“There can be wonder in even the simplest things. Sometimes it takes closer observation to see how amazing the mundane can be when you spend time considering it.” – Ed Lehming

One of the most satisfying aspects of photography is the ability to spend time with what I photograph, both during and after making the actual photograph.

The chive blossom pictured here is a prime example. I was out in the garden yesterday photographing some of the flowers when I noticed this single blossom highlighted by a single beam of sunlight. As I set the shot up and started composing the image and making sure it was focussed, some of the fine details of the flower itself revealed themselves. These details are not readily visible to the casual observer. They look like fluffy purple flowers. But when you look carefully and deliberately the fine yellow anthers are noticed as well as the complex layers of the sepals where the blossom joins to the plant stalk.

These details become even more noticeable as I process my image. The flower which is only about 3 centimeters in size shows every detail when viewed on a twentyone inch monitor, even more so when you zoom in.

I’ve really noticed this even more so with naturally occurring things, like plants, whereas man-made items don’t reveal any further complexity, which I find to be a very interesting and surprising phenomenon.

Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/2500 sec, f/4.5, ISO 250