Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: Chris Calohan on July 07, 2014, 07:09:25 pm

Title: Full Circle
Post by: Chris Calohan on July 07, 2014, 07:09:25 pm: My sunflowers have grown, budded, bloomed and recently began the process of dying...and now they are gone

"Death Rides a Pale Horse"
Title: Re: Full Circle
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on July 08, 2014, 12:25:12 am: Chris,

I hope you have seen Paul Caponigro's book "Sunflower."
They make great subjects at every point in their lives, as you have shown.

Eric
Title: Re: Full Circle
Post by: francois on July 08, 2014, 04:04:44 am: Looks like it's the end…
I'm curious but what's the shape in the background, just behind the the sunflowers?

Edit: typo correction
Title: Re: Full Circle
Post by: Chris Calohan on July 08, 2014, 04:06:58 am: Quote from: francois on July 08, 2014, 04:04:44 am
Look like it's the end…
I'm curious but what's the shape in the background, just behind the the sunflowers?

It's just a rectangular piece of black foam core board. Indeed, it is the end.
Title: Re: Full Circle
Post by: luxborealis on July 08, 2014, 07:53:07 am: I would imagine there are still a few compelling photographs left in them - from what I see of this photo, there are some great shapes and textures and draining colours.
Title: Re: Full Circle
Post by: petermfiore on July 08, 2014, 08:01:02 am: Also a great book on the subject is David Douglas Duncan's book "Sunflowers for VanGogh".

http://www.amazon.com/Sunflowers-For-Gogh-Douglas-Duncan/dp/0847807649

Peter
Title: Re: Full Circle
Post by: Chris Calohan on July 08, 2014, 11:08:36 am: Quote from: petermfiore on July 08, 2014, 08:01:02 am
Also a great book on the subject is David Douglas Duncan's book "Sunflowers for VanGogh".

http://www.amazon.com/Sunflowers-For-Gogh-Douglas-Duncan/dp/0847807649

Peter

I have this book...I still have a whole new crop coming in so will start to play with life imitating art...
Title: Re: Full Circle
Post by: owenn01 on July 10, 2014, 10:06:12 am: Hi Chris,

So often we ignore the 'end of the cycle' with flowers and plants, but this image shows that there is artisitc value right up to (almost) the end. I find the placement of the flower stems and heads into these distinct groups interesting and I particularly like the framing of the lone, small flower in the lower part of the frame - be it by design or accident it's a nice touch and works very well. Is the lighting a little harsh? I don't think so, though it does produce some quite sharply defined edges, at least in the image that's posted here. I wonder if a little softening might work and go hand in hand with the theme of the image? Just a thought.

A fine shot though and I wonder if you made any other images at the same time, especially focussing on the rear of the flower heads as they give you a nice viewpoint of the stem and the drooping petals?

Thanks for sharing this and sparking interest in the whole cycle!

Kind regards, N.
Title: Re: Full Circle
Post by: petermfiore on July 10, 2014, 11:22:10 am: Hi Chris,

I do believe Irving Penn did a series on flowers on the various stages of decay. Worth a look.
This is his book on the subject.

Peter
Title: Re: Full Circle
Post by: Chris Calohan on July 10, 2014, 11:24:36 am: I did one lasting series I initially called "In Their Golden Years," but at the suggestion of a friend changed it to "Withering Heights." It is still, however the story of old age. I was recently contracted to do a portrait of a woman at a local nursing home and as I wended my way through the hallways, I noticed groups of old folks bunched in darkly lighted alcoves or jammed into a brightly lit window area...they all looked like these flowers: withering away slowly.
Title: Re: Full Circle
Post by: owenn01 on July 10, 2014, 11:40:29 am: Hi Chris,

Love the subtelty of the bleached shot - somehow so appropriate - and the tonality of the B&W as well; nice to see you've explored the range of options available and shared these with us.

Kind regards, N.