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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

#1

I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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Ann Grimes
Community Member
8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So ethereal and stunning! Thank you Craig Burrows.

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    I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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    #3

    I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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    Priyanka Sarsaiya
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    beautiful .. is it pollen all over the bigger flower?

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    I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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    Lori Roman
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omg my favorite. I seriously want to buy these and put them all over my home they just are amazing

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    I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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    Bobby Beebe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I imagine this is what all flowers look like on LSD...

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    Bobby Beebe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now I'm mad because I want to see flowers like this all the time! Waaahh!!!

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    I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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    Bobby Beebe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This could come from 1 person's dream and another's nightmare. Love it

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    #12

    I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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    Bobby Beebe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Disney's new Avatar land in the Animal Kingdom should be watching this post....

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    I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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    Bobby Beebe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok this one is giving me "Independence Day" alien death ray and I'm ok with that.

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    Bobby Beebe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Meh, when you see 1 UVIVF photo you've seen them all. J/K this is incredible!!

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    Bobby Beebe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You may say Mother Nature's a b***h, but I say she is one beautiful, freaky b***h...

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    #20

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    ErMerGerd ItBecky
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks like a creature from an alien wold, mesmerising

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    Annie Tronetti
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm finding that I hold my breath, waiting for each picture.

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    Diana Crick
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The sheer perfection of each flower is breathtaking!

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    Bobby Beebe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the reoccurring space theme found throughout the photos. The duality of earth and sky is mesmerizing and hypnotic.

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    Shawna Poechhacker
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If there were flowers in space, I think they'd look like these! 😍

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    Rachael Durkin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For some reason, at first glance, these made me think of Micky Mouse.

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    I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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    Diana Crick
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison between this and our every day sight.

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    Ariadne.bat
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    woodbehr
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Appears molds or fungus on the leaf also glow under this light, if I'm correct.

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    Diana Crick
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look at the very fine hairs along the edge of the flower pods

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    woodbehr
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the delicate textures of the petals is stunning

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    #42

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    Ralph Müller
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ...the answer to all questions is... 42 ( The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy )

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    Regina Ali
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That looks like tiny vines covered in Spanish moss.

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    Jo King
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These photos are stunning. So glad I didn't miss this post. Thank You.

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