August, 2007, Brookine, MA, USA

I began to take pictures of flowers about two years ago. Soon, I began to crop portions of the photos and was entranced by the effects of cropping and the creation of abstract images. I discovered a new part of myself, my brain, my emotions. It has really been the most exciting happening in my life in many years. I had always relied on being a parent and teacher to fulfill my creative longings and urges. I was completely immersed in the wonders of having children, a grandchild and, in these past twenty years, being an educational therapist. So, this new love came as a great surprise!

I began taking photographs with a Canon A510 camera and the day I discovered the possibilities of macro photography was of great importance. It paved the way for the direction in which my interests developed. A year later I went on to a Canon A640 which had higher resolution and allowed me to crop more successfully. I had discovered the joys of printing my own photos so I needed a new camera. And just now, almost two years since I began this journey, I have purchased an Olympus E-510 DSLR and am beginning to learn how to use my new macro lens. I hope I'm successful.

I look forward to hearing from other photographers and lovers of flowers.

Those who would like to know me better can go to my BLOG, which is listed in the LINKS section and is at http://riva-luminessence.blogspot.com/. I try to put at least one new photo on the blog each day and sometimes I do add some comments. The photos are usually not on this site.

December, 28, 2007

An article on macro photography has appeared in the Dec.27,2007 issue of the New York Times in the Circuits/Technology section. I am featured in the article, as are a number of these photos. I am thrilled that I was chosen to be the subject of the article. The most exciting part has been hearing from so many of you that you like my work. Nothing surpasses hearing your kind thoughts and words. Thank you!

I have the URL for the article on the LINKS page if you wish to read it.

April 24, 2008

I have finished preparing a selection of my work for an exhibit at the Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester St., Brookline, MA 02446. The show begins on May 5 and will run until June 30. There will be an artist's reception on May 9, 2008 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM. All are welcome.

September 1, 2009

Last year I entered a juried show for the Minot Rose Garden here in Brookline, MA. The chosen entries would be in a show at the Brookline Arts Center in February and I could enter five works of art. I did enter five photos and all were chosen for the show. On the opening day, I found out that I had won a Juror's Award for my photo of Six Roses (Before the Rain). It can be seen in the album for the Minot Show. Four of the roses were old and two were young and pink. I went back the next day to take more photos of the group but a heavy rain during the night had washed away the older blossoms and left two pink ones on the stem.

Now, in September, I am having a show of some favorite photos of the past year. It will be at Goddard House in Brookline, MA through October.