Rose Studies

As everyone knows, roses are associated with seduction and obsession. As Diana Wells puts it, “the rose represents love, magic, hope, and the mystery of life itself.”

My obsession with roses as a gardener was swift and overwhelming, until my small garden was overwhelmed with more roses than could possibly fit. Today, I find myself as a gardener more excited by flowers such as hellebores, echinacea, and protea from South Africa such as my leucospermum.

Obviously, I am still obsessed with photographing roses. Few flowers can equal the rose for beauty of line and shape, not to mention sumptuous coloration.

These two images are two of the studies from my rose photography marathon this week.

The photo above was stopped down to f/40 for maximum depth of field and then underexposed to bring out the tonal richness in the dark red rose.

On the other hand, I overexposed the rose below to emphasize the transparency of the variegated petals.

Now for something different, as I’m off to Yosemite with Julian and Nicky!

Rose Study 10

View this image larger.

Related link: my Rose set on Flickr.

Harold buys most of his digital photo equipment from B&H. Click here for Nikon DSLRs and here for Canon DSLRs. Keep in touch with what Harold is doing! For news, tips, techniques and special offers related to Harold's work and digital photography subscribe to the Harold Davis Photography email newsletter.

4 Responses to “Rose Studies”

  1. Photoblog 2.0: » Photoblog 2.0 Archive: » Pink Rose Says:

    […] p and technique as Gaillardia and Iris ensata ‘Azuma-kagami’. Related images: Rose Studies, Quartet of Roses, my Rose set on Flickr.

    This entry was pos […]

  2. Photoblog 2.0: » Photoblog 2.0 Archive: » The Earth Is Our Mother Says:

    […] e that seems too much a cliche may detract from the experience of looking at the image? Is a rose by any other name as fair? As I was processing this photo of the Wave last night, the phrase &# […]

  3. Photoblog 2.0: » Photoblog 2.0 Archive: » Red Rose Heart Says:

    […] or of this red rose reminds me of the conventional shape assigned a heart. Related story: Rose Studies. [85mm perspective correcting (PC) macro lens, 5 seconds at f/68 and ISO 100, tripod moun […]

  4. Photoblog 2.0: » Photoblog 2.0 Archive: » Each Apple Pear Says:

    […] & Exposure for Digital Photographers.) For example, take a look at Echinacea Harvest Moon, Rose Study 11, and Lily in a Green […]

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