Fragile, rugged beauty – flecks of light in the warm glow by Marjolijn van den Berg

This photo: "Kwetsbare stoere schoonheid - pluisjes in het warme licht" is a macro shot of the fluff left on the clematis after the flower has finished blooming. In the wild, you’d walk right past it, but up close it’s a tiny, beautiful little masterpiece. This fluffy head consists of many hair-like fibres, which have the shape and structure of a feather. If you zoom in, you can see this clearly. You can almost feel the softness of the hairs. What makes this photo special is the interplay of light and colour. The deep red, almost uniform background really stands out and forms a warm contrast with the warm cream-coloured tufts. The light falls on it beautifully, giving the finest hairs a subtle sheen. They glow like shimmering threads, lending the photo a sense of depth (which is partly created by the chosen depth of field). This lends the image a poetic quality: the subject (the fluff) exudes fragility, yet the colours in the photograph also convey great strength and a rugged feel. Hence the title. This botanical piece is a real eye-catcher for the wall. It fits beautifully into a modern interior that could do with a warm splash of colour, but looks just as lovely in a cosy living room. The organic shapes bring a sense of calm, whilst the deep red instantly adds atmosphere to your home. This nature portrait brings a warm, natural atmosphere into your home!