PIX SO NICE WE HAD TO DO THEM TWICE

 

The same approach to the orchids as yesterday. These flowers are all I have in recent inventory. I wish I could at least wander around downtown at lunch time with my camera but I still don't walk that well. Time to see the good doctor for another shot.          

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DERIVATIVE OR INSPIRED

There are lots more pictures from the orchid show at the botanical garden. Some of them are pretty good, IMHO. It's not just about the color, though. I've always admired Robert Mapplethorpe's black and white photos of flowers. They are stripped of their hues and rely on line, form and contrast. They're gorgeous.

So every time I visit this show I try some of that approach in post production. Maybe it's derivative, just imitating Mapplethorpe's style. Maybe he is an inspiration, pushing me to find my own style in this genre. If you like the picture the assessment is up to you.              

NOT MY USUAL STYLE

Those of you familiar my work know that my eye is attracted to the odd, ironic and abstract, plus interesting candid portraits. Sometimes, though, I break down and take some purty pitchers.

The annual orchid show was at the Missouri Botanical last month. It was a different shooting experience from all those years I used Canon. I don't have a macro lens for the Fujifilm I use now (sooo mush lighter) but it has a flip down, up and out LED screen my Canons didn't. That makes me able to use new, different angles. I got a bunch of orchid shots I'll run through for a while.                      

ANOTHER SIDE OF SPRING

The air is getting warmer but the water in the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers is still chilled by snow melt from upstream. The contrast can create dense fog in the morning. Here, Eads Bridge vanishes in the mists. This makes me think of the half-way-across Pont d'Avignon. Eads is far more beautiful, IMHO but, um, it goes from downtown St. Louis to downtown East St. Louis, Illinois.

Shot from my office window yesterday morning.           

VOICES OF SPRING

Today's musical theme: https://youtu.be/s0sjS92tkNI .  Seen on Saturday in Tower Grove Park.