New York: Gramercy Park
Inspiration: I am a lover of tulips, originally known as Laleh in Turkey. They signify springtime and happiness to me. I thought tulips originated in Holland. Not so. They are native to Turkey and Central Asia. In fact, the Dutch saw them first in, and imported them from, Turkey in the 16th century, and eventually took the lead in the commercial cultivation of the flower. As much as I love tulips, it's wild to believe that they are responsible for wars and the financial ruin of thousands of people! If you are interested in the history of Tulips, you might wish to read "The Tulip" by Anna Pavrod. It is the "story of a flower that has made men mad. . ."
So, on cold, rainy Sunday, I walked to Gramercy Park (one of my favorite little gems in the city, even though I have no access inside) to practice some macro photography. The center and edges of the park are filled with some of the biggest tulips I've seen in a while. They literally pile through the iron bars enclosing the park. I spent about an hour or more crouched over these magnificent beauties getting soaked by the rain. It was worth it. Raindrops provide such a natural sparkle and glow.
P.S. For color photos of Tulipas, click here.
I love the raindrops. And of course the black and white treatment.
Posted by: Nicholas Leong | April 27, 2010 at 02:50 AM
I love the naturalness of these photos
Posted by: thestreetfashion5xpro | April 27, 2010 at 05:27 AM
Oh my! How absolutely gorgeous!!! Tulips are one of my favourite flowers too! (along with orchids)
xx
Posted by: Brigadeiro | April 27, 2010 at 05:40 AM
Your photos are sublime! I like details with drops.
A french carrot
Posted by: Carotte | April 27, 2010 at 06:37 AM
Very nice work! I guess you know Weston & Mapplethorpe? I still prefer the colour versions, though. I did pictures of tulips a few years ago - they were very different, though. Once I have completed publishing an archive series on Brasilia on my blog, I shall indulge in publishing those tulip pictures.
http://davidikus.blogspot.com
Posted by: davidikus | April 27, 2010 at 06:55 AM
Those Tulips look scrumptous.
I wanna eat them.
The b/w finish makes me more hungry.
Wait! Tulips aren't edible or are they?
Posted by: The Nyanzi Report | April 27, 2010 at 08:21 AM
Beautiful. The details here are phenomenal.
Posted by: Prêt à Porter P | April 27, 2010 at 08:40 AM
amazing! before reading your post i though you did that in a studio!!! i also love tulips, i like their minimalist simplicity.
Posted by: Carole | April 27, 2010 at 08:40 AM
B & W for these photos for sure. I would rather imagine what colours they may be ...and I think that it would take away from the structure of the petals too! Beautiful.
Posted by: Nadine2point0.blogspot.com | April 27, 2010 at 10:39 AM
I love how moody these are. The soft dark mood is stunning.
Posted by: Alice Olive | April 27, 2010 at 11:03 AM
Once again, beautiful beautiful work!
~taryn xx
Posted by: taryn | April 27, 2010 at 03:09 PM
Very calm n cool. inspiring
Posted by: IKED | April 27, 2010 at 04:22 PM
wow I am amazed by the quality of your photos
Posted by: Marilynka | April 27, 2010 at 08:41 PM
These are beautiful.
Posted by: Lisa | April 27, 2010 at 10:15 PM
These photos are fantastic. WOW!
Posted by: Rodney | April 27, 2010 at 10:31 PM
You have some wonderful photography! love it! Flowers just always seem to brighten our day! beautiful!
Posted by: akaCola | April 27, 2010 at 10:48 PM
beautiful!!
and it's sexy.
Posted by: Lady M | April 28, 2010 at 06:28 AM
This is absolutely stunning. My favourite are tulips too :) And I had no idea that they originated from Turkey! I was there a few months ago (although in Winter clearly, so no flowers :( ). I adore the B&W ones, really great work :)
Posted by: Helen | April 28, 2010 at 11:51 AM
These are beautiful. I still remember walking in my mom's garden when I was 4 or 5 and looking at the red tulips with the yellow and black centers. So pretty and such a sign of Spring!
Posted by: Catherine at Littlehouse of Style | April 29, 2010 at 06:31 PM
Ahh... This reminds me I need to go out and buy myself some tulips before they are out of season.
Posted by: The Ephemera | April 29, 2010 at 08:33 PM
Beautiful macro, love it!
Posted by: CROATOR.NET | April 30, 2010 at 06:36 PM
Wooow! Amazing work! I can already see these pictures in art galleries for sale! :)
Posted by: Antonio Barros | May 1, 2010 at 06:45 AM
Wowzer Bowser!!! just off the hook! I am so in love with these! When I pulled this page up I litteraly exclamed out loud.
Posted by: Cristi | May 1, 2010 at 09:27 AM
Lovely and inspiring.
Posted by: babababble | May 3, 2010 at 04:31 PM
New to your work. The last one really stands out. Great use of black and white.
Posted by: The Sentimental Bloke | May 8, 2010 at 11:09 PM