Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast Deciduous Forest
About this Collection
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
In the beginning my flower photographs were all about identification and learning. I took care to capture sharp images that included the entire plant enabling me to find them in the field guides and learn their names.
One day, a Mayapple taught me to see differently. It is not easy to photograph Mayapple; you must kneel or lie on your belly to see the flower hidden beneath the umbrella-like leaves. Pure white petals frame the luscious, shiny stigma atop a full, round ovary, surrounded by twelve pale-yellow fingers edged with banana-yellow pollen.
I must have snapped two hundred photos of Mayapple that day and spent half the night processing them. I was intrigued by the various shades of white and yellow and by textures ranging from fine linen to polished stone. I felt invited to intimacy. I felt that Mayapple had offered up to me her essence, that she had revealed to me her soul.
For me, making photographs is no longer about learning names; it is about a deeper knowing.
__________
These images were exhibited at the Prendergast Library May 6 - June 3, 2011. The collection was prepared for exhibit in two ways. One set of 8X10 standard photos was printed, matted, and framed in custom-made walnut frames. A second set of manipulated photos was created in a painterly style, cropped in closer and square. These were blown up to 12X12, matted, and framed in custom-made frames of various woods including wormy chestnut, cherry, and butternut. Frames were made by Bemus Point NY woodworker Terry Saye. All of the framed pieces are sold or gifted.
__________
Ten of these images were licensed in 2011 to Jamestown Community College for use as lobby art in their new science building. Most of the images were taken in the woods at the adjacent College Park.
One day, a Mayapple taught me to see differently. It is not easy to photograph Mayapple; you must kneel or lie on your belly to see the flower hidden beneath the umbrella-like leaves. Pure white petals frame the luscious, shiny stigma atop a full, round ovary, surrounded by twelve pale-yellow fingers edged with banana-yellow pollen.
I must have snapped two hundred photos of Mayapple that day and spent half the night processing them. I was intrigued by the various shades of white and yellow and by textures ranging from fine linen to polished stone. I felt invited to intimacy. I felt that Mayapple had offered up to me her essence, that she had revealed to me her soul.
For me, making photographs is no longer about learning names; it is about a deeper knowing.
__________
These images were exhibited at the Prendergast Library May 6 - June 3, 2011. The collection was prepared for exhibit in two ways. One set of 8X10 standard photos was printed, matted, and framed in custom-made walnut frames. A second set of manipulated photos was created in a painterly style, cropped in closer and square. These were blown up to 12X12, matted, and framed in custom-made frames of various woods including wormy chestnut, cherry, and butternut. Frames were made by Bemus Point NY woodworker Terry Saye. All of the framed pieces are sold or gifted.
__________
Ten of these images were licensed in 2011 to Jamestown Community College for use as lobby art in their new science building. Most of the images were taken in the woods at the adjacent College Park.
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These photos were inspiration for poetry by Dave Bonta. I made them up into a 12X12 book on Blurb.com. |
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