I visited North Common Meadow, a Trustees of Reservations property in Petersham, MA this morning. The temp was cool and not a lot was happening. However, I saw this cattail stem and a leaf along with a couple of others and allowed the flash to set it apart from the background.
It’s just a little different from the usual. I am enjoying the flash more and more but will not overdo it. 🙂
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
As I have thought about this image, it occurred to me that I might have been channeling an early influence. Along with Ansel Adams, Eliot Porter, etc. Freeman Patterson was very influential in my self- instruction. The first of his books had a similar cover and while I don’t think he came to mind as I wandered the meadow maybe subconsciously I saw this.
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After following your link, I think you might well have been subconsciously remembering that Freeman Patterson cover.
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It is possible which is why I mentioned it. Everything we have experienced in life is carried in our subconscious although we rarely recognize it.
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Nice Steve! Interesting image! What flash are you using?
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Thanks, Reed. I am using the Yongnuo YN24EX. At one time I had the Canon twin flash but it got damaged and I never replaced it. Now it is ridiculously expensive.
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Very Zen! 🙂
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Probably another result of my subconscious. 🙂
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Once I saw the letters “KI” in it, I can’t look at it without seeing them.
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For krikit?
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I don’t think that crossed my mind at the time, but anything’s possible, and the krikits are admittedly always chirping away in my subconscious.
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I’ll bet you weren’t expecting this either! And Steve Gingold beat me to it. More of this please!
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Despite my usual realistic bent in my compositions I do approach abstracts on occasion. I’d like to think I beat you to it. 🙂 Would you like me to edit?
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You did beat me to it.
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Well, maybe you should do more abstracts. I like this one a lot. You may have thought to take this photograph because of having seen Patterson’s photo, but the composition and color are all yours. I once put a bunch of dandelions in a small traditional bean pot and couldn’t stop thinking about how right they looked. Then I remembered this painting: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/vincent-van-gogh-sunflowers.
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That is AWESOME! Linda. Dandelions in a flower pot. Who does that? I try to get Mary Beth to appreciate ours but she just sees them as taking over. But she has relented for their early flowering so the bees have some food sources while waiting for the others flowers to follow.
Sometimes it is hard to tell where our inspiration comes from. I know much of my seeing has been both learned from others and experienced on my own. I will do more as the opportunities arise. I admit to being a realist first but do sometimes see beyond that.
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It’s a nice composition, and the colors are pleasing. I wish I could put my finger on what it is about your flash photos that makes them just a little less appealing to me. I don’t think it’s that they’re your photos, precisely. It’s the flash. Someday I may figure out what it is. In the meantime, I’ll just enjoy all the detail — and the surprises, like this one!
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I would guess it could be one of two things, Linda. The backgrounds often are unnaturally dark.I try to find a naturally dark background for portraits, especially flowers, but when flashed it is obvious. The other might just be the overall quality of the light. I have to try diffusing the flash which might help with the second possibility and maybe help a little with the first. Glad that despite that you are enjoying the looks at insects and the occasional other subjects.
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I love it. But you would guess that.
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Thanks, Lynn. I wish I would see more of this. Teach the vision.
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For me, when I spend time looking at abstract art or traditional Japanese art, it puts my mind more in a place where finding this kind of composition when I go out into the chaotic world of nature becomes more likely. A little bit of conscious intent helps too, though that always falls by the wayside as I wander and become absorbed in what I see.
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My intent, like yours, falls by the wayside once I see the stuff that easily distracts me. Oh, look…bright light. 🙂
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