I think we started something when Julie and I “deconstructed” a rose at her studio a few weeks ago. You can find that post here. I have to warn you that there are quite a few photos in this post but I just couldn’t bear to leave them out.
So, off I went to the florist on the weekend. Also, my family gave me a wonderful birthday present – a pop up studio (80cm x 80cm x 80xm) with various coloured inserts and a LumeCube light source – a tiny little device with 6 brightness levels and controllable via an app on your phone to control flash, duration, and brightness of multiple cubes. Very cool.
So back to slashing flowers. This next flower that I chose is a Pink and White Fringed Tulip. I set it up on the white background and took some test shots.
I used my trusty Olympus OMD EM5 on a tripod with a remote shutter. And of course, used solely my 60mm macro lens. I love that lens!
I switched to the black background about 20 shots later:
I then took my scalpel and cut through it, about two centimetres from the base.
And now I start to play with light and angles. The time passed sooo quickly.
It’s amazing that such a delicate flower on the outside, also has such a tough look when you cut it open. The underside has an almost plastic look, hard and shiny.
A lesson in contrasts.
And now to combine angles and light and background. Also, this was the first time I really tried to focus manually on macro. It’s hard to do because the control is on the lens itself and as you move it, you move the lens. I work completely in manual mode (aperture, shutter, ISO, exposure compensation, the lot!) except focus. I almost always let the camera do the focussing.
But for macro, it’s hard to get close enough without using manual focus.
But I did it! And I think it was totally worth it.
And finally some fun with the petals:
So what do you think? Which is your favourite? Are you horrified that I destroyed this perfectly good tulip? I feel like I’m doing it justice by exploring all of the beautiful and delicate intricacies that it holds.
Care to deconstruct something and share it with us? If you want to join in, it doesn’t have to be a flower, Melbournites are even doing deconstructed coffee!! – if you deconstruct something or find something that has been deconstructed, let us know with #deconstrucedart and link back to this post.
x desleyjane
Musings of a Frequent Flying Scientist 
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