19 May 2011

i thank You God for most this amazing day

"It's a strange world. Let's keep it that way."

~Warren Ellis

I love macro photography.

There is something so special about being able to see so closely and clearly what your naked eye cannot discern. It feels a bit like looking into an otherworldly landscape that is at once alien yet familiar.

There have been a lot of blogs lately jumping on the macro picture wagon. While most of the photos on my camera are of the jewelry variety (always shot with macro), with the occasional baseball or dance picture thrown in, I would love to jump in an participate just to see what I could do. So last week, Friday the 13th, I took my camera on a walk with me in along the banks of the Wisconsin River and set the lens on the macro setting. I am quite certain that people thought I was ridiculous as I marched right up to trees and pointed the camera inches away! I was surprised at what I got when I got back home and logged these into my Flickr account.

This gray day seemed devoid color. But I couldn't be more wrong. Just the variety of greens was staggering!
And I love how the macro makes textures the star.

I thought that these images should be accompanied by my most favorite poem by poet e.e. cummings.

Enjoy!


{this is the one and only birch tree on this stretch and each side was different}


i thank You God for most this amazing


{my favorite shot of hostas in front of my house... i didn't even know there was dew until i took this off the camera!}

day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

{new buds - in front of a mossy tree}
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything

{pussy willows in a jar at the main grain bakery just begging to be touched}
which is natural which is infinite which is yes


{a notty tree]
(i who have died am alive again today,

{the great divide - looks like an otherworldly relief map}

and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth

{like a 3 inch square forest}

day of life and love and wings: and of the gay

{willow buds blowing in the breeze}

great happening illimitably earth)

{this looks alien, or like a coral reef - one of my favorite shots!}
how should tasting touching hearing seeing

{the bark on this tree was paper thin and all rusty, curling every which way}

breathing any-lifted from the no

{little islands of moss on the deck at my office}
of all nothing-human merely being


{daffodil}


doubt unimaginable You?

{dahlia from my mom's present for mother's day}

(now the ears of my ears awake and

{tulips standing guard - they are my sister's favorite flower and make me think of her!}
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
 
 
(all photos by me with a little help from Picnik ;-)
 
Now I am definitely off to treat myself to some macro filters in lieu of an expensive macro lens!
 
 
This stuff will be addicting for sure!
 

26 comments:

shari said...

I knew that poem was e.e. cummings before it was done... he loves nature so, and he's my most favorite poet... along with Thoreau and Whitman.

GORGEOUS photos!! Macro photography is one of my favorites, too! These are lovely and I adore that you paired them with a poem by e.e. cummings!

Brandi Hussey said...

I looooove macro photography (clearly)!! I love that I can focus on what I want and blur out the rest. I love the detail. And I love your shots! Those macro filters look fab - can you let us know how it works for you? Might be worth a try.

steufel said...

Oh my Erin - these pics are absolutly amazing. And what a great poem. Thanks so much for sharing!

SueBeads said...

beautiful post and photos beautiful!

Off the Beadin' Path said...

So glad I happened by today! Your photos are terrific and sooo professional-looking! The eyeball birch, the dew on the hostas, and that one really looks like coral, they're all amazing! You have yet another talent the way it looks!! The poem is so fitting, of course! All just lovely, like you :)

Davinia said...

Stunning photos Erin.

Regina said...

Great pictures and a great poem!

Anonymous said...

those photos are gorgeous! I need to try that myself, I only have a little digital.

rosebud101 said...

Erin, that was an excellent photo essay. Thank you for sharing your heart through e e cummings.

Silver Parrot said...

Awesome photos, Erin! I especially love the daffodil, dahlia and tulip shots. So, my next question is...what fabulous jewelry are you going to be inspired to make from these cool images?

Riki Schumacher said...

OMG, just stunning pictures Erin!! You knocked it out of the ball park with these. LOVE them all. Makes me want to go buy a new camera, think I'll just enjoy your talent! Hugs, Riki

Lance said...

Erin,
What amazing photos (so I encourage you to keep looking a little weird along the banks of the Wisconsin!).

I especially love the willow bud - it's like you can just see new life being born in that!

Unknown said...

WOW I wish I had a macro setting!

Holly said...

I have always loved ee cummings - thanks for setting one of my favorite poems to pictures! What an incredible job. Macro is so fun, isn't it?

Lisa @FishyFaceDesigns said...

What beautiful photography...YOU did it and the results were stunning!
Have a wonderful Friday!
Take care.

Beth Hikes said...

Incredible pictures, Erin! I think I love the tree the best. How nature can be so complex in it's black and whiteness :)

Mellisa said...

I just love all these textures! Your photos are beautiful :) Let me know how the macro filters work out!

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

WOW! Erin your shots are stunning! I especially love the one that looks like coral. Fantastic!!!

somethingunique said...

Hi Erin, wowza what amazing pics that one looks like it's accually in the ocean and the poem is loveley. take care ttfn L:)

Sally Anderson said...

Hi Erin, This was a fabulous post! ee cummings is always good but when illustrated with these beautiful photos, well, wow! Everything was popping! Loved it all, but my favorite photo was the eye of birch! Shivery, eerie, wonderful!

Cindy said...

Erin, WOW. Absolutely stunning pictures, just gorgeous. You are a natural - and you have an eye. You've captured so many of nature's details that would ordinarily go unnoticed. I think Macro is definitely your friend & I hope to see more!

Jenni said...

Beautiful work, you have a natural talent...well we all know this! Thank you for the poetry, it makes such a lovely story in combination with your photos.
jenni

Eva Maria Keiser said...

Beautiful blog, amazing pictures, truly all-inspiring!
Greetings,
Eva Maria

ladynoble said...

Just left a comment on Lorelie's blog... I can't wait to get my hands on a Macro lens. (My Nikon has a good Macro setting but can you image taking shots of nature so up-close that it looks like a different universe?!)

As always love your photos in this post. Great shots from a true artist! The knotty wood I think is my favorite.

jamberry_song said...

These pictures of yours are remarkable... Just gorgeous, truly inspiring. I'm so glad you shared them with us! <3

Tracy Statler said...

Simply beautiful!

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