Is it any wonder growing things return us to our roots? To that first moment when a seed quickened. Spreading roots so deep as to bend the arc of life.
I like this one. It is my kind of photograph—a dreamy macro with a focus so soft you could fall asleep in it. I’ve gone on about it many times before, but macros are my origin story. Back in 2012 spraying and praying one flower photograph at a time. A brute force attack that brought learning through trial, error, and repetition. Maybe not the sexiest approach however elegant in its simplicity. It sure worked for me.
This purple coneflower used to be an orange coneflower. It’s somewhere around four-ish seasons old, and it’s changed its tune, so to speak. My shot in the dark guess is it that there is some association to pH levels of the soil. Emphasis on the guess and shot in the dark part. I am not complaining, however, as the purple is proper upgrade.
Irrespective of color, coneflowers make an outstanding subject. Sturdy, shapely, symmetrical, and with great hues and tones, it’s a surefire hit for a solid shot. I encourage you to get out there and frame one up for yourselves. Put that smartphone camera to work!
Photo details
- Photographed: 1 July 2025
- Lighting: Mid-morning
- Weather: Partly cloudy
- Location: Ocean Acres, New Jersey
- Time: ~1000
- Tripod: No
- Exposure: One at 1/125 of a second