Have you ever heard of a black Dahlia?

So I had a super beautiful and rare black Dahlia, yes a black Dahlia in my hands. I never knew black Dahlia’s existed. Nature photography gives me the opportunity to learn so much. She was oh so beautiful and I knew I could find a place for her in my portfolio. I felt honoured to be in her prescence, black Dahlias are rare and here I am with one in my hands.. She must be in my hands for a reason, she had a story and I have the ability to find and share it.

Starting a photograph and story this way isn’t easy. I much prefer to start with a loose plan and a bit of a direction… It’s a beautiful challenge though. I felt obliged to do my job and begin the search knowing I would be guided along the way. and that when I found her story it would be so beautifully astounding.

Always using a macro lens

As usual, with my favourite macro lens attached to my camera body I dive in. I am hunting across the surface, an inch away from her. I search from the side, from above, from below. I look at her with back light, side light, harsh light, delicate soft light. An hour in and as I am only human my frustration grows. What on earth is her story and where can I find it!

I consider letting go, maybe I read the signs wrong, maybe I was just meant to enjoy my beautiful black Dahlia and leave her be…

It’s a good time for lunch and a walk.

The importance of stepping away

While I take a break, I have a relentless calling to go back.

So now I know without a shadow of a doubt I can’t rest until this is done. I am committed, I am now not going to stop until I find her story and at least get the photograph I need to document it. Not worrying, I know these things have a way of working out, I clean the slate and start again. I reset my gear. I wonder if black on black would be too much….?

Placing the Dahlia on a black background actually puts a beautiful mystery in motion. I’m loving it and wonder if stepping back a little could be the answer. Black on black can be tricky so from here its just a matter of ensuring the right lighting to allow the Dahlia to separate from the background. Looking at the test shots I’m taking, I love what I am seeing but want to step back even further. I’m wanted to have the entire Dahlia in the frame.

Once I do this, and get my final shot in the frame I know it instantly. This is it.

When I knew I had my shot

Staring for a minute at this photo, I do a quick black and white conversion and then let myself be consumed. I can feel her story here. The image of a beautiful, special teenaged girl I know so very well pops into my mind. I can see the correlation. I know her story thoroughly now and it’s the best feeling, I am confident I can take it from here.

Black offers the energy of strength, elegance, intrigue, mystery, protection and offers a safe space to hold emotion. Having the Dahlia emerging from the darkness ever so partially. She appears to wish to be confident enough to come out and stand in the light, to be herself, to show the world who she truly is. But she deems it to be safer to blend in and not stand out. If she does stand in the light she may not be accepted. She isn’t sure if she is good enough, pretty enough, funny enough. She has so many incredible talents that risk never being seen. She is incredibly beautiful. I can see her there but I so desperately wish to encourage her out so I can see more. To see her reach her full potential, to see her give her gifts to the world.

Focus

I have only the top half of the flower in sharp focus. This is all she shows us distinctly, we are only allowed to see half of her clearly. But we also get a glimpse of the parts she is yet to share wih us.

I love this photograph and story, partially because it came to me. I feel like it was given to me to create, but mostly because I can relate also.

I only wish to live my life without any regrets. I work hard, I love hard, I aim to be who I am and not be afraid if that is not accepted. My goal is to live and love authentically. In big ways and in small ways. Possibly this photograph was meant to be, possibly it was meant to be for me as sometimes I have photographs and things I write that I think twice about sharing.

Possibly it was meant to be for me as there are many, many things about me that people, even friends don’t know. Maybe I need to stop holding back and be who I am completely. Either way, this photograph resonates with me and I very much hope it resonates with others and it reaches the people who need to be inspired to live authentically. In a world that seems to be increasingly leaning towards living a superficial existence, of following others and needing to be validated by external sources, I worry the gifts that hide within us that are very much needed, will never be acknowledged, nourished and shared.

Why we all need to be who we are here to be

Imagine if Prince decided to hide and follow the masses. Imagine if Muhummad Ali thought he had better sit quietly on his talents in case people didn’t approve. What if J.K Rowling worried so much that she worked behind the counter at a supermarket because it was safer and she would be less vulnerable.

All of humanity would have wished that they had the courage to take a risk and put themselves out there. They would have been kicked back down many times, but they knew they had something in them that needed to be shared. And they chose to live authentically and live without regret.

If you have something inside that calls you to be set free, please go and do just that. You have these skills and passions for a reason, and the world needs you to share them.

Thank you so much for being here,

The Humble Hunter x

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