Violet Above Water

About this piece

Violet petals open above dark water, set against luminous green lily pads and their curled, mottled edges. Selective focus draws attention to the flower and nearby closed bud, while reflections trace bright contours around the floating leaves.

The story

I framed the open flower to one side, leaving room for the folded bud and the leaves gathered around it. What held my attention was the contrast between the violet petals and the rough, speckled surfaces of the pads. Along the waterline, each stem and leaf carried a thin border of reflected light. I wanted the photograph to hold those small distinctions: an opening, a closed form, and the water quietly connecting them.