Sometimes I see a unique personification in the subject of a Flower Essences shot that I really try to bring out when photographing the wild flower. The Showy Milkweed has a very peculiar look when fully bloomed, and its buds introduce this strangeness as they hang off a center ball in a dome like shape. The whole plant frankly looks like an Alien before and after it blooms.

I tried to accentuate this feeling when I framed the shot. The focus is in an odd location at the upper left most bud. This both causes a slight discomfort, and confronts you like the Alien from the movie. The energy then moves diagonally down right as the countless other pods of blooms fade in varying degrees to the background. The progressive blurring gives the sense they kind of go onto infinity, as they jut and thrust, each in their own particular direction. This also adds more tension the photo.

The deep maroons combine with how the Showy Milkweed was shot make it a very strong statement piece. It could easily anchor anything from a formal living space, to a board room, to a rustic great room — taxidermy not included. And it may look Alien, But it’s Actually Native.

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