Flower photographer John Holmes on creating a series of stunning abstracts

Abstract flowers
John’s utility room became a temporary studio when he photographed this chrysanthemum. (Image credit: John Holmes)
  • Mission: Experiment and learn new techniques during lockdown
  • Photographer: John Holmes
  • Location: Limerick, Ireland
  • Kit used: Nikon D750 and Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD


From my mid-teens onwards I always had a camera. I started off with an Instamatic, before moving on to a Nikon F-301 and then a Nikon D80. When I retired in 2010, I decided to focus on photography more and bought a Nikon D300S, a wide-angle lens and some ND filters. Thinking I had this photography thing sorted, I went to a coastal photography workshop and suddenly found out what I didn’t know and what I actually needed to know.

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