by Editor Michel Romaggiin collaboration with the author Miharu
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 23rd of August 2023

'snail dream'

Dear Miharu, your children portraits are wonderful but when going through your portfolio, I was attracted and triggered by your beautiful florals with exquisite soft tones. How comes that you are so drawn by flowers and why did you chose to use them in creatively edited images?

Ever since I started photographing children, I also had a huge interest for the flowers in my garden. They shimmer beautifully in the morning light and shine a little sadly in the setting sun. I had a heart for such flowers. The ones  I chose for my work are the ones that are the brightest during the blooming season. It feels like if the flowers are saying: 'Don't forget me'. That's why I don't chose special flowers, and why I'm listening to the flowers in the yard, the flowers in the flower shop, the flowers on the street corner. Those are the ones I want to take pictures of.

I was struck by the feelings your florals inspire and started reading the comments of the members: 'soothing , relaxing , dreamy, magic, smooth, brightening the day, beautiful to our eyes and our hearts'. Is that the effect you want?

It really encourages me to see people happy when they see my flower photos. I am also deeply grateful. When I make these pieces, my head and heart are filled with them for a while. For a long time, I rearranged and replaced them. When thinking about the pretty flowers I saw in my childhood and the flowers that have encouraged me in my life, I explored more paths. When flowers fill my mind, I arrange them them on the pure white table in the dining room and take pictures  from above. Then have a little conversation with the flowers just as I do with the children I portraiture. It is a heart-to-heart conversation even when making floral art. I cherish those conversations with flowers. I hope that this feeling is reflected in my work.

Can you tell us how you made 'the snail dream'?
What is the story behind this picture and what techniques did you use?

I'm using a Nikon 850 camera.
A Nikkor Macro AF105m.
I only use natural light coming through the windows.
Most used settings are F4, S200, ISO640.
Post-processing is done with Photoshop CC only.

'Snail's Dream' is based on our family's pet snail. I wanted to see hydrangeas, so I went to a park near my house, but they weren't in bloom yet. And then I met the snails. Every day, we feed them lettuce and cucumbers and talk to them. But my husband jokes: 'Are you going to have escargot for dinner tonight?' Help! No way!. This cute snail is small, so I took a picture with my macro lens. I always display my photographs printed on Japanese washi paper. So far, it has been introduced at the Orenburg Museum in Russia. It will also be announced in Tokyo in September. I am particular about photographs using Japanese paper, so this 'snail dream' (as well as other flower art pieces) is made by placing Japanese paper on a pure white glossy dining table and placing flowers on top of it. I put a snail and took a picture directly from directly above. The Japanese paper is pre-blurred with food colouring and watercolours. In order to express the subtle colours and textures unique to Japan, I use slightly special paint (available at an art supply store in Tokyo). The colour of Japanese paper bleeds softly and expresses subtle beauty. However, I am still new to the technique and would like to learn more.

'dream of spring'

'sweet dreams'

'dream of spring'

'Lovely dreams'