Mysteriously elegant – Pink Gerbera with misty, flowing smoke by Marjolijn van den Berg

In this photo: "Geheimzinnig elegant -Roze Gerbera met mistige en stromende rook" you can see a pink Gerbera photographed in a very special way. It is not your run-of-the-mill flower picture, but an atmospheric shot taken from the side. The flower is surrounded by a dreamy mist of smoke, which immediately lends the photo a calm and slightly mysterious atmosphere. The petals are a soft pink colour and catch just enough light to reveal fine lines and their natural texture. This is particularly evident on the right-hand side of the flower, where most of the light (and focus) falls. When taking this photograph, I opted for a relatively shallow depth of field, meaning only a small area is in focus, whilst everything in front of and behind this area gradually fades into the background. This lends a tranquil atmosphere to the image whilst simultaneously creating a sense of depth. In this right-hand section, you can see a stream of smoke flowing away from the flower.
The background also lends the photograph a sense of tranquillity. It has been rendered soft and blurred by a mist of smoke. These wisps of smoke move subtly around (and behind) the Gerbera, creating a lovely sense of movement. It is a fascinating interplay between the sharp details of a small part of the flower and the soft, abstract background. The overall image exudes a sense of relaxation. Thanks to the warm tones and minimalist feel, it’s a photograph you can keep looking at and in which you’re constantly discovering something new. It truly brings a sense of calm and a magical atmosphere to the room, as if a fleeting and magical moment has been captured forever.