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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
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#2
Final score:
135points
Judy Orcutt 9 years ago
Oh WOW-I do scanography of flowers-with beautiful results-this is a whole new level-congratulations!
Craig Burrows (Submission author) 9 years ago
I had to look up scanography, but that's really cool. Gets me thinking - what if you could replace the light bar in a scanner with properly filtered UV lights. ;)
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Craig Burrows (Submission author) 9 years ago
You can buy 365nm lights all over online. They use LEDs which helps keep the non-UV emission down, but you'll also need a filter that blocks non-UV light.
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Roberta Brown 6 years ago
I adore this one. It's so delicate with a a riot of color and textures. Like a 4th of July celebration.
Teri Strachan 6 years ago
awesome and mind blowing -. makes me wonder about all other wonders that occur that we cannot see or hear .
Neil Patrick Cabrera 8 years ago
This picture makes me thing of heaven. It looks as if you're at a different dimensions looking at unfamiliar things!
Alle Ziele 9 years ago
nice, which kind of "Metrosideros" species is this one? and a bit more info because I really like your work!: I studied floral ecology on university and this is basically what we did to do research on bee-flower interaction, but not in the artful way as you do. anyway I ran through some of your comments and your initial statement, that you never know what to exspect from each flower. to help you to find more interesting species just google "uv floral guides" which will give you a nice summary of uv-active flowers (plant species). I hope you can get from there to do even more awesome work! and another hint about your setup: by accident I found that the "cheap" lenses will transmit more uv light (which is normally blocked highly on the good expensive lenses, because uv will kill your sensor over time). so even if it is not a macro lens the standard 50mm f1,8 canon lens will transmit way more uv and you can cut down your exposure time (maybe use some macro rings to get closer)
#4
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131points
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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
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#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
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54points
#16
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#17
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#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
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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
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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
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32points
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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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