I hear and I forget, I do and I understand, I see and I remember
Tag Archives: Photo
Series: Floral Essence
#3 Amorphophallus titanum
Frills on the Spathe of Amorphophallus titanum
The Amorphophallus titanum is the largest unbranched inflorescence flower in the world. The plant grows to between 6 and 12 feet tall. With a name and size like that it’s no wonder it makes the news when it blooms.
Phallus Spike
From bulb to bloom can take up to ten years. After that long wait the bloom only lasts for about 24 to 48 hours. The plant originates in Sumatra in Indonesia.
Film cross-processed | Amorphallus titanum
Because of this plants unusual resume I thought how can I make an image that suggests its dramatic presence. I settled on cross-processing some of the images to evoke the energy of this amazing plant. Cross-processing is when you use positive film and process it in negative chemistry. Doing this you never know what you’ll get.
Spathe (leaf) Amorphophallus titanum. Film image
This series of images is part of a larger collection called Floral Essence. I’ll share more about that in the near future.
To see these images and more flower pictures visit the gallery Flowers at www.wayneeastep.com
As we were driving along the border of Kazakhstan toward Mongolia, we crested a hill. The field in front of us, all the way to the horizon, was filled with sunflowers as far as the eye could see. I had our fixer pull over. I got out of the jeep, went into the field, and made a series of images of the golden carpet of sunflowers in full bloom. It knocked me out!
Over the next couple of years, the magnificence of those sunflowers remained alive in my memory.
I wanted to learn more about sunflowers. My curiosity was not just about the beauty of their bright blossoms, but what they were all about. I ordered mammoth sunflower seeds, planted the seeds in a circle in my yard, waited, and watched. Over three months, I photographed the stages of growth from seedlings to decline. What I observed increased my appreciation for their beauty but raised even more questions.
Why did every flower develop a similar spiral pattern? Why were the seeds packed in so tightly and at an angle? My research revealed many connections between nature, mathematics, philosophy, and the rich history of intellectual inquiry — more on that in a later post.
The short-form answer to my questions is that the spiral pattern and the angle of the seeds in the sunflower represent the most efficient way to pack seeds in space and ensure reproductive success. The spirals are called “golden spirals,” reflecting Fibonacci numbers. The elegant angle of the seeds to each other aligns with the “golden angle’’. The pattern of the seeds in the sunflower represents what, in mathematics and aesthetics, can be called beauty — more on that in a future post. Leonardo Da Vinci described this phenomenon, which can also be seen in hurricanes, galaxies, pinecones, and pineapples, as the “Divine Proportions”.
One day, when the flowers were reaching maturity, I watched a pair of wild Brazilian Green Parrots as they fed on the seeds. The two parrots took up positions next to each other on two sunflowers. While one ate, the other stood guard, watching for any threat. After a while, they switched roles. The one guarding then ate, and the other provided protection.
Like many children, I loved to go out in the rain and splash in puddles on the street.
Rain, like a cloud, is easily taken for granted. Water is integral to our existence. When we pause and observe, we have the chance to get in touch with something elemental in our lives.
Hurricane Milton, Sarasota, Florida
Different types of rain elicit a wide range of feelings. There is gentle, poignant melancholy in a light, mid-afternoon rain. It feels safe – even reassuring. Rain is a symbol of renewal and rebirth. When rain comes in excess it can be terrifying, bringing the potential for destruction. We use our technology to build roads, canals, bridges, levees, and dams – assuming we can control nature. Then a devastating storm comes and we are painfully reminded of our limitations and the need to live in ways that are in harmony with nature, respecting its power.
I can remember a number of times when I was about to leave a cafe in New York City and a thunderstorm delivered a torrent of rain, giving me the excuse to stay put, have another cup of coffee, and share more time with a friend.
Painted Eucalyptus Tree,
Sarasota, Florida
Image made with iPhone Camera
January 20, 22, 27, 29 10 am to Noon.
1338 Central Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236
Learn how you can make creative images with your iPhone Camera And Expand Your Way of Seeing
The course is designed to be fun, entertaining, and informative. The class is taught in plain english rather than techno-speak to make the technical functions understandable. You will leave the class feeling confident about being creative with your iPhone. You will learn how to control camera features like shutter release, focus, exposure settings, and a range of composition techniques. You’ll learn how to edit, organize, and store your images. You will also expand your creative way of observing.
As a Master Photographer (www.WayneEastep.com) I have been celebrated for my fine art, commercial and documentary photography. I have traveled the globe photographing commissions and assignments for National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and Fortune 500 companies including Nikon, Canon, Olympus, and Polaroid. I have produced and published six books featuring my photography and lectured at museums, universities, and professional organizations. I’ve taught this course to students who are beginners and professionals. Whatever your level of experience, this course will increase your ability with the iPhone camera and expand your way of seeing.
The fee for the course is $175. The class is limited to eight. Contact me to save your place.
The area of Sagano Japan has a remarkably beautiful calm and peaceful bamboo grove. There is wonderful sound when the wind blows through the bamboo causing it to knock together. Put that together with the sound of rain and your ready for a peaceful nights rest.
Bamboo grove, Sagano, JapanBring some calm into your lifeGiant bamboo in a grove, Sagano JapanDaydream your afternoon away. Perhaps one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Images of Industrial Art can introduce drama and colorful graphics into any room.
The juxtaposition of an industrial image within a room creates a unique quality of energy and strong graphics. There is an unexpected surprise seeing this kind of subject displayed in a room in the house.
Industry is built using engineering design. I’ve always appreciated the elegance of design be it in fine art drawings, fashion, or industrial design. Often the clearer the concept the cleaner the design. Long ago the Shakers and Danish designers illustrated that truth.
This image is a sonar mapping image of the floor of the Gulf of Mexico identifying were there are voids in the earth, where there is crude oil and where there is natural gas.
Once again when we turn our attention to nature we often see elegant design and beauty.
I intend for my images to be seen and play a role in evoking a mood. Today more than ever images are a part of our lives, on our phones, computers and prints in our homes and offices.
I was walking down fifth avenue and saw this image, paused turned back and asked the person if it would be ok to make an image of their shoes. They looked a little puzzled, but said, ok. After making the image I showed it to them and they said, “wow very cool, I had no idea”.
One of the great satisfactions of photography is being able to make an image of those fleeting moments that we come upon every day.
wayne eastep's blog 