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Great Gregories -- Epping Forest

September 5th, 2022

Great Gregories -- Epping Forest

Great Gregories – Epping Forest by Scott Black 2019 ~ Dramatic stormy sky over an Epping Forest heath with beautiful snag. Epping Forest, formerly known as Waltham Forest, is located in East London, England.

Due to illness, I’ve been unable to take pictures for the last five years. I thought that instead of one of my old ones, I’d show you one of my husband’s, taken on an iPhone 6s. My plan is to get back out into the world as soon as possible and am using this remarkable image as motivation.

I posted this image on Flickr on Saturday and it went straight to Explore. Scott uses his iPhone to take maybe a few photos a year; I'm amazed and in awe.


www.ronablack.com

Cell Chemical Biology - French Lilac Flower

September 3rd, 2022

Cell Chemical Biology - French Lilac Flower

One of my photos is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Cell Chemical Biology. The article describes research into metformin, a drug derived from the French lilac (Galega officinalis), for the treatment of breast cancer. The research was done at the University of Minnesota, and was sponsored in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

This is especially meaningful to me because my grandmother was a cancer research scientist.


www.ronablack.com

Airborne at Southbank

September 4th, 2015

Airborne at Southbank

Southbank Skatepark, London, UK.



Airborne at Southbank

www.ronablack.com

Computer Memory

April 4th, 2015

Computer Memory

An abstract macro photograph of a Ferrite Memory Core plane from an early IBM mainframe computer. This grid is made up of fine wire threaded through tiny magnetic ferrite rings (cores). Magnetic core memory, a type of random-access memory (RAM), was introduced in 1955 and succeeded in the 1970s by solid-state memory in integrated circuits.

The Museum of Modern Art has three in its permanent collection, but none on display.









www.ronablack.com

Happy Spring

March 25th, 2015

Happy Spring

Washington Triumph tulips in Salt Lake City.

April, 2014.

Red and Yellow Triumph Tulips








www.ronablack.com

L.A. Conservancy Holiday Card

December 21st, 2014

L.A. Conservancy Holiday Card

The Los Angeles Conservancy's 2014 holiday card, both digital and print versions, features my artwork. Their art department did a beautiful job with the design.

Los Angeles Conservancy holiday card







Penn in the Rain

November 2nd, 2014

Penn in the Rain

University of Pennsylvania's College Hall behind wet foliage.

Philadelphia, October 2014

Fade to Grey

October 29th, 2014

Fade to Grey

Comcast Center, Philadelphia�s tallest building, practically disappears in dense fog.

October 2014

Northbound Underground

October 26th, 2014

Northbound Underground

Colorful light trails of a London Underground train leaving Stockwell Station.



Multitasking Deer in Richmond Park

July 27th, 2014

Multitasking Deer in Richmond Park

Fallow deer grazing at midday in Richmond Park, London UK.






Rona Black Photography

Gothic Hampstead

May 24th, 2014

Gothic Hampstead

A moody view of Well Walk in Hampstead, London.

May 2014






Rona Black Photography

Busy Ladybugs

May 20th, 2014

Busy Ladybugs

Two pair of ladybugs practicing the rites of spring on a Red Abundance rosebud in Queen Mary�s Gardens, Regent�s Park, London. If you look closely, you can see an aphid looking on.









Rona Black Photography

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014 Build-up

May 18th, 2014

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014 Build-up

In the 19 days leading up to the Chelsea Flower Show (May 20 � 24), designers are creating elaborate exhibition booths from scratch, both outside and inside the Great Pavilion.

Saturday many of the flowers were still wrapped while others, such as this rust iris, were already set out on display.






Rona Black Photography

Early Roses

May 15th, 2014

Early Roses

A preview of what�s to come in June.

Queen Mary�s Gardens, Regent�s Park, London
May 2014








EARLY ROSES

Rona Black Photography

The Shard and The Place

May 11th, 2014

The Shard and The Place

The Shard and its sister building The Place, designed by Renzo Piano, make up part of the London Bridge Quarter development on the South Bank of the Thames.








THE SHARD AND THE PLACE

Rona Black Photography

Snowbells in Spring

May 4th, 2014

Snowbells in Spring

Snowbells (Leucojum aestivum) or Summer Snowflakes because they bloom a few weeks after Spring Snowflakes (Leucojum vernum); also known as Loddon Lilies because they were first found near the River Loddon, Hampshire, UK.

