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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

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I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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

Oh WOW-I do scanography of flowers-with beautiful results-this is a whole new level-congratulations!

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

I had to look up scanography, but that's really cool. Gets me thinking - what if you could replace the light bar in a scanner with properly filtered UV lights. ;)

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

Where did you buy this special light? I would love to try this!

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

You can buy 365nm lights all over online. They use LEDs which helps keep the non-UV emission down, but you'll also need a filter that blocks non-UV light.

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

This is stunning! I'm in awe. I would hang these everywhere if I knew how to take pictures like this.

Roberta Brown
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I adore this one. It's so delicate with a a riot of color and textures. Like a 4th of July celebration.

Teri Strachan
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

awesome and mind blowing -. makes me wonder about all other wonders that occur that we cannot see or hear .

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

This picture makes me thing of heaven. It looks as if you're at a different dimensions looking at unfamiliar things!

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

nice, which kind of "Metrosideros" species is this one? and a bit more info because I really like your work!: I studied floral ecology on university and this is basically what we did to do research on bee-flower interaction, but not in the artful way as you do. anyway I ran through some of your comments and your initial statement, that you never know what to exspect from each flower. to help you to find more interesting species just google "uv floral guides" which will give you a nice summary of uv-active flowers (plant species). I hope you can get from there to do even more awesome work! and another hint about your setup: by accident I found that the "cheap" lenses will transmit more uv light (which is normally blocked highly on the good expensive lenses, because uv will kill your sensor over time). so even if it is not a macro lens the standard 50mm f1,8 canon lens will transmit way more uv and you can cut down your exposure time (maybe use some macro rings to get closer)

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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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I Make Flowers Glow To Photograph Their Invisible Light

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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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