as the petals began to emerge from the bud
they appeared a deep, flat black
this morning this opened to reveal the deep red surprise within
(click photograph for larger view)
Leica M, 35 mm Summilux Asph + OUFRO
Later in the day
the bloom revealed itself more flamboyantly.
Brings to mind a flamenco dancer’s skirt.
Hasselblad 500 CM/CF-39, 135 mm Zeiss S-Planar on Auto Bellows
May your blooms be floriferous and in good form,
Distinctive, with good substance, flare, and airborne,
With standards and falls that endure, never torn.
May you display many buds and blooms sublime,
In graceful proportion on strong stalks each day,
Gently floating above the fans and the fray.
May you too reach toward the moon and stars,
Bloom after bloom, many seasons in the sun,
Enjoying your life, health, and each loved one,
Until your ‘living days are artfully done.
(click photograph for larger view)
Hasselblad 500 CM/CF-39, 135 Zeiss S Planar on Auto Bellows
…of light and lines
while green yelled about color.
Hush green.
(click photograph for larger view)
Hasselblad 500CM/CF-39, 135 mm Zeiss S-Planar on Auto Bellows
…the answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
What was the question?
(click photograph for larger view)
Hasselblad 500CM/CF-39, 135 mm Zeiss S-Planar T*
I walked around a sea of hundreds of white shirts bobbing about music stands and moving bows
for ten minutes before locating Sophia; sitting pretty much in the very middle.
I’d mounted the 180 mm Apo Elmarit and 2X Apo Extender on to the Leica M.
But that 360 mm f:5.6 combo proved too long to hand hold while standing;
and attempting to find Sophia as she’d disappear behind the music or other student musicians.
so here I test the old Bresson adage, “sharpness is over rated.” with a ?
(click image for larger view)
The 180 became far more manageable without the 2X Extender; and with me sitting down.
Leica M, 180 mm Apo Elmarit R
A bit of Yo Moma frozen yogurt after the concert
Leica Monochrom, 50 mm Summilux Asph
(click photographs for larger view)
And the happy birthday drum, singing, lights and a banana with two candles for the two young ladies.
Yes. a birthday banana with candles. that’s correct.
Leica Monochrom, 50 mm Summilux Asph and 28 mm Summicron Asph
I noticed the blossoms on Monday afternoon.
I watched the light on Tuesday.
Too busy to photograph.
Wednesday is Blue Violet day on the New Color Face Book Page.
So Wednesday morning I went out with the Hasselblad on a ground pod.
The wind blew the tiny, fragile blossoms around at 15 to 20 miles per hour.
Impossible to focus.
I contemplated setting up a wind break.
Instead… I picked up the one stem, that the wind had fractured, and now lay in the dirt;
and took it inside; set it atop a mahogany pillar; where a beetle also sat.
Of course the beetle walked about; in and out of the frame; in and out of focus; before flying away.
(click photograph for a larger view)
Hasselblad 500 CM/CF-39, 80 mm Zeiss Planar on Auto Bellows
a gift to the accidentally injured
along with many, sweet, frozen treats
as we wait for the spring greening
to blossom and bloom
blossom and bloom
words as beautiful as the things themselves
(click photograph for larger view)
Hasselblad 500CM/CF-39, 80 mm Zeiss Planar on Tube
This past Saturday morning I spent a couple hours with my friend David White — in celebration of his birthday. The drive around too many express ways — through old and newly forming suburbia — continues to frustrate me. Though the orchid on the table and the pleasure of delving into theo-philo-socio-econo-psycho-logy with David soon dissipated all that anxiety. The two coffee selections tasted good; and omelette good enough; while the conversation provided the most delicious pleasure.
The most generic signage imaginable…
on the most forgettable architecture…
in a brand new suburban development…
that will be empty and crumbling in 50 years
or less…
Leica M, 35 mm Summilux Asph
Leica M Monochrom, 50 mm Summilux Asph
each day gazing
upon these graceful lines
growing through space
without benefit of water or soil
just a desire to live on
(click photographs for larger view)
Leica M, 35 mm Summilux Asph