Temple Square, Salt Lake City, April 2014





SNOWBELLS IN SPRING

Rona Black Photography

Radiant Purple Tulips in Salt Lake City

April 18th, 2014

Radiant Purple Tulips in Salt Lake City

The fluctuating weather seems to have had a harmful effect on some flowering plants here, shortening their life cycles. Near the spot of these stunning tulips in Temple Square garden, I discovered a flower bed with artificial tulips planted among the live pansies and daffodils. In the eight years I've lived here, that was a first.


Radiant Purple Tulips

Rona Black Photography

Rittenhouse Square Roses

July 28th, 2013

Rittenhouse Square Roses

A rose garden in Philadelphia�s Rittenhouse Square.




Rittenhouse Square Roses

Rona Black Photography

Bee Season in Salt Lake City

July 14th, 2013

Bee Season in Salt Lake City

An Orange-belted Bumblebee (bombus ternarius), on lavender.




Bumblebee on Lavender

Rona Black Photography

Wild Irises

June 22nd, 2013

Wild Irises

Blood Iris (Iris Sanguinea) in Salt Lake City






Wild Irises

Rona Black Photography

White Bleeding Hearts

June 12th, 2013

White Bleeding Hearts

With a short bloom season normally, White Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis �Alba�) didn�t have much of a chance this year. They appeared one day and were gone the next.





White Bleeding Hearts

Rona Black Photography

Portrait of a Dandelion

May 26th, 2013

Portrait of a Dandelion

Some of the hidden beauty of the natural world.




Portrait of a Dandelion

Rona Black Photography

Shades of Lilac

May 20th, 2013

Shades of Lilac

Wonderblue, a French hybrid cultivar, is also known as Little Boy Blue Lilac. Its scent was non-existent when I shot this, probably due to the fluctuating weather here in Salt Lake.




Shades of Lilac

Rona Black Photography

The Delicacy of Spring

May 8th, 2013

The Delicacy of Spring

Plum blossoms from a neighborhood tree.





Plum Blossoms

Rona Black Photography

Another Tulip

May 2nd, 2013

Another Tulip

It�s that time of year in Salt Lake, and I love tulips at this stage.





Young Purple Tulips

Rona Black Photography

Pink Promise

April 23rd, 2013

Pink Promise

A close-up photo of a sunlit young tulip revealing a glimpse of its bright pink future. Taken in Salt Lake City, Utah.






PINK PROMISE

Rona Black Photography

High Line Spur

April 5th, 2013

High Line Spur

A section of Manhattan�s High Line at 10th Avenue and 16th Street. Between 1934 and 1980 an elevated portion of the New York Central Railroad brought freight trains directly into the Merchants Refrigerating Company Warehouse in Chelsea. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.







HIGH LINE SPUR

Rona Black Photography

Tulip at Attention

March 23rd, 2013

Tulip at Attention

It�s finally spring!








Tulip at Attention

Rona Black Photography

The Flowering of the Christmas Cactus

March 19th, 2013

The Flowering of the Christmas Cactus

Here's a follow-up to last fall's post, a view of the elegant pistil and stamens of the blossoming cactus.







Christmas Cactus Pistil and Stamens

Rona Black Photography

Stairway to Heaven

March 6th, 2013

Stairway to Heaven

The glass roof of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects, PC.





STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Rona Black Photography

Rosebud

February 14th, 2013

Rosebud

Rosa �Mission Bells� at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California.









ROSEBUD

Rona Black Photography

Urban Hawk

February 6th, 2013

Urban Hawk

Yesterday we had a visit from this red-tailed hawk, who has been hanging around Rittenhouse Square. He (I think it�s a young male) may be related to the pair who nested for several years at Philadelphia�s Franklin Institute:
http://www.fi.edu/hawks/







URBAN RED-TAILED HAWK

Rona Black Photography


Only the Beginning

January 22nd, 2013

Only the Beginning

Thinking of spring during these exceptionally cold days. A budding agapanthus flower from the Huntington Botanical Gardens, San Marino CA, June 2012.







ONLY THE BEGINNING

Rona Black Photography

Gehry Magic

January 16th, 2013

Gehry Magic

Taken on the rooftop of the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.




GEHRY MAGIC

Rona Black Photography

Snow Constellation

January 5th, 2013

Snow Constellation

Further explorations in the micro worlds of snow.




