Floridiana Gloriana

'Palm & Shadows' by Zen Sutherland | DeLand | Creative Commons

Here is a piece of art created by a North Carolina photographer who visited DeLand on vacation.  It's one of those photographs that just makes me gaze and gaze. As I've often said, I'm all about the strange lighting effects.   

 'Palms and shadows' by  Zen Sutherland |  Website:  Zenscription  | To see his Flickr photostream, click here | To see the largest version of this photograph available on Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or use it without consulting the terms of the license (link shown here)

'Sunset in Key Biscayne' by Ralph Orona | Used by Permission

Ralph Orona has kindly permitted to use this beautiful sunset shot from Key Biscayne,  I love the gorgeous, serene radiance of it.  If you look at it for a moment, you feel as if you're standing right there.....

Sunset in Key Biscayne by Ralph Orona | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  Ralph Orona Photography | To see the largest version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

Used by permission.  This image should not be reproduced, published, transmitted in any forum (even via e-mails) or in print or in any other physical or electronic forum either in part or in whole without the explicit written consent from the copyright owner.

'Pineda' by Don Jones | Brevard | Creative Commons

Photographer Don Jones, who does such amazing night shots and such evocative photos of old Florida houses, took this vintage-feeling and very painterly shot of State Road 404, the Pineda Causeway.  It's the primary access road to Patrick Air Force Base.  It made me feel very sentimental when I saw it----it's so like the postcards of Florida from the 1969's, with those pastels and all that intense green. 

'Pineda' by Don Jones |  To see his other photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph.  It is subject to a restricted Creative Commons license, permitting certain limited noncommercial uses.  Before using or downloading it, consult the terms of the applicable license.  You may view it here.

'St. Pete' by Caleb | St. Petersburg | Creative Commons

More of Caleb's St. Petersburg magic with late afternoon light and color.  This is my favorite time to photograph in Florida:  the colors are so saturated and so intense in that slanting golden light.  I love the contrasting textures here:  the rough apricot-colored stucco with its red roof; the light on the trunk of the palm tree, and behind it all, the beautiful blue of the sky and those delicate silvery-grey clouds.  Very painterly, but do painters know about afternoon light and color?

'St. Pete' by Caleb |To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | website:  calebism; subtropicalnoir.com | To see the full-sized version of this photograph, click here
 

I do not own the rights to this photograph.  It is subject to a restricted Creative Commons license, permitting certain limited noncommercial uses.  Before using or downloading it, consult the terms of the applicable license.  You may view it here.

'hazy, hot, and humid' by Joiseyshowaa (B. Katz) | Gainesville | Creative Commons

Here is a breath-taking photograph of palm trees on a summer night.   It was apparently taken in Gainesville, so the title is apt; don't let the cool, silvery color fool you.  Note how each tree is surrounded by a ghostly silver aura, but of an aura of what?---reflected moonlight?  Electromagnetic energy?  An exudation of heat from the day? A distillation of moisture from the leaves?  My imagination? 

No--they're quite distinct.   Perhaps the photographer has an unsuspected gift for photographing auras.  I never really believed they existed till I saw this.

A magnificent shot, which has deservedly received much praise at Flickr.

"hazy, hot, and humid" by joiseyshowaa (B. Katz) | To see his Flickr photostream, click here | To see the larger version of this image at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license which allows limited noncommercial use.  Do not save or download it without consulting the terms of the license (shown here).

'St Pete' by Caleb | St. Petersburg | Creative Commons

Photographer Caleb clearly loves that certain slant of afternoon light as much as I do.  Look at the way the light shines along the crenellations (?) at the top of this beautiful Spanish style house and along the trunk of the palm tree and in the palm branches.  Note how the sky fades from blue to that watery Gulf-green.  Look at the two dark red jars.

'St. Pete' by Caleb | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | website:  calebism; subtropicalnoir.com | To see the full-sized version of this photograph, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph.  It is subject to a restricted Creative Commons license, permitting certain limited noncommercial uses.  Before using or downloading it, consult the terms of the applicable license.  You may view it here.

'No Picnic' | Cedar Island | Winter, c. 1997

My late husband Don took this photograph during a day trip to western Florida (Taylor County).  We just stumbled upon this row of houses out on the Gulf---very quiet, very peaceful, very silent.  There was a little park nearby and Don took this photograph.  You can see the beautiful blue-green cedar in the background.  It's a lovely Florida winter scene.

'Red, White, and Blue Chairs' by Natasja | Islamorada | Creative Commons

An entirely different angle on the Keys...

 

'Red, White, and Blue Chairs'  by Natasja   | click here to see her other photos | website:  Pixels and Photos | Click here to go to Flickr to see the full-sized version

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license is shown here.

'Palm' by Lucian Badea | Used by Permission

I love all of Florida, but Northern Florida is where I'm from, so naturally I am particularly moved by photographs which portray its beauties.

Photographer Lucian Badea of Twisted Visions has created some beautiful and artistic photographs reflecting his own special vision of  North Florida.  I loved this one because of the way he managed to capture the light reflected on the palm leaves---each one has its own reflections against the violet/indigo sky. 

'Palm' by Lucian Badea |  See his work at Twisted Visions (!):  Landscape Photography, Fine Art Photography, Black and White Photography, Nature Photography, Abstract Photography, Experimental Photography, and More! | 

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it with the express written permission of its owner, Lucian Badea.  Do not save or use it unless you first obtain his permission.

'South Beach Skyline ---Looking Up at Dusk' by Miz Shoes | Used by Permission

As will eventually become clear, I have a thing for white buildings against a particular indigo blue color of sky.  This is particularly beautiful, more like a painting than a photograph.  Every frond of each palm branch stands out sharply.  The sun striking the side of the building illuminates it; the rest is in bluish shadow.  The sky is that soft, even tint that gradually intensifies to an eerie crystalline color before fading to violet. 

A perfect moment:

 

Photograph by Miz Shoes | click here to see her other photos | website: Girly Shoes.  | Click here to go to Flickr for the larger version

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it with the permission of the owner.  Please do not save or use it without first getting her permission.