished Life said...

plants and flowers are among my favorite subjects..and you have captured your greens beautifully!!!

love all the images :)

http://www.myunfinishedlife.com/

Anonymous said...

Wow wow wow - magical light and fabulous shots!

(Still snowy here.)

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful composition and use of light in all of these. You turn the simplest thing into art.

Murr Brewster said...

I'll take a winter scene any day, just because of that slanty light. The first day in fall that I really notice the sun has dipped makes me so happy. I think summer is nice but overrated. Too much light! I think I come from a long line of short moles.

Fragrant Liar said...

The lighting really makes for an atmosphere that speaks to you. I especially love the duck "walking on water." :-)

lime said...

that bokeh shot is absolutely magical!