SNOW CONSTELLATION

Rona Black Photography

Sky Box at the Getty

January 1st, 2013

Sky Box at the Getty

I took this photograph in the courtyard of the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California. I love Richard Meier's use of travertine against the California sky.





SKY BOX AT THE GETTY

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Pink Yellow Orchid

January 1st, 2013

Pink Yellow Orchid

Phalaenopsis, commonly known as Moth Orchid.




PINK YELLOW ORCHID

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Philadelphia Cityscape

December 27th, 2012

Philadelphia Cityscape

Downtown Philadelphia -- my hometown.






DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Slow Fade

December 27th, 2012

Slow Fade

A dried rose, past its prime� or perhaps not.






SLOW FADE

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY


Bleeding Heart

December 27th, 2012

Bleeding Heart

The bleeding heart flower is a perennial symbol of love.





BLEEDING HEART

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Dancing Japanese Maple

December 27th, 2012

Dancing Japanese Maple

Macro photograph of brilliant red Japanese maple leaves in Salt Lake City, Utah.



DANCING JAPANESE MAPLE

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Rose Emergent

December 26th, 2012

Rose Emergent

Rose Emergent was photographed in the parking lot of Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia. The lot is lined with hybrid tea rose bushes.






ROSE EMERGENT

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Fallen Star

December 26th, 2012

Fallen Star

This macro photo of a snowflake looks to me like a lunar landscape.

Salt Lake City, December 2012


Fallen Star

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Coming Together

December 26th, 2012

Coming Together

While anxiously awaiting spring, I've brought my macro fixation indoors.





COMING TOGETHER

Rona Black Photography

Sunrise over the Mountains

December 26th, 2012

Sunrise over the Mountains

Foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City





Sunrise over the Mountains

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Dancing Japanese Maple

December 26th, 2012

Dancing Japanese Maple

Macro photograph of brilliant red Japanese maple leaves in Salt Lake City, Utah.






DANCING JAPANESE MAPLE

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Ladybug

December 26th, 2012

Ladybug

One from the archives. A shot of color for a grey day.




LADYBUG

Rona Black Photography

Christmas Cactus

December 26th, 2012

Christmas Cactus

My grandmother had a knack for getting these to bloom all year around. Mine blooms once a year, but it always reminds me of her.




Christmas Cactus Double Joy

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Agapanthus Flower Art

December 26th, 2012

Agapanthus Flower Art

Grace is a macro photograph of an Agapanthus flower. This black and white image was taken in San Francisco, California.




GRACE

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY


Lunchtime at Chelsea Market

December 1st, 2012

Lunchtime at Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market in Manhattan

Lunchtime at Chelsea Market

Autumn in New England

December 1st, 2012

Autumn in New England

Colorful autumn leaves in Worcester, Massachusetts.

MULTICOLORED AUTUMN LEAVES

Rona Black Photography

A View of Downtown Philadelphia from Rittenhouse Square

December 1st, 2012

A View of Downtown Philadelphia from Rittenhouse Square

After a five-week visit to the east coast, we were scheduled to fly back to Salt Lake City yesterday but Hurricane Sandy is keeping us here for a few more days. I took this photograph, Five O'Clock Shadows, last week.

Five O'Clock Shadows





RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Downtown Glow

November 23rd, 2012

Downtown Glow

November 20, 2012
Salt Lake City, Utah



Downtown Glow

Rona Black Photography

Autumn Barnyard

November 20th, 2012

Autumn Barnyard

Barn cat at the Chamounix Equestrian Center in Philadelphia�s Fairmount Park.

Barn Cat



RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Under the Orange Maple Tree

October 27th, 2012

Under the Orange Maple Tree

Close-up photograph of the branches of a brilliant orange maple tree in Boston, Massachusetts.

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Dancing Japanese Maple

October 27th, 2012

Dancing Japanese Maple

Macro photograph of brilliant red Japanese maple leaves in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Rona Black Photography

Hello Old Friend

October 19th, 2012

Hello Old Friend

Piper, 2006 by Jim Sardonis

Every visit to my in-laws in Boston includes a stop to see their neighbor on Commonwealth Avenue. I took this shot in May, 2011; yesterday I saw that the fence has been repainted and is now grey.

The Lost Ball

RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

The Art of Advertising

October 14th, 2012

The Art of Advertising

Photo taken October 2, 2012.

