past peak expression

I just got back from teaching two workshops up in Bayfield, Wisconsin at a gorgeous wellness retreat called Wild Rice Retreat. One of my mini-lessons is called “Seeing Past Peak Expression” where I try to convince my participants to look for subject that are before or after their peak expression. Most people want to photograph/draw/paint the rose/lily/dahlia in its full blooming glory. I get it. It’s hard not to. So, I tell them “do it”, but then go back outside and look for the not-so-perfect specimen. Try to find the most expressive one and photograph/draw/paint that. And then decide for yourself which you prefer.

spent yellow rose