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I Photographed The Invisible Light That Plants Emit
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
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Final score:
151points
Lucy Van Swearingen, 9 years ago
We have this horsemint every spring. I never knew that they looked so wonderful
woodbehr 9 years ago
Interesting how the various areas of the plant reflect more light than others!
Craig Burrows (Submission author) 9 years ago
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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Rita Randall 6 years ago
Absolutely beautiful! If only we could see it in normal light, that would be sight to behold!
Rita Randall 6 years ago
That is so beautiful! I could look at that for hours, how beautiful is our flora and fauna!
Roberta Brown 6 years ago (edited)
Perfection in nature. This one has its own galaxy of stars.
ELAINE Giammetta 6 years ago
Truly spectacular! So grateful you photographed and shared these images with the public.
Brenda Nero 6 years ago
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?
Carol Coombe 6 years ago
Quite outstanding! Superb. I am grateful to have seen this photo - and for all the scrambling around to get it.
Carol Coombe 6 years ago
Quite outstanding! Superb. I am grateful to have seen this - and for all your scrambling around to get it.
Neil Patrick Cabrera 8 years ago
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! :)
Tracey Glazebrook 9 years ago
Do you ever photograph people this was? (traceyglazebrook@gmail.com)
Craig Burrows (Submission author) 9 years ago
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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#4
Final score:
131points
#5
Final score:
124points
Lori Roman 9 years ago
Omg my favorite. I seriously want to buy these and put them all over my home they just are amazing
#7
Final score:
114points
#8
Final score:
108points
#9
Final score:
94points
#10
Final score:
92points
Bobby Beebe 9 years ago
Now I'm mad because I want to see flowers like this all the time! Waaahh!!!
#11
Final score:
67points
Bobby Beebe 9 years ago
This could come from 1 person's dream and another's nightmare. Love it
#12
Final score:
65points
Bobby Beebe 9 years ago
Disney's new Avatar land in the Animal Kingdom should be watching this post....
#13
Final score:
63points
Bobby Beebe 9 years ago
Ok this one is giving me "Independence Day" alien death ray and I'm ok with that.
#14
Final score:
54points
Bobby Beebe 9 years ago
Meh, when you see 1 UVIVF photo you've seen them all. J/K this is incredible!!
#15
Final score:
54points
#16
Final score:
54points
#17
Final score:
53points
#18
Final score:
52points
Bobby Beebe 9 years ago
You may say Mother Nature's a b***h, but I say she is one beautiful, freaky b***h...
#20
Final score:
51points
#23
Final score:
44points
#25
Final score:
42points
#26
Final score:
41points
#28
Final score:
40points
#30
Final score:
38points
Bobby Beebe 9 years ago
I love the reoccurring space theme found throughout the photos. The duality of earth and sky is mesmerizing and hypnotic.
#31
Final score:
37points
Shawna Poechhacker 9 years ago
If there were flowers in space, I think they'd look like these! 😍
#32
Final score:
37points
Rachael Durkin 9 years ago
For some reason, at first glance, these made me think of Micky Mouse.
#33
Final score:
36points
#34
Final score:
36points
Diana Crick 9 years ago
It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison between this and our every day sight.
#35
Final score:
36points
#37
Final score:
34points
Ariadne.bat 9 years ago
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.
#41
Final score:
33points
#42
Final score:
33points
Ralph Müller 9 years ago
...the answer to all questions is... 42 ( The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy )
#43
Final score:
32points
#44
Final score:
30points
#45
Final score:
30points
#49
Final score:
28points
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Sofia Bellavista 9 years ago
Thank you for your work Craig. I feel so lucky to live in a time when technology allows us to see beyond our senses
Craig Burrows (Post author) 9 years ago
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...
Nim McCoan 9 years ago
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.
Craig Burrows (Post author) 9 years ago
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...
Vervelende Panda 9 years ago
"These photo's capture something we always see, but never can observe'... that's a beautiful sentence!
Priyanka Sarsaiya 9 years ago
Wow ..Just SPECTACULAR.. Great to see the beauty of nature in this way .Beautiful and Magical work by Artist L<3ved it.
Lynette Grobler Botha 9 years ago
I often measure my life in moments that takes my breath away. Thank you Craig, you just did.
Toni Gucho 9 years ago
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.
Audrey Meldrum 6 years ago
So beautiful. God has truly created all things so intricately. You've given us a deeper glimpse into creation. Thank you for your work
Jane Eagle 6 years ago
"These photos capture something we always see, but never can observe." =Mind blown !
Brad Switzer 6 years ago
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.
Patricia Madara-Kilpatrick 6 years ago
These are lovely. Do you mind if I use one as a desktop background for my computer sometime? they are so beautiful.
Deborah Espinoza 9 years ago
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!
Arnold Etson Ramirez Revilla 9 years ago
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.
Regina Bruns 9 years ago
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 :)
That bunny that ate your breakfast 9 years ago
Wow it looks like the normal plants of this world have been transported and adapted to a whole different alien planet! :D
Barry Thompson 9 years ago
Most insects see in UV. Are your photos pretty close to what insects actually perceive?
Shelley Heitland Bauer 9 years ago
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!
Emily Jelassi 9 years ago
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.
Michael Wade 9 years ago
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?
Vincent Jay 9 years ago
Very nice. I saved one for wallpaper, but there are too many nice ones to save them all.
Jan Conatore 9 years ago
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!
Shreya Juyal 9 years ago
Add normal pics too, show the difference with respect to normal sunlight...
Sofia Bellavista 9 years ago
Thank you for your work Craig. I feel so lucky to live in a time when technology allows us to see beyond our senses
Craig Burrows (Post author) 9 years ago
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... Nim McCoan 9 years ago
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.
Craig Burrows (Post author) 9 years ago
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... Vervelende Panda 9 years ago
"These photo's capture something we always see, but never can observe'... that's a beautiful sentence!
Priyanka Sarsaiya 9 years ago
Wow ..Just SPECTACULAR.. Great to see the beauty of nature in this way .Beautiful and Magical work by Artist L<3ved it.
Lynette Grobler Botha 9 years ago
I often measure my life in moments that takes my breath away. Thank you Craig, you just did.
Toni Gucho 9 years ago
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.
Audrey Meldrum 6 years ago
So beautiful. God has truly created all things so intricately. You've given us a deeper glimpse into creation. Thank you for your work
Jane Eagle 6 years ago
"These photos capture something we always see, but never can observe." =Mind blown !
Brad Switzer 6 years ago
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.
Patricia Madara-Kilpatrick 6 years ago
These are lovely. Do you mind if I use one as a desktop background for my computer sometime? they are so beautiful.
Deborah Espinoza 9 years ago
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!
Arnold Etson Ramirez Revilla 9 years ago
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.
Regina Bruns 9 years ago
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 :)
That bunny that ate your breakfast 9 years ago
Wow it looks like the normal plants of this world have been transported and adapted to a whole different alien planet! :D
Barry Thompson 9 years ago
Most insects see in UV. Are your photos pretty close to what insects actually perceive?
Shelley Heitland Bauer 9 years ago
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!
Emily Jelassi 9 years ago
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.
Michael Wade 9 years ago
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?
Vincent Jay 9 years ago
Very nice. I saved one for wallpaper, but there are too many nice ones to save them all.
Jan Conatore 9 years ago
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!
Shreya Juyal 9 years ago
Add normal pics too, show the difference with respect to normal sunlight...
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