While walking to the University of Pennsylvania I noticed this ad in a storefront on Walnut Street between 21st and 22nd. I�m fairly certain it would not pass code in Salt Lake (where I�m currently living).

The ad has since been removed.


RONA BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Tulips in Shades of Autumn

October 11th, 2012

Tulips in Shades of Autumn

Tulip Prinses Irene
Photographed in Salt Lake City, Utah

Tulip Prinses Irene

High Line Palimpsest

October 4th, 2012

High Line Palimpsest

New tree against remnants of graffiti by Revs, Cost and others on a brick facade at 23rd Street and the High Line in Manhattan.

High Line Palimpsest

Purple Pansies

October 2nd, 2012

Purple Pansies

Macro photograph of vivid purple and yellow pansies. Photographed in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Pansies

Lines and Light

September 28th, 2012

Lines and Light

Back in Philadelphia to visit my family and looking forward to hearing the Philadelphia Orchestra (where I used to work). Here is a shot of their beautiful hall, The Kimmel Center, designed by Rafael Vinoly, from my archives.

Lines and Light

Purple and White Marbled Tulip

September 23rd, 2012

Purple and White Marbled Tulip

Another out of season tulip, but this one has recently become one of my most best sellers. Photographed in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Purple and White Marbled Tulip

Jacaranda Sunset

September 19th, 2012

Jacaranda Sunset

While I was in Pasadena in May I loved seeing the flowering Blue Jacaranda all over the city. On a visit to the hills of Rancho Palos Verdes one day I was disappointed at first that the Jacaranda were not yet in bloom. Later in the evening, though, I thought the silhouette of this tree with its feathery leaves was quite beautiful.

Jacaranda Sunset

Counterpoint

September 17th, 2012

Counterpoint

Here's another look at Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Taken in the lobby of the third floor. I love the warmth of the woods and how they visually echo the sounds of the strings in the concert hall.

Counterpoint

Iris Emerging

September 14th, 2012

Iris Emerging

An African White Iris in the light of the setting sun.
Pasadena, California

Iris Emerging

Lily of the Nile

September 14th, 2012

Lily of the Nile

Here�s a different perspective on the Huntington Botanical Gardens. This Agapanthus flower is shot against a backdrop of the Rose Garden which gives it that colorful bokeh.

Lily of the Nile

The Road Ahead

September 14th, 2012

The Road Ahead

Abstract photograph taken in the atrium of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. The Kimmel Center is home to The Philadelphia Orchestra which is exiting bankruptcy today. As a fan and former employee, I wish them all the best as they move forward.

The Road Ahead

English Lavender

September 14th, 2012

English Lavender

English Lavender was photographed at The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California.

English Lavender

Poppy

September 14th, 2012

Poppy

A poppy in its final days. Photographed in Queen Mary�s Gardens, Regent�s Park, London, UK.

Poppy

Disney Hall Abstract 2

September 14th, 2012

Disney Hall Abstract 2

Here�s another photo I took of Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. I just love shooting this photogenic building. (Can a building be photogenic?)

Disney Hall Abstract 2 -- Undulating Steel

Tulip Deconstructed

September 14th, 2012

Tulip Deconstructed

My husband�s been bugging me for weeks now to post this. Though tulips are not in season here in Salt Lake City, Inner Workings is one of his favorite pictures.

Inner Workings

Golden Gate Tower

September 14th, 2012

Golden Gate Tower

San Francisco in two colors.

Golden Gate Tower

A New Leaf

September 14th, 2012

A New Leaf

What can you say about such elegant natural design?

Turning a New Leaf

Dragonfly Jewels

September 14th, 2012

Dragonfly Jewels

Here�s an experiment in refraction. I�m not completely happy with the image, but this is an aspect of photography I would like to continue to explore.

Dragonfly Jewels

Rose Blush

September 14th, 2012

Rose Blush

A beauty from The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. The Huntington Rose Garden is my second favorite rose garden in the world after Queen Mary�s Gardens in London. The variety and quality of roses at The Huntington is stunning. More Huntington roses to come.

Rose Blush

New York City Wrought Iron

September 14th, 2012

New York City Wrought Iron

Chelsea, Manhattan

New York City Wrought Iron

Alstroemeria

September 14th, 2012

Alstroemeria

Bright pink and white Alstroemeria flowers glowing in morning sunlight at The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California.

Alstroemeria

Palm Crosshatch

September 14th, 2012

Palm Crosshatch

Photographed at The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California.

