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Spoils of spring – Western Salsify puffballs

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Alessandra Chaves

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I carefully picked some Western Salsify puffballs and started photographing the seeds in my home studio. It takes a long time to place the seeds in such a way that they look relatively isolated, while in the same time making the frame look naturally messy.

As I arranged the seeds and broken puffballs to represent the final dissolution, the spread of parts, aspirations, dreams and drama back to the earth, to give life a fresh start- my mind questioned: how long do I have, and why do I spend so much of my precious time left, and resources, making photographs? Should I use my free time more wisely? Should I go on more hikes, spend more time with family, see friends more often, read more books? Time flies, and soon this puffball is I.

I left the spoils and broken seeds on the table of my studio. Maybe I’ll work on them later. Maybe not.

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21 responses to “Spoils of spring – Western Salsify puffballs”

  1. Mark Wade Avatar
    Mark Wade

    Photography is being in the moment with a singular mission. The end result. It may require helpers, but they must be captured within the mission focus.
    The drive for this need to create was assigned to muse goddesses in ancient times. Like outside forces driving our thoughts and actions. That’s how strong it is
    Yes, we should all be more in the moment with everyone else to the exclusion of this madness. And yes, many times we will ignore that reason to bring those “everyone else” something beautiful and meaningful…thoughtful.
    It is a tightrope.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Mike Ross Avatar
      Mike Ross

      Or we can just shoot first and ask questions later.

      Liked by 1 person

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    2. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Thanks For your thoughtful comments.

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  2. Mike Ross Avatar
    Mike Ross

    Great composition Alessandra, but its much more challenging to shoot them outside on a windy day. 🌬 Of course I am a masochist. 🤨

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Yes! I wouldn’t try that.

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  3. Darlene Avatar
    Darlene

    I love the symbolism!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. echidnaorangevarda3344 Avatar
    echidnaorangevarda3344

    Only a real photographer would have broken-up puffballs laying on their work table. Not long ago, I had a cattail, and had similar thoughts about the project. But here you put together a good photo.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Thank you, cattail is a lot of fun!

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  5. Steve Heap Avatar
    Steve Heap

    Interesting question. I’ve given up creating concept stock photos, such as a mock-up of blood tests for monkeypox, even though they probably would have sold. I’d rather be out and about and focused on images that people may actually like. I think your image above does fall into that latter category though. Very nicely composed and shot. But do spend more time with family and just out in the world as well!

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Thank you. I feel like a have soooo many pictures already. Sometimes I feel like I don’t need anymore. I wish I’d concentrated more on concept stock photos but I never felt the excitement of it. I work already so when I take photos I want the activity to be pleasurable.

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  6. Steve Schwartzman Avatar
    Steve Schwartzman

    The math teacher will point out that even if we lived a thousand years, any finite number is still as nothing compared to infinity. As someone a good deal older than you, I’ve asked myself the same questions you posed here, and have likewise weighed photography against other uses of my time. So far I’ve chosen to still keep going out and taking pictures. For how much longer, who knows?

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. howg2211 Avatar
    howg2211

    What a perfect follow up to a book I literally just finished reading yesterday. The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. It’s all about free will, religion, the meaning of life, but in story form. There’s a quote I got from it that I love …..something like ‘all that ever was will always be and all that will be always was’.

    I think in the end we need to do some things that are just for us and bring us enjoyment. If it’s photography it’s photography.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Yes, that was perfect.

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  8. shoreacres Avatar
    shoreacres

    Working in a studio isn’t for me; I’d rather be outdoors, where nature creates the messiness. That said, whichever form(s) of photography we prefer, surely enjoyment should be one result of our investment of time. Often enough, I’ll tell someone, “Each of us has all the time there is. What differs are the decisions we make about how to use it.” I remind myself of that occasionally.

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Puffballs out in California’s windy outdoors would sure be messy.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Steve Gingold Avatar
    Steve Gingold

    Each person has to decide what is important. I don’t worry about how much time I have left. At 74 I could be gone at any time or not for a while. Steve S and I were just joking about that. We all would like to think that we have lots to look forward to. I do photography because i enjoy it and it gives my life a little more meaning than without. There are always other things to attract our attention, or demand it, so we make our priorities. I am pretty sure that Mary Beth will not do much with my photographs if I proceed her so posterity isn’t in the equation. Enjoy whatever you pursue. If it becomes burdensome move on.
    This is a nice experiment. Making indoor arrangements is not my style but I do enjoy those you have presented to us. Keep at it and you’ll have a nice portfolio full of your creations that are unlike anyone else’s work.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Sometimes I think that I spend way too much time photographing, but you’re right, it gives my life more meaning than without.

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      Reply
  10. Lakshmi Bhat Avatar
    Lakshmi Bhat

    Lovely photo. It is nice to do what we enjoy, but I suppose we have to make time for so much more in life, otherwise we end up saying, there is no time. Regards

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Yes, balance is needed.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Happy Independence Day! – It is all about the light Avatar
    Happy Independence Day! – It is all about the light

    […] Last year I opened Independence Day with the image below, but for this year I made a different one, and inverted the image (featured image) to create a sharp contrast between black and white. Inverted images are analogous to a negative in film. Both images are about the Demise of the Salsify Puffball. […]

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