Lotus positions

July 12, 2021 by Mike Powell

On Saturday I traveled with a few fellow photographers to Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, a National Park Service site in Washington D.C. whose main attractions are the the numerous water lilies and lotuses in a series of interlocked cultivated ponds. It was tough for me to figure out how to tackle photographic subjects like these and I must confess that I spent a fair amount of time chasing after the numerous dragonflies that were present at the park.

Here are a few shots of some of the lotuses that I encountered that day. The first image is a peek through the petals at the distinctive seed pod in the center of one lotus. The second shot shows a lotus in full bloom. Only about half of the lotus plants that I encountered were flowering and many of them were beyond the reach of the lens that I was using or were in harsh, direct sunlight, so I was happy to capture this one so well. The final photo shows a lotus bud with petals that are just beginning to open.

I think it is good to push myself sometimes to photograph different subjects and to step outside of my comfort zone. It forces me to think creatively about what I am doing and how I am approaching the subject. Flexibility is a key ingredient in all of this, which seemed appropriate as I was trying to get into the lotus positions.

Posted in Art, Flowers, Gardening, Nature, Photography, Summer | Tagged Canon 50D, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, lotus, lotus bud, lotus center, lotus seed pod, Tamron 180mm, Washington D.C. | 17 Comments

17 Responses

on July 12, 2021 at 6:45 am | Reply Ann Parziale

Those are so beautiful it makes me want to cry. Thank you!! What a wonderful way to stay the day in rainy NH.
on July 12, 2021 at 6:53 am | Reply joyroses13

So lovely!! Glad you went out of your comfort zone.
on July 12, 2021 at 7:47 am | Reply Suzette Benjamin

Oh, lovely blooms, the effect you used make them seem beautifully transparent almost. Nicely done, Mike
on July 12, 2021 at 1:43 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

Beautifully captured, Mike. They are such graceful flowers.
- on July 13, 2021 at 7:02 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Eliza.
on July 12, 2021 at 8:04 pm | Reply Katherine Wikoff

These are wonderful photos! Not only not the usual thing for you but also not the usual thing for floral photography. I love the different angles and perspectives here!
- on July 13, 2021 at 7:01 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Katherine. My relative inexperience with floral photography may have actually been an advantage–I had no idea what “normal” flower photos look like, so I felt free to put my own spin on them.
on July 12, 2021 at 10:19 pm | Reply shoreacres

Here’s a coincidence for you — yesterday I happened upon a pond filled with our native yellow lotuses, alongside a country road where I’d never seen them before. I’ve never seen a pink one; from what I gather, they don’t grow here except in gardens.
- on July 13, 2021 at 6:57 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  That is a pretty cool coincidence indeed. I had the opposite happen to me when I came across some yellow lotuses at the aquatic garden that I visited and was learned that they are native to North America.
on July 13, 2021 at 4:09 am | Reply blhphotoblog

Nice shots Mike! I find flower photography so difficult and can never convey the beauty my eyes see, you did a fine job.
- on July 13, 2021 at 6:56 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Brian. I have the same struggle with flowers as I do with landscape in determining what my subject is going to be. When I am photographing a bird or an insect, my primary subject is quite evident. With the flowers and landscapes, I am trying as much to capture a mood or a feeling and I am never quite certain I have gotten it right.
on July 13, 2021 at 11:03 am | Reply nliakos

When we lived in PG County, we used to visit the Aquatic Gardens at least once a year. It’s been a long time since we were there, so I really loved seeing your lotus images. The three images you chose are truly beautiful and show the lotus in various stages of bloom. Thank you for posting!
- on July 13, 2021 at 5:42 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Nina. Although it was only a little after the opening time there, it was a Saturday morning when I visited, so it was pretty crowded. Fortunately people spread out quickly, so it wasn’t too bad. The lotuses and water lilies never fail to impress and move me with their beauty and I hope to make a return trip a bit later in the summer.
on July 13, 2021 at 6:05 pm | Reply Dan Antion

You do very well outside your comfort zone, Mike.
- on July 13, 2021 at 6:17 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. I have been told that I have a pretty good eye for composition and I think that carries over even when I am photographing unfamiliar subjects. I feel pretty confident when I am am photographing dragonflies and birds, but that confidence melts away fairly quickly when confronted with flowers and landscapes and even more quickly when I have to take pictures of people. 🙂
  - on July 14, 2021 at 7:48 am Dan Antion
    
    You do have a good eye, Mike. If you like the image, I’m betting most people will.
on July 13, 2021 at 8:12 pm | Reply Ellen Jennings

All lovely, Mike, especially as they are outside your comfort zone—photographically and physically!

This is the type of photography I end up asking myself “why didn’t I….” , with great ideas for other shots when I get home. And hopefully do better if I get another opportunity.