Keeping With The Times

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Melancholy Lilacs II

June 17, 2014 by Barb 22 Comments

Today my still life blends lilacs present with lilacs past.

A fresh bouquet rests on a white tea towel while photos from last spring and a soft mauve scarf draw the eye through the image.

Lilac Still Life, Keeping With the Times

Melancholy-Lilac-with-Scarf1-copyAlthough the end is near, the shrubs still have blooms and even as they droop and fade their scent gets stronger and sweeter. Now there are swarms of swallowtail butterflies and hummingbird moths (hemaris thysbe) and bees and wasps all trying to gather up every single drop of nectar before it’s gone.

The parade of blooms continues in my garden. As the lilacs and anemones near their end, I watch closely as the peony buds double in size on a daily basis and the perennial poppies ready themselves to burst open. New growth and life is everywhere and some days I hardly know where to start. I do know that if I don’t move quickly the moment will pass. But some moments will pass and I’m good with that. Some moments are simply meant to be savoured, not saved.

Be Still 52 Class

Day 4: Make it Happen

kk_melancholy LR Preset

Texture: Cora/Soft Light 50%

Filed Under: Still Life Tagged With: be still 52 class, flower, lightroom, lilacs, photoshop, texture

Comments

  1. Barbara says

    June 17, 2014 at 5:59 am

    Oh Barb, these images are to die for, love, love, love! Wonderful display of photo in photo and beautiful processing.

    Reply
  2. Dotti says

    June 17, 2014 at 5:59 am

    I am so enjoying your lilacs since ours are long gone. A beautiful still life, Barb. Don’t you just love this time of year in the garden? June is my favorite garden month, so many things blooming all at once. Even if it can’t be saved, it is great to savor.

    Reply
  3. Barbara Hurst says

    June 17, 2014 at 6:41 am

    You can almost smell these from the photo, love the softness of the images with the preset, Very beautiful Barb

    Reply
  4. Michelle B says

    June 17, 2014 at 6:55 am

    So much beautiful purple. I love how you have the pictures from last year in your still life. You are right, it is hard to capture all the moments of a garden, but we can sure try!

    Reply
  5. TexWisGirl says

    June 17, 2014 at 6:57 am

    just wonderful. that is like how the bluebonnets are here – as they go just beyond peak, their scent is overwhelming!

    Reply
  6. kim says

    June 17, 2014 at 8:24 am

    im so in love with these images barb….. truly… beautiful…

    Reply
  7. Donna says

    June 17, 2014 at 8:35 am

    Barb, These images are so beautiful. I love your soft and dreamy edits. Every detail – the scarf softy draped, the stray blossoms, the polaroids in the backdrop – adds to the story. For me, your pictures tell the story, of the love you have for your garden and the flowers and the bittersweet realization that flowers fade and the joy of the moment. Lilacs and peonies and hydrangeas and old-fashioned roses – these are my favorites. Can’t wait to see your next post – peonies?

    Reply
  8. Terri Porter says

    June 17, 2014 at 9:25 am

    So beautifully shot and processed! I’m just swooning with all that beautiful lilac color and your processing turns these shots into beautiful art! Nicely done.

    Reply
  9. Sheila says

    June 17, 2014 at 9:57 am

    Your images and processing are amazing! I love the faded softness of your images. Our area didn’t have many lilacs this year (too wet I think) but our peonies are blooming wildly now. So nice to enjoy the many flower of summer :)

    Reply
  10. Nina says

    June 17, 2014 at 10:51 am

    Beautiful lilacs, Barb! I love the play with the focus in the upper and lower picture – so soft end delightful!

    Reply
  11. Sarah says

    June 17, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    I didn’t get to see too many lilacs this year! Yours are beautiful. You are rockin’ the still lifes!

    Reply
  12. Sylvia says

    June 17, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    Love those wonderful mauve tones, Barb !
    Your photos are gorgeous … pretty lilacs, nicely captured !
    Have a great week,
    Sylvia

    Reply
  13. lisa says

    June 17, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    So nicely done, Barb.
    Wonderful softness in each one.

    Reply
  14. Sherri Cassell says

    June 17, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    So gorgeous and beautifully composed!

    Reply
  15. Deanna@Snippets from Springdale says

    June 17, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    My lilacs did not bloom this year….insert sad face, but I am truly enjoying yours. Altho I have to imagine the wonderful essence.

    Reply
  16. S. Etole says

    June 17, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    These have a soft nostalgic feel to them.

    Reply
  17. Kiy says

    June 17, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    ~ so very pretty! I love the softness the purple scarf adds to your flowers!

    Reply
  18. Christina @The DIY Mommy says

    June 17, 2014 at 10:37 pm

    What gorgeous photos! I wish lilacs lasted forever. I found your blog on the One Man’s Treasure, and I’m a fellow Stony Plain girl!

    Reply
  19. Christina @The DIY Mommy says

    June 17, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    *One Man’s Treasure page on Facebook, that is!

    Reply
  20. Beverly says

    June 18, 2014 at 5:35 am

    Some of the pretties lilac images I’ve seen Barb! I love the softness and dreamy feel. Beautiful!

    Reply
  21. Cheryl M says

    June 18, 2014 at 8:38 am

    Oh I DO love that melancholy preset. Stunning images Barb. Great idea to use past and present in your images.

    Reply
  22. Earl says

    June 19, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    Beautifully done. I especially like the second photo. My eye is drawn to the photo im the image and I like it in focus rather than the flowers being in focus.

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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