nature

Toasty is from my Naturally Abstract collection and is another composed at the magical Yonce Farm in Ridge Spring, SC. In my mind’s eye, the anthers had the appearance of something that had been toasted (especially around the edges).

Tropicana Islands is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed in my back yard. This is the surface of a colorful mushroom. In my mind’s eye, the colors reminded me of orange juice, as if there were land areas surrounded by it.

Canna Curl is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, SC. It was so tantalizing that I refused to give up until I felt that I had captured everything I wanted. The environmental conditions were really challenging (e.g., continually changing light...

Wet Christmas is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, SC. The colors reminded me of Christmas.

On The Inside is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at the Aiken County Historical Museum in Aiken, SC. I decided to try something completely different for this piece. I focused way down inside this lily (basically where the filaments and stigma are attached).

Bonfire Party is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at the Aiken County Historical Museum in Aiken, SC. Because of the angles of the anthers and how they are arched, in my mind’s eye they appeared to be leaning toward the flames of a blazing campfire as if they were setting...

Curtain is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at the Aiken County Historical Museum in Aiken, SC. My artistic vision was to split the image diagonally where one part featured the petal’s edge and the flower it belonged to while the other section is an entirely different...

Greenie is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, SC. This is algae on the surface of a reflecting pool. I love finding little things in images that you didn't notice in the field. Here, that's the reflection that looks like a smile.

Cessation is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, SC. This is another backlit leaf from the swampy area (when they are lit up like this one, they act as beacons and pull me right towards them). I was captivated by the thought that Mother Nature...

Duckweed is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, SC. By putting part of my tripod in the water I was able to compose this from directly above the aquatic plants.

Bubbling Yellow is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at the Aiken County Historical Museum in Aiken, SC. I searched several seasons before I found one of these little flowers that was large enough to fill the entire frame. I loved all the arcs and loops.

Flame On is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, SC. While it was created using a macro lens, it's not technically a macro image (but it is abstract).

Centrifugal is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, SC. After processing this one, it immediately became my new favorite cone flower.

Black Stars is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at the Aiken County Historical Museum in Aiken, SC. It wasn't originally what I was pointing the camera at, but I ended up liking this even better. This is a REALLY long exposure too - 25 seconds. It is some type of tree bark.

Big Drop is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, SC. This is another from the tree sap work I was able to create. I really liked the sunstars, reflections, and refractions.

Frilly is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, SC. I loved the lacy edges and soft flaps.

Lava Leaf is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, SC. This is from the same area where my Fire Veins piece was created (same type of leaf, and backlit as well). Finding subjects like this is one of the main reasons I love abstract macro so much.

Expand is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at the Aiken County Historical Museum in Aiken, SC. I loved the paint job Mother Nature provided this guy.

Inner Smile is from my Naturally Abstract collection and was composed at the Aiken County Historical Museum in Aiken, SC. I loved the bold, attractive colors on this canna lily, but the pattern they created was equally alluring.