From abstraction to detail – Botanical structure and interplay of lines

by Marjolijn van den Berg

This photograph: "Van abstractie tot detail - Botanische structuur en lijnenspel" is a macro shot of a small section of a large fluffy head of a Tragopogon, also known as ‘Morgenster’ in the Netherlands. By adopting a completely different camera angle, it almost looks like a large tree that you are standing beneath.

Colour:
The warm light gives the fluff inside a warm golden-brown colour. The background has a gradient from petrol to turquoise, but this is only visible through the fluff’s texture, as the entire image is covered with these little fluff balls.

Technique and choices: As you can see in this photo, I’ve opted for a relatively shallow depth of field, with the focus on the foregrounds of fluff at the top. From here, the sharpness gradually diminishes the further back you look. This photograph beautifully illustrates the effect this creates: at the top, the fluff is razor-sharp, and the further back you look, the more blurred the fluff becomes, until it turns into a faint interplay of lines at the bottom of the photograph. This creates a lovely sense of depth in the photograph whilst also evoking a dreamy, tranquil atmosphere!

Home trends and interior design: This botanical photograph makes a stunning wall decoration in a variety of interior styles. Think, for example, of a Japandi, minimalist, rustic or natural interior. Thanks to its simplicity, the petrol and turquoise colours (alongside the brown tones) and the botanical subject matter, this photograph also fits beautifully with interior trends such as ‘warm organic" en "botanical brilliance". With this photograph, you’ll be bringing a timeless eye-catcher into your home in the form of a stunning botanical scene!
©Marjolijn van den Berg Fun fact about this photograph: It was exhibited at “Maison et Objet 2026” in Paris!