Back when I got my first DSLR about 6 years ago, I took a lot of pictures of flowers. They are a natural choice for someone honing their skills with a new camera - colourful, lots of variety, very patient, and no complaints when you point a camera at them. Every time there was a new bloom in the garden, I'd be out there with my camera and tripod aiming for ever more simple and - in my mind at least - artistic compositions. In fact, for a couple of years, I suspect many people thought that was all I photographed. The images came in very handy as for several years I produced an annual calendar which made a very attractive Christmas gift. The calendars form an interesting retrospective showing how my style and skills have changed over the past few years, at least within this genre.
I've drifted away from floral photography over the years. I still enjoy the process and results, but I don't find myself going out of my way to practice the art like I used to. In fact, when I sat down to look at putting together this year's calendar, I found I didn't have 12 images of flowers I considered worthy of inclusion. The calendar will have a different theme this year, and maybe in 12 months time I'll have enough pictures to return to the floral theme. Or, perhaps not.
