I've photographed hundreds of glowing flowers since 2014 after seeing Oleksandr Holovachov's work with ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence (UVIVF) photography.
Each time I do a set of UVIVF photos, it starts with going out under the cover of darkness to snatch unsuspecting flowers growing around the neighborhood. I rarely know what to expect from a flower before I get it back to shoot. Some I think will dazzle end up flopping, and others I am surprised by their colors or light. Every one is a surprise!
In the same way a tee-shirt blue glows under a black light, most organic material glows at least a little with UV stimulation and in all kinds of colors. To make the most of it, I make sure I'm working in the darkest environment I can and use a 365nm light so the camera can't see the UV light.
Any time the flowers are hit by sunlight, they're letting off their own glow in response and it's simply overwhelmed by the sunlight we can see. These photos capture something we always see, but never can observe.
More info: cpburrows.com
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We have this horsemint every spring. I never knew that they looked so wonderful
Interesting how the various areas of the plant reflect more light than others!
Hi! The glow in UVIVF is often inverse from the brightness in reflected-UV which factors into insect vision. To glow, the UV must be absorbed, so it appears dark. The brightest areas in these photos are more likely to appear dark in reflected-UV.
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Absolutely beautiful! If only we could see it in normal light, that would be sight to behold!
That is so beautiful! I could look at that for hours, how beautiful is our flora and fauna!
Perfection in nature. This one has its own galaxy of stars.
Truly spectacular! So grateful you photographed and shared these images with the public.
The pictures are lovely. The shock of being "snatched up" under the cover of darkness must also be apparent in the photos. What do potted plants look like?
Quite outstanding! Superb. I am grateful to have seen this photo - and for all the scrambling around to get it.
Quite outstanding! Superb. I am grateful to have seen this - and for all your scrambling around to get it.
Stunningly amazing! Very Pretty! Reminds me of the movie Avatar and all the glowing flowers! Well done, Mr. Burrows! This is my favorite so far! :)
Do you ever photograph people this was? (traceyglazebrook@gmail.com)
I haven't had the opportunity. I have photographed only myself, but the long exposures and focusing are especially tricky. There are definitely some interesting things that happen to human skin when viewed under a strong ultraviolet light.
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Omg my favorite. I seriously want to buy these and put them all over my home they just are amazing
Now I'm mad because I want to see flowers like this all the time! Waaahh!!!
This could come from 1 person's dream and another's nightmare. Love it
Disney's new Avatar land in the Animal Kingdom should be watching this post....
Ok this one is giving me "Independence Day" alien death ray and I'm ok with that.
Meh, when you see 1 UVIVF photo you've seen them all. J/K this is incredible!!
You may say Mother Nature's a b***h, but I say she is one beautiful, freaky b***h...
I love the reoccurring space theme found throughout the photos. The duality of earth and sky is mesmerizing and hypnotic.
If there were flowers in space, I think they'd look like these! 😍
For some reason, at first glance, these made me think of Micky Mouse.
It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison between this and our every day sight.
These photographs show that there is more to plants than we think. They have a very stunning beauty that can't be seen in everyday life.
...the answer to all questions is... 42 ( The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy )
Thank you for your work Craig. I feel so lucky to live in a time when technology allows us to see beyond our senses
Me too. While it was possible to do this sort of photo in the past, it would've been much more challenging. Particularly the branches of photography dealing with hidden light (reflected-ultraviolet, infrared, and UVIVF) are enabled spectacularly by modern technology. I am glad you enjoyed looking.
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These are so stunning. I'd love to see more. They're the type of inspiring that makes you want to keep them, but putting them on a wall wouldn't do them justice.
Hi Nim. If you want to see more, please check out my Flickr and Instagram accounts. I do group uploads to Flickr, and post smaller updates more frequently to Instagram. I'm thinking of experimenting with translucent or metallic prints instead of the standard matte I've been using. I think they might work well with the luminosity in the pictures. https://www.flickr.com/photos/34303190@N06/ https://www.instagram.com/cpburrowsphoto/
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"These photo's capture something we always see, but never can observe'... that's a beautiful sentence!
Wow ..Just SPECTACULAR.. Great to see the beauty of nature in this way .Beautiful and Magical work by Artist L<3ved it.
I often measure my life in moments that takes my breath away. Thank you Craig, you just did.
What if oxygen is a drug and when we stop breathing it we will see the real world? Remember Avatar? Oxygen was so little in Pandora.
So beautiful. God has truly created all things so intricately. You've given us a deeper glimpse into creation. Thank you for your work
"These photos capture something we always see, but never can observe." =Mind blown !
Can you tell us the 365nm UV light you're using? Do you have any written instructions about your technique? I'd love to try it! Your photos are beautiful.
