Tiny Stories Collection: A Little Springtime

She liked the way the colours came out for spring. They were creative spiralling things, colours. They shaped themselves into petals and butterfly wings. It was a great performance. Who needed ballet tickets when nature put this on for free?

***

I found the seeds at the back of the flower shop. No brand, no logo, just a plain white envelope with a handwritten label: “Prince. Tall, dark and handsome. Expires at midnight.”
I took them home to see what grew.

***

In the garden of the house where nothing grew, a small white flower had appeared. Against a backdrop of shadows stained with pain, its petals unfurled. The neighbours kept it alive with tears and stardust. It’s a sightseeing spot now. The flower. The note. “I’m sorry”.

***

Microfiction: Moon Pearl

I bring the moon to work with me. It’s a pearl in my pocket, or a balloon tied to my pinky. Every now and then, in the moment between a tick and a tock, I allow myself a sweet dream or two.

Haiku + Graphic Design: Abandoned

abandoned asylum
the electricity
of silence

Photography: Moody Evening

I was trying for waterdrop reflections again. I wasn’t successful, but I did manage to get this rather moody shot of a water drop clinging to a flower stalk. If you’re wondering about the lighting…I tried for so long, the sun actually set on me 😅

As a side note, this is one of the things I love about photography. You set out with a defined purpose, but along the way there is so much inspiration to be found. You might end up experimenting with something that wasn’t even on your mind when you started.

Photography: Waterdrop on a Hibiscus Petal

I love the rich red colour of these hibiscus petals. I didn’t have much luck getting the water drops to stay where I wanted them to – lots of slipping and sliding. They were going to go where THEY wanted to go, photographer be damned. I was quite taken with this shot though.

Microfiction: Resolution

This New Year, I have a resolution : I’m going to be a doer, not a dreamer. I’m going to exercise, eat healthy, get my dream job, and leave my toxic relationship. I can’t start today though. I’ll do it tomorrow.

Waterdrop Photography: Dahlia Reflection

One of my current interests is waterdrop refraction photography. It’s tricky business, but rewarding. I wasn’t expecting to capture this reflection of a dahlia flower. Now I’m determined to get more shots like this. I’ve got a dropper, some glycerine, a garden bursting with summer blossoms, and a truckload of motivation. I can’t fail, right?

Abstract Photography: Jacaranda Blossoms

We’ve been creating abstract art, my macro lens and I. My previous experiments with intentional camera movement produced somewhat dismal results, but I’m having better luck with defocusing and selective focus techniques.

These are jacaranda blossoms blowing in the wind. At the right of the photo, there is one small piece of blossom that is in focus.

Microfiction: Rebels

“You knew I was having an affair with your wife?!” The king was shocked.
“Of course, sire. And while she kept you busy, I armed the rebellion.”
The knight smiled. His wife smiled. Metal glinted.

Photography: Mischief in the Garden

I’ve been up to mischief in the garden. This summer I finally got my hands on the macro lens I’ve been eyeing. It’s a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM, and it’s taken up the role of my partner in crime for photography shenanigans.

Also, if you were wondering, yes it IS possible to stick a new lens like this one onto a prehistoric DSLR from 2016. I’m sure a newer camera could produce images of a superior quality, but I’ve been pretty pleased with what my fancy lens/dinosaur camera combination can do.

I doubt I’ll be making the National Geographic any time soon (or probably ever, ha), but I get to create visual art, and that’s an amazing feeling for me.

I’m really letting my creativity loose this time, experimenting with different styles and techniques, as well as subjects. When I went through my first photography phase back in 2016/17 I felt that photography as an artistic medium was limited. I see my mistake now. Photography was never limited. I was limited. I had rigid ideas about what photography was and wasn’t, and that’s what was holding me back.

I’m now at the stage where I’m comfortable shooting in full manual mode. In fact, I prefer full manual. It gives me the creative control I need to produce art that vibes with my soul.

I’m excited to share my pieces with you guys. This post features the very photogenic Coreopsis grandiflora plant (also known as large-flowered tickseed).