Spring isn’t all a cherry blossom delight….
A pond at a public garden, choked with a heavy bloom of algae. Too shallow and still to support much life other than the algae, and littered with old leaves, it actually made me want to avert my eyes. The balance was off – there was probably insufficient oxygen to support a healthy mix of species. I used to garden for a living and I don’t like to see gardens neglected.
Still, there was beauty there, with the branches of a Japanese maple bending gracefully to the muddy water. I took a photograph, and later I exaggerated the softness to make it all about the drifting colors.
Bruised, fallen Magnolia petals mingle with last year’s dead leaves – beauty underfoot.
Also seen at the garden, intricate textures on the surface of a granite boulder. Instead of Spring’s pretty pastels, the boulder contained a subtly colored miniature map, almost like a view from space.
A clutch of tiny maple flowers glows deep crimson against lime green leaves. Looking up and peering very closely, odd bits of stamens and petals come into focus.
A Japanese maple’s dusky, thread-like new leaves stretch tentatively into the air.
Another view of the pond where fish don’t swim, frogs don’t vocalize and ducks won’t paddle. It has a beauty of its own.
Photos taken at Kubota Gardens in Seattle.
Love the reflections and textures
Thank you – it’s a wonderful time of year to get out – I just wish I could slow down the season!
Good set; love the last one.
Thanks very much – I’m glad!
Apropos of your photos of this pond, I looked in vain for a specific quotation that I’m sure I’ve saved somewhere. Meanwhile I’ve found this by the English philosopher Francis Bacon:
The contemplation of things as they are
without error or confusion
without substitution or imposture
is in itself a nobler thing
than a whole harvest of invention.
The quotation I was looking for said something more pointed about finding beauty in “bad” things, that we could simply enjoy that mystery. Sure hope I find it. Congratulations on finding the beauty in this bad pond—and elsewhere as shown in this post. I like how you use shallow depth of field to such advantage.
The whole notion of things as they are has interested me for a long time. In zen, just this. But I’m very two-sided, and happy to tweak and play with images. It’s a two stage process, isn’t it, because you’re in one state of mind when you take the photo, but you might go somewhere else with it later. It’s way more complicated that that but I guess what I’m teasing out is that I mostly attempt to see things in a fairly straightforward way when behind my camera – no added embellishments necessary – but in front of the monitor I sometimes like to change it up. As for finding beauty in what others may reject, That appeals to something contrary in my nature, and probably yours, too.
You’re right there, Lynn!
Lynn, the two views of the pond are out of this world, the upper one, the one at the top of the post, in particular – its looks immensely like some sort of painting and quite honestly, at first sight it took my breath away – it is so immensely fresh, colourful, Impressionistic and vibrant. Adrian
That’s what I was going for – that impressionistic painting look – thanks Adrian, glad it worked for you. I scrolled through photos in Flickr that were inspiring before I started to process these – that helped get me into another space.
Yes, another space, I can relate to that – good thinking! A
For some reason, I thought you were an educator…but I am very happy to know you as a former professional gardener…that speaks of another higher-calling…and a gentle spirit with a longing to connect with our mother, Earth. Sweet photos, Lynn…even with the thickness and absence of other life due to the oxygen deprivation, the scenes with the water are beautifully captured….
I’ve done different things…but maybe the closest I got to being an educator was a brief stint as docent at the NY Botanical Garden…because I loved plants and thought knowing more about them was fun…but boy was it frustrating, leading people around who were only there to be led. Didn’t work for me! 🙂 The current work involves helping families navigate difficult situations with relatives, mostly older parents, who aren’t doing well, mentally, physically, emotionally. Families are fascinating. As are plants, to me anyway! Cheers to you, hope you’re enjoying a Spring desert walk right now!
We can sense you connection with and desire to be out of doors with all of the plants, etc…and I can imagine that frustration of leading those who were only there to be led. And it sounds like your current occupation can be full of frustration, as well…and sadness, in watching the Winter of those lives approaching.
Cheers to you, too, Lynn….and it’s actually been a while since I’ve been out on the trails…so I hope to remedy that soon!
a very beautiful gallery. You have a good feeling for colors and composition.
Two things I work at! Composition especially, and color – well, for years I couldn’t deal with it much, but I’m trying now. Thanks!
you’re on a good way
I think stunning is a much overused word in blog land but boy, the first and last photos have such impact and intrigue, working it all out, where the water starts and finishes. Fabulous work Lynn!
I like the idea of the first one next to your recent Iceland abstract landscape. Very different images, but (maybe) with some similarities in the approach. I love the really pared down look of your last posted photo. I live in a visually complex world of rampant growth, which makes it rare that I can find an uncluttered view – we have to work with what we have!
I do too Lynn! I can certainly relate to what you’re saying about your environment. The UK has become such a crowded cluttered place, Iceland is such a tremendous tonic, especially scenes like the one I posted last time around.
O do agree! The first and the last one are just pieces of art as the third one is too. You created something no one would have seen but you Lynn.
Oh, I’m not “O” but “I” 😉
Very generous of you!
There is so often beauty in everything. We simply need to invite new awareness and open our mind-set lens to new interpretations. Yours are lovely words and images.
I like that – open the mind-set lens. Thanks for stopping by –
This is exquisite !
Thank you!
I agree the stifled pond has beauty in a somewhat eerie way, especially when cropped into an image and thereby abstracted. My favorite of the series is the clutch of tiny maple flowers. I love the DOF you used and the bold color contrast paired with the delicate details of the flowers.
Wow, that’s great – it was a really, really tiny bunch of flowers, and it was hard to hold the camera still. I’m not a tripod person!
I don’t use a tripod either, so I get really good at breath control. I’m glad for digital so it’s easy to take lots of shots to get it right too. 🙂
The first pond shot is extraordinary – so painterly! Just goes to show that even non-traditional things (like an algae-filled, lifeless pond) can be beautiful if shot by someone with a careful eye… 🙂
Thanks very much, Tim – much appreciated!
Splendid! So beautiful!
🙂 !!
I love the first and last pictures! Have a good day!🍀💕
I think they have the kind of softness you do so incredibly well in your own work. Thanks!
What a beautiful comment💕 Thank you!
A fine selection, again! I love the variety of patterns, pastel shades and textures. n The patterns on the boulder are well observed.
I’m glad you liked that one – I had to up the contrast. It was a beautiful rock though – one that I’d love to bring home!
A really lovely pond and I love the maple leaves. 🙂
I bet you don’t see a whole lot of maple leaves in your neighborhood, do you?
That first photo is a gem! Surreal beauty… Kristina
Thank you for visiting and commenting – I appreciate it so much.
I’ve saved this post to enjoy Lynn and I most definitely have . I love as others do the painterly scenes you’ve created – the flowing tree branches and pond are quite quite delicious . Interesting to read your thoughts about re -seeing an image once infront of the monitor .. it’s a whole new creative step I enjoy too ! Gorgeous photographs Lynn x
Good to hear from you! On my way to Poppytump-land now… 😉
Incredibly beautiful pond images.They really are works of art!
Thanks so much, that’s very good to hear!
Lyn, you had me with the first spectacular shot . . . all so good!
🙂 Thanks Patti!
Ditto, 47 times!