nature

As I get older, I appreciate the natural world more and more and this is reflected in my photography and writing.

The colour pink

/ Su Leslie / 38 Comments

Tulip petals, multiple exposure shot. Image: Su Leslie

Pink is the colour of the month at Jude’s Life in Colour photo challenge.

Pink is often consdered a calming colour; associated with love, kindness, and femininity. A by-word for all things romantic, feminine and girly.

Yet interestingly, in the 19th century, pink was considered a colour more appropriate for boys; a childish version of the “masculine” colour red.

My photo archives are full of pink-in-nature (yeah, I love photographing flowers), but I’m challenging myself to look beyond my obvious. So here’s my pot pourri of pinks; foodie things, arty things, a sunrise, found objects and some photo-experiments; in-camera and with PhotoShop.

Dried rosebuds for a tisane. Image: Su Leslie

Putting out the best china. Image: Su Leslie

Lux Festival of Lights, Wellington, NZ. Image: Su Leslie

Eco-print; eucalyptus leaf on silk. Image: Su Leslie

Door knocker, seen in Bordeaux, France. Image: Su Leslie

Out of reach. Image: Su Leslie

Seeing double. Multiple exposure shot of pohutukawa leaves. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Mangere sunrise. Auckland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie

Image: Su Leslie

Image: Su Leslie

Give it a whirl; making the troll dizzy with PhotoShop. Image: Su Leslie

If you’d like to join in, pop over to Travel Words and read Jude’s introduction.

The colour green

/ Su Leslie / 58 Comments
Close up shot of fern frond. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Fern frond. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Green is the colour of the month at Jude’s Life in Colour photo challenge.

It’s a colour heavily encumbered with association; denoting renewal, nature, harmony, freshness, and the environment — while at the same time being associated with money, greed and jealousy.

Seen from space, New Zealand looks like a series of small jade islands in the vast Pacific. It would be easy to fill a post with the landscapes and flora familiar to me, but instead I’ve sought green in other realms of life.

Food for example (unexpected I know!)

Eat your greens. Image: Su Leslie

Feijoas. Image: Su Leslie

Making tarragon vinegar. Image: Su Leslie

Mint slice al fresco. Image: Su Leslie

And of course art …

Glass chandelier. Image: Su Leslie

Art class. Image: Su Leslie

Light sculpture. Image: Su Leslie

Taking it outside. Fence at artist’s studio. Image: Su Leslie

And life’s small treasures

Vintage water glasses. Image: Su Leslie

A kiwi classic, Fun Ho! toy truck. Image: Su Leslie

The intersection of art and nature. Image: Su Leslie

Morning walk. Image: Su Leslie

If you’d like to join in, pop over to Travel Words and read Jude’s introduction.

Linger in the sun

/ Su Leslie / 20 Comments

Image: Su Leslie

Today I’m taking inspiration from Tracy (at Reflections of an Untidy Mind), and am bringing you some music with my regular Friday Flowers.

Gaelyn Lea is an incredibly talented American musician and advocate for disability rights. Someday We’ll Linger in the Sun is beautiful and haunting. Her words feel absolutely right for this time.

Don’t tell me we’ve got time

The subtle thief of life

It slips away when we pay no mind

— Gaelyn Lea, Someday We’ll Linger in the Sun

The letter S

/ Su Leslie / 34 Comments

Sunset, Christmas Beach, Herald Island, NZ. Image: Su Leslie

Many (many) years ago, I used to watch the TV programme Sesame Street with my baby brother. At the end of each show, the “sponsor” announcement went something like “today’s show has been brought to you by the letters … (take your pick) and the number … (usually a small one)”.

This week’s Lens-Artists challenge, which asks for subjects beginning with the letter S, reminds me of that (and how convenient that the show was called Sesame Street).

So of course we have a sunset.

And how about some sea, sand and sky?

Kakanui Beach, Otago, NZ. Image: Su Leslie

Or sunflowers.

Image: Su Leslie

Perhaps something sweet …

Image: Su Leslie

Or do you prefer savory?

Image: Su Leslie

I like to sew …

Image: Su Leslie

But I’ll leave singing to others.

Image: Su Leslie

Amongst the visual arts, I’m particularly fond of sculpture.

Sometimes serious …

‘Gretchen’ Sam Harrison, 2014. Exhibited at NZ Sculpture OnShore, Devonport, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie

Sometimes a little bit silly?

‘Damien Hurst Looking for Sharks’ Cool Shit, 2018. Exhibited at Sculpture by the Sea Bondi, NSW, Australia. Image: Su Leslie

Just like Smurfs on a road trip …

Image: Su Leslie

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge subjects beginning with the letter S