Wishing there was a bit more time and light in a day to fit in all the possibilities.
These were taken with natural light, but in my studio, rather than outside. The background is a smudgy black chalkboard.
*Addendum: My mother just sent me an email asking “isn’t there anything else you can photograph?” Perhaps it’s time to change the subject… =)
© Karen McRae, 2012
draw and shoot 
A wonderful variation which exhibits all the beauty of those images captured outdoors!
Thanks, Elena.
Just gorgeous Karen.
I’m glad you think so, Adrian. Thank you.
as long as it captures you – it will capture us
that’s a nice thought, actually…
was literally breath-taking opening these
Also a nice thought. Thank you, Nathan – very much.
Beautiful, particularly #1
I appreciate that you think so, Rudolf. Thank you.
Flowers in the dark, fascinating.
Turning things around… you never know what you might find.
I love your work Karen. What are you thinking of next? Up for a field trip in a week or two – would love to go down to the river for a few new shots! Just a little tied up until the 21st – sometime after would be fun! Drop me an email if you are interested.
Thank you, Anita.
The river is always a pull – it would be great to get together and head somewhere along the river. I’ll send you a note after the 21st. It’s been rather busy on my end, too!
This is something else, Karen. 😉 The first one especially, and it is marvellous.
Bente, thank you. I appreciate your comment! 🙂
the smoothest fireworks I’ve ever seen 😉
Fireworks – I hadn’t thought of that possibility. I imagine they make quiet sounds, too. 🙂
Just wonderful – I can say no more!!
🙂
Amazing, you create unseen realities by using light and shape. Inspiring
Thank you, Chris. I’m happy you think so.
Karen these are so lovely!!
P.S. I love all of your subjects, they’re special every time 🙂
Thanks very much, Sophie! 🙂
Such radiance… beautiful
Barbara, thank you.
🙂 Mothers are like that.
🙂
Ha! (on the mother comment) I hear my mom asking that question every time she opens one of my blog posts, even with her 2000 miles away.
I like these a lot. Unique is a very good thing.
Thank you, Paul. Your comment makes me smile!
So deep, dark and beautiful Karen.
Thanks, Shari.
Really like these – I like how you processed the images, too.
Todor, thank you. 🙂
Mothers don’t always know best Karen 😉
Ha! Not always….
I knew you come here, soon or later. And, I’m glad
you did it in optical way, not by a digital reverse. = mean,
you are actually seeing those images on the subjects,
not on the screen.
They are the beautiful crafts = carving with the light.
Despite the lighting is completely different (Top-light
against Back-light) and reversed, still created exactly the
same atmosphere was the incredible skill.
Beautiful shots Karen.
Thanks, Yoshizen. There is so much careful thought in your words, always appreciated.
Exquisite work!
Thank you, Sonja.
¡Bello!
Thank you, Manoli!
You should change the subject when you’re done with it. No sooner.
I do tend to follow my own path…
ethereal Karen 🙂
Thank you, Marina. =)
I find that focusing on one subject is probably the best kind of creativity. It makes you go deeper and deeper every time and broadens your “eyesight” to name just two advantages. If your mom’s worried about you loosing viewers, I think your views, likes and comments, prove the opposite! Anyway, you and only you, know better! I love your “dark” approach! 🙂
I think so too, Marina. I think it’s how I learn, really. Learn how to look at things, and how to photograph something. I have to try it many ways so I can find out the possibilities of it.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
Utterly stunning – every one is new Karen..
I appreciate that you think so, Cath. Thank you.
Don’t listen to your mum (on this occasion). These are exquisite.
=) Thank you, Richard.
haha your mom is funny
she is!
The ex says similar things 🙂 I like the use the ex as my ‘every-man’
Why change the subject when you create such magic??? All too familiar with that ‘mother’s questioning voice’…:-)! Stunning imagery!
Thanks, Marcie. Much appreciated. =)
Pure poetry! Beautiful
A nice reply. Thank you, Anette.
Really striking set against a black background.
Thanks, Simon!
one word says it all – SPECTACULAR
Mona, you are very kind – thanks for the enthusiasm.
That first image is breathtaking.
Thanks, Cynthia.
Any way, that your mother thougt, I liked this photo, it´s like a dream.
How kind, thank you.
Very dark and intriguing. 🙂
Intrigue is good. Thanks, Shez.
Very nice – somehow you make them so different from what I would expect, even with a dark background. All that softness.
And, mother’s sometimes should be ignored, even the most charming, nicest and most well meaning of them (yours surely falls in that category).
She absolutely does fall into that category!
I was curious how they might look on a dark background with shallow focus, myself. I think I’ll do a little more experimenting with this… thanks, Ephem.
Say hi to your mom from me and my mom 🙂
Will do! 🙂
Stunning shots Karen. That first one is just……………lost for words 🙂
David, thank you. 🙂
It has been a pleasure looking at the last few post you have done – clicking ‘Like’ is almost the same as when one has had a superb meal and then just saying ‘that was nice’ not enough some how.
David.
Ha! What a great comment, David. Thanks so much, I’m so pleased you think that.
Karen
As undefinable as your photography is, a change from light to dark background has turned near-black-and-white imagery to near-color ones. Always a surprise on this page… 🙂
Undefinable – I take that as an extraordinary compliment, Alessandro. Thank you, kindly. 🙂
That top one reminds me of the lines of childish chalk drawings on a blackboard. Happy thought.
Hi Trish!
It’s funny you say that because after I looked at these i started thinking how I might be able to incorporate chalk drawings in the background. Hmmn…
Mothers are so straightforward, aren’t they? But I bet she loves these … they’re really, really beautiful;!” Hi” to your Mum! 🙂 🙂
Yes, straightforward – not a bad thing in most cases.
Thanks, I’ll let her know you say “hi” =)
Please tell Mom that we haven’t had enough of them yet!
I still love the series, Karen…could look at them all day. 🙂
Ha! Thank you, Scott. This is good. =)
You’re welcome. 🙂
I’ve gone back to look through the spring, summer, fall photos and am still thrilled and awed with your wonderful skills. You have a most wonderful eye and your ability to capture nature is always unique and breathtaking!
Thanks so much, Jane. A lovely thing to say, and much appreciated.
the first one – sensational!
Thank you, Lisa.
Wow, these are truly fantastic images Karen!
Hi Alicia, thank you. I’m glad you think so!
Ah! The next time someone asks me to define ‘ethereal,’ I’m going to refer them to this post.
And if they ask me to define ‘nuisance,’ I’ll refer them to your mom. (Just kidding about the last part.) : )
Thanks, Mark!
My mother is actually quite terrific! : )