These are lovely. Do you mind if I use one as a desktop background for my computer sometime? they are so beautiful.
I would love to have some of these plants in my home but, don’t know what any of them are or where to get them-just beautiful work! What a wonderful job you have!
Hi Craig, the art you do is incredible. Without doubt, a new technique that is at the forefront of these times. Simplemenete I have a question, does each of your photos have a name ?, and if so could you let me know please. I will be waiting for your answer.
WOW!!! Absolutely love what you've accomplished with your photography Craig. So lovely. i would love to have your permission to paint at least 2 of them please. They are so inspiring :)
Wow it looks like the normal plants of this world have been transported and adapted to a whole different alien planet! :D
Most insects see in UV. Are your photos pretty close to what insects actually perceive?
Craig Burrows these are stunning! I'm an amateur photographer and love taking daylight photos of flowers. These inspire me to learn more about the process you use (UVIVF). Thank You for sharing your art!
absolutely stunning! magical, ethereal...i love these! thank you so much for these pictures Craig. modern technology can be used to create some amazing works of art. they're the sort of photos i want to hang on my wall.
Okay, dumb question - if you're "working in the darkest environment I can and use a 365nm light so the camera can't see the UV light" how are you focusing?
Very nice. I saved one for wallpaper, but there are too many nice ones to save them all.
So lovely...thank you! Do the colors in daylight correspond at all with the UV colors....looked for plants I know, but found few...are you in Australia? Do you pick the flowers and take them back to your lab, or photograph them where you find them? Amazing work!
Add normal pics too, show the difference with respect to normal sunlight...
Thank you for your work Craig. I feel so lucky to live in a time when technology allows us to see beyond our senses
Me too. While it was possible to do this sort of photo in the past, it would've been much more challenging. Particularly the branches of photography dealing with hidden light (reflected-ultraviolet, infrared, and UVIVF) are enabled spectacularly by modern technology. I am glad you enjoyed looking.
Load More Replies... These are so stunning. I'd love to see more. They're the type of inspiring that makes you want to keep them, but putting them on a wall wouldn't do them justice.
Hi Nim. If you want to see more, please check out my Flickr and Instagram accounts. I do group uploads to Flickr, and post smaller updates more frequently to Instagram. I'm thinking of experimenting with translucent or metallic prints instead of the standard matte I've been using. I think they might work well with the luminosity in the pictures. https://www.flickr.com/photos/34303190@N06/ https://www.instagram.com/cpburrowsphoto/
Load More Replies... "These photo's capture something we always see, but never can observe'... that's a beautiful sentence!
Wow ..Just SPECTACULAR.. Great to see the beauty of nature in this way .Beautiful and Magical work by Artist L<3ved it.
I often measure my life in moments that takes my breath away. Thank you Craig, you just did.
What if oxygen is a drug and when we stop breathing it we will see the real world? Remember Avatar? Oxygen was so little in Pandora.
So beautiful. God has truly created all things so intricately. You've given us a deeper glimpse into creation. Thank you for your work
"These photos capture something we always see, but never can observe." =Mind blown !
Can you tell us the 365nm UV light you're using? Do you have any written instructions about your technique? I'd love to try it! Your photos are beautiful.
These are lovely. Do you mind if I use one as a desktop background for my computer sometime? they are so beautiful.
I would love to have some of these plants in my home but, don’t know what any of them are or where to get them-just beautiful work! What a wonderful job you have!
Hi Craig, the art you do is incredible. Without doubt, a new technique that is at the forefront of these times. Simplemenete I have a question, does each of your photos have a name ?, and if so could you let me know please. I will be waiting for your answer.
WOW!!! Absolutely love what you've accomplished with your photography Craig. So lovely. i would love to have your permission to paint at least 2 of them please. They are so inspiring :)
Wow it looks like the normal plants of this world have been transported and adapted to a whole different alien planet! :D
Most insects see in UV. Are your photos pretty close to what insects actually perceive?
Craig Burrows these are stunning! I'm an amateur photographer and love taking daylight photos of flowers. These inspire me to learn more about the process you use (UVIVF). Thank You for sharing your art!
absolutely stunning! magical, ethereal...i love these! thank you so much for these pictures Craig. modern technology can be used to create some amazing works of art. they're the sort of photos i want to hang on my wall.
Okay, dumb question - if you're "working in the darkest environment I can and use a 365nm light so the camera can't see the UV light" how are you focusing?
Very nice. I saved one for wallpaper, but there are too many nice ones to save them all.
So lovely...thank you! Do the colors in daylight correspond at all with the UV colors....looked for plants I know, but found few...are you in Australia? Do you pick the flowers and take them back to your lab, or photograph them where you find them? Amazing work!
Add normal pics too, show the difference with respect to normal sunlight...
