CONTRARY PETALS

There’s something compelling about the unexpected, about seeing something in a way you never anticipated. Contrary Petals: Beauty in the Negative, is a collection born out of such an experience. As a photographer, I’ve always sought to find connection in the details, whether capturing a person’s essence or the quiet strength of a flower. This time, however, I found beauty not in the vibrant colors of the flowers themselves, but in their absence.

The idea for this series began with photographs I originally put aside. Bright, bold colors against dark backdrops – a combination that didn’t align with my typical aesthetic. These images, sat untouched, until a new idea revealed their hidden potential. I decided to invert them, turning color into black and white, and transforming their entire feel. Suddenly, what was once dismissed became captivating.

The result was striking – soft petals rendered in deep black against vast white spaces, a stark contrast that pulled attention in ways I hadn’t expected. The delicate nature of the flowers still came through, but this time with a sense of mystery and drama that the original colors couldn’t convey. The transition from something familiar into something entirely different is what gave rise to the name Contrary Petals.

It’s a reminder that beauty often lies in what we overlook, and that by embracing the contrary, we can see things anew. This collection celebrates that shift in perspective, finding elegance and meaning in what was once passed over. Just as these flowers are transformed in their negative space, there’s always potential for beauty in the most unexpected places – if we take the time to look.