Palm Crosshatch

Bay Bridge

September 14th, 2012

Bay Bridge

What my husband likes about this is the way the bow of the bridge echoes the seagull.

San Francisco � Oakland Bay Bridge.

Bay Bridge

Disney Hall Abstract

September 14th, 2012

Disney Hall Abstract

Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry
Los Angeles, California

Disney Hall Abstract

Reflections at the Library

September 14th, 2012

Reflections at the Library

In general, Salt Lake City is not that architecturally interesting. But our public library is one terrific exception. Designed by Moshe Safdie.

Reflections at the Library

Pollination

September 14th, 2012

Pollination

Another bee at work. Photographed in downtown Salt Lake City.

Pollination

Autumn Roses in Summer

September 14th, 2012

Autumn Roses in Summer

Pernetiana Rose Autumn hybridized by L. B. Coddington, 1928. Photographed at The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California.

Autumn Roses in Summer

The Pollinator

September 14th, 2012

The Pollinator

Photographed in the Central Garden at the Getty Center, Los Angeles, California.

The Pollinator

Orchid Show

September 14th, 2012

Orchid Show


This Masdevallia Machu Micchu orchid took first prize in its category at the Utah Orchid Society's spring show held last week at Red Butte Garden. Though it was snowing outside, the flower-filled Orangerie gave off a whiff of spring.

Rona Black Photography



Abstraction

September 14th, 2012

Abstraction

Reflection, 2009

This represents somewhat of a departure from my typical abstract photography. Until now I've pretty much kept with a nature theme, sticking to macro abstracts of flowers and plants. This is a photo of one of the reflecting pools at the Salt Lake City Library.

Rona Black Photography

Refraction

September 14th, 2012

Refraction

Flowers with water drops are often very appealing and fun to photograph. In the right light, water can add sparkle or a glint that brightens an otherwise dull bloom. Occasionally you can catch more than light in a raindrop; the many colors of a bed of roses and its surroundings, including the blue of the sky, show up in this refraction.

Roses after the Rain, 2009

Rona Black Photography

Color and Light

September 14th, 2012

Color and Light

Rainy Day Leaves, 2009


It just so happens that this year's fall season in Salt Lake is turning out to be one of the most colorful in recent memory. The other day, a woman who has lived here for many decades told me she'd never seen so much orange in the changing leaves. I took this macro photograph while it was raining and the color is probably more vivid that it would have been had the sun been shining.

Rona Black Photography

The Mystery of Macros

September 14th, 2012

The Mystery of Macros

Red Tulip Abstract, 2009

Much of the photography I do is extremely close up or macro. While shooting, some details are visible, but quite often the intricacies of line and color are not apparent. In this macro photograph of the interior of a red tulip, I was unable to see the purple tones or the dew on the yellow flower bud until the image was developed. As happens quite often with macro photograpy, the final result was a bit of a surprise.

Rona Black Photography

Minimal Color

September 14th, 2012

Minimal Color

After Rodchenko, 2009

A photograph with minimal color can be as striking as one in full color. Here the light coming through the windows at the Tate Modern museum in London provides depth and dimension. The subtle light blue tones of the sky break up the bright white rectangles of light.

Rona Black Photography

Obstacles

September 14th, 2012

Obstacles

Delphinium, 2009

Queen Mary's Gardens in Regent's Park has a large section devoted to delphinium plants. They range in color from white to deep purple, with pink, salmon and blue in between. Many grow over five feet tall. The challenge in photographing them was the thick wooden stakes holding up every plant, sometimes two to a plant. My goal was to come up with a photo without a stake (or several) showing, but every shot I took came out with the light-colored wood stakes prominently displayed. I do not use editing software such as Photoshop, because I want the photos to look as close as possible to what I saw when I was taking them. So it came down to finding a portion of a shot that had enough of the details of the young plant and the perspective of the mature plant in the background to give an idea of how unique and beautiful these plants are.

Rona Black Photography





Flowers in London

September 14th, 2012

Flowers in London

Rain-soaked Peonies, 2009

Roses weren't the only flowers I spent time photographing in London. I found these peonies in the Middle Temple Garden at the Inns of Court. As in every garden in London in May and June, there were also roses in abundance, but I usually went to Queen Mary's Gardens in Regent's Park for those.

These were unusual both for their size and color; they were quite large and the color gradation included pink and yellow in the same bloom.

Rona Black Photography