There is something really special about water lilies (g. Nymphaea)—it’s easy for me to understand why impressionist painter Claude Monet was obsessed with them. During my recent visit to Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens in Washington D.C. many of the water lilies were closed up, probably because of the extreme heat of the midday sun, but I did manage to get some shots.
The traditional white water lilies tend to have a calming effect on me. For those folks looking for a bit more passion, there were also some fiery red water lilies.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
It’s hard to avoid taking photos of water lilies.
Amen!
These are beautiful! !!! Did you take Ivone with you? She has been wanting to go and afraid to go on her own.
This was a totally unplanned trip on a Monday afternoon, so I didn’t have the chance to invite Ivone. Perhaps I’ll be able to go again sometime soon with her.
The first photo looks as though the lily is made of satin — stitched an filled, like a piece of fabric art. It’s beautiful.
Thanks. It struck me that there was a three dimensional feel to the lily, but did not think in terms of fabric art.
Always nice to see lilies.
Thanks, Chris. I am lucky if I get to see them a few times a year.
They are one of my favourite plants.. great examples here Mike
Thanks, Helen.
I know a lot of our “mentors” out there in the art world tell us to find a niche and stick with it, but I agree that trying something new and stretching our creativity is a good thing, too. I love these artsy images!
Thanks. I know that many professional work hard to develop a “brand,” a signature look that is uniquely theirs. For those of us who are amateurs, though, I think it is much more fun to dabble in different areas. What I especially like to do with my photos is share a view of the world as I experience it. I am by nature curious, so lots of things attract my attention. Almost anything can have “stopping power” for me. i.e. something that will cause me to pause for a moment and attempt to photograph it.