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I've photographed hundreds of glowing flowers since 2014 after seeing Oleksandr Holovachov's work with ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence (UVIVF) photography.

Each time I do a set of UVIVF photos, it starts with going out under the cover of darkness to snatch unsuspecting flowers growing around the neighborhood. I rarely know what to expect from a flower before I get it back to shoot. Some I think will dazzle end up flopping, and others I am surprised by their colors or light. Every one is a surprise!

In the same way a tee-shirt blue glows under a black light, most organic material glows at least a little with UV stimulation and in all kinds of colors. To make the most of it, I make sure I'm working in the darkest environment I can and use a 365nm light so the camera can't see the UV light.

Any time the flowers are hit by sunlight, they're letting off their own glow in response and it's simply overwhelmed by the sunlight we can see. These photos capture something we always see, but never can observe.

More info: cpburrows.com

#1

I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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Deb Wicks
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They remind me of the plants in Avitar- wonder if this is how they got the idea. Amazingly beautiful pics!!

Lucy Van Swearingen,
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have this horsemint every spring. I never knew that they looked so wonderful

woodbehr
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting how the various areas of the plant reflect more light than others!

Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi! The glow in UVIVF is often inverse from the brightness in reflected-UV which factors into insect vision. To glow, the UV must be absorbed, so it appears dark. The brightest areas in these photos are more likely to appear dark in reflected-UV.

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Rita Randall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely beautiful! If only we could see it in normal light, that would be sight to behold!

Rita Randall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is so beautiful! I could look at that for hours, how beautiful is our flora and fauna!

Roberta Brown
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perfection in nature. This one has its own galaxy of stars.

Fee Berry
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm interested to know what a plant would look like if you merged these pictures with a "normal" picture of the visible light. They're beautiful, however.

ELAINE Giammetta
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Truly spectacular! So grateful you photographed and shared these images with the public.

Brenda Nero
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pictures are lovely. The shock of being "snatched up" under the cover of darkness must also be apparent in the photos. What do potted plants look like?

Carol Coombe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quite outstanding! Superb. I am grateful to have seen this photo - and for all the scrambling around to get it.

Carol Coombe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quite outstanding! Superb. I am grateful to have seen this - and for all your scrambling around to get it.

Neil Patrick Cabrera
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stunningly amazing! Very Pretty! Reminds me of the movie Avatar and all the glowing flowers! Well done, Mr. Burrows! This is my favorite so far! :)

Tracey Glazebrook
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you ever photograph people this was? (traceyglazebrook@gmail.com)

Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't had the opportunity. I have photographed only myself, but the long exposures and focusing are especially tricky. There are definitely some interesting things that happen to human skin when viewed under a strong ultraviolet light.

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I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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Lori Roman
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg my favorite. I seriously want to buy these and put them all over my home they just are amazing

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Bobby Beebe
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I'm mad because I want to see flowers like this all the time! Waaahh!!!

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Bobby Beebe
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This could come from 1 person's dream and another's nightmare. Love it

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Bobby Beebe
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disney's new Avatar land in the Animal Kingdom should be watching this post....

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Bobby Beebe
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok this one is giving me "Independence Day" alien death ray and I'm ok with that.

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Bobby Beebe
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meh, when you see 1 UVIVF photo you've seen them all. J/K this is incredible!!

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Bobby Beebe
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You may say Mother Nature's a b***h, but I say she is one beautiful, freaky b***h...

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Bobby Beebe
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the reoccurring space theme found throughout the photos. The duality of earth and sky is mesmerizing and hypnotic.

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Rachael Durkin
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For some reason, at first glance, these made me think of Micky Mouse.

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Diana Crick
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison between this and our every day sight.

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Ariadne.bat
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These photographs show that there is more to plants than we think. They have a very stunning beauty that can't be seen in everyday life.

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I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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woodbehr
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Appears molds or fungus on the leaf also glow under this light, if I'm correct.

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I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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Ralph Müller
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...the answer to all questions is... 42 ( The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy )

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Jo King
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These photos are stunning. So glad I didn't miss this post. Thank You.

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