If I were a flower…

ss 1/60 f 5.6 iso 400

“If I were a flower.. I would be a sunflower.
To always follow the sun, Turn my back to darkness,
Stand proud, tall and straight even with my head full of seeds.” ~ Author Pam Stewart

A Bit of Adoration

SS 1/60 f 5.6 ISO 500, Natural Diffused Light

I edited this image in Topaz Black and White Suite using adjustments in the classic black and white program and adding a diffusion edit to give the image a soft, dreamy, appearance of the feeling of adoration, which is one of the meanings of the Sunflower.

“You can’t look in the face of adoration and be cruel.” ~ Claudia Christian

Find Peace in Patience

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Find Peace in Patience

 

2013 Sunflower Series – 07

“Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution.” – Kahlil Gibran

Strength and Resolution

2013 Sunflower Series – 06

I originally thought I would include 5 images in the series, but there are a couple more than I feel compelled to share so the series continues for another couple of days.  I do hope you continue to enjoy the sunflowers.

“The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty and Truth….The trite subjects of human efforts – possessions, outward success, luxury – have always seemed to me contemptible.”

– Albert Einstein

A Soulful Light

2013 Sunflower Series – 02

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

The Echoes of Kind Words

 

2013 Sunflower Series – 01

“Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable.” – Henry Ward Beecher

Love is a Flame

I chose today’s image for a few reasons:  One, sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers, thus the sunflower series.  Two, yesterday was my birthday and the quote certainly speaks to me about love and the depth of love.  As I age, my love for others grows deeper and deeper.  Three, a dear friend gave me a bouquet with sunflowers in it to warm my day. And four, my wonderful husband gave me a new lens, the AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm 1:2.8 ED.  I love macro photography so this was such a thoughtful and special gift for me.  It is a joy to use and as you can see, it helps capture life quite eloquently.