Sabine Nehls, QPSA, EFIAP
July 2025 - Frozen
Original
About the Image(s)
In July I would like to show you an image of my first attempts at ice photography. As it was very hot for our area in the last few days, I stayed indoors and looked for a photo subject. Inspired by an article in a photo magazine, I bought various summer plants with lots of blossoms.
I put the blossoms in a plastic bowl and added water.
After a few hours, the whole thing was frozen into a block of ice and I could photograph it on our light table.
I really like this art and would like to continue working on it.
Maybe you can give me some tips. I'm interested in how I can create clear water, how I can illuminate ice, which settings make sense?
Of course I'm also interested in your opinion. Do you like what you see?
Is it recognizable that there are flowers in the ice? Can blossoms and plant parts be better placed?
I look forward to your comments and tips.
Canon EOS M50
28mm Macro, f/14 Aperture priority, 1/16sec., ISO 640, exposure +1
14 comments posted
Sabine, as usual your photo is inspiring me to try something new! I do like what I see. I would not have guess that these were flowers in ice. I have no answers for you, but I do want to try it. how did you keep your flowers from floating? Posted: 07/09/2025 19:39:20
Sylvia, I'm glad I could inspire you.
The blossoms are Double Busy Lizzies (Impatiens walleriana) and a type of sage.
I liked the colors so much.
To prevent the flowers from floating away, I first covered the bottom of the plastic bowl with a little water and froze it. Then I placed the blossoms on the layer of ice and covered them with water again and froze them.
I placed the block of ice in a glass baking dish to photograph it. This prevents the block of ice from floating off the light table.
Good luck with the photos.
Posted: 07/10/2025 14:43:55
The blossoms are Double Busy Lizzies (Impatiens walleriana) and a type of sage.
I liked the colors so much.
To prevent the flowers from floating away, I first covered the bottom of the plastic bowl with a little water and froze it. Then I placed the blossoms on the layer of ice and covered them with water again and froze them.
I placed the block of ice in a glass baking dish to photograph it. This prevents the block of ice from floating off the light table.
Good luck with the photos.
Posted: 07/10/2025 14:43:55
Sabine, at first, I thought this was a multiple exposure, or composite, and was surprised to learn what was involved in creating this image. This is a beautiful arrangement of color and shape forming a beautiful abstract. The green leaves and stems along with the brown stems lead me directly to all the differently shaped purple blossoms, which are easily discernable as flower blossoms to me. The abstract qualities in this image are captivating. I like the flipped image from the original as well, much more appealing. I think everything you did was perfect and there is nothing I can recommend to improve this image or your process. But I am curious to know how you managed the ice from melting on your light table. Beautiful image, very nicely done. Posted: 07/09/2025 23:42:53
Jim, Thank you for your kind words.
It's a pleasure for me when others like my image.
This was my first attempt and I am in the process of freezing delicate, dainty flowers.
To your question: I placed the block of ice in a glass baking dish to photograph it. This prevents the block of ice from floating off the light table.
Posted: 07/10/2025 14:44:40
It's a pleasure for me when others like my image.
This was my first attempt and I am in the process of freezing delicate, dainty flowers.
To your question: I placed the block of ice in a glass baking dish to photograph it. This prevents the block of ice from floating off the light table.
Posted: 07/10/2025 14:44:40
My first impression of this image, even before reading the description, was one of joy and wonder. The flowers look beautifully preserved, almost like they're frozen in time, glowing with such vibrant violet and lavender hues. I was especially amazed to learn that this was created using ice - what an inventive and poetic approach!
The softness of the wildflowers gives the image a gentle romantic touch, and the contrast with the bright green leaves adds such lovely balance and life to the composition. It's like a glimpse into a summer dream, suspended in stillness.
Sabine, I truly admire your creativity here. I didn't know about this technique before, and seeing your image has inspired me to learn more about it. You've captured something really special - both delicate and bold at once. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work in this style!
Posted: 07/10/2025 11:24:54
The softness of the wildflowers gives the image a gentle romantic touch, and the contrast with the bright green leaves adds such lovely balance and life to the composition. It's like a glimpse into a summer dream, suspended in stillness.
Sabine, I truly admire your creativity here. I didn't know about this technique before, and seeing your image has inspired me to learn more about it. You've captured something really special - both delicate and bold at once. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work in this style!
Posted: 07/10/2025 11:24:54
Linda, There is something poetic about your descriptions that I could not express in this way. A complement to the image, an interplay of words and the motif/photography depicted. Thank you for that.
This was my first attempt and it continues. I still have many ideas, more images will follow.
Posted: 07/10/2025 14:46:27
This was my first attempt and it continues. I still have many ideas, more images will follow.
Posted: 07/10/2025 14:46:27
Thank you so much, Sabine - your kind words mean a lot to me! I've always loved poetry and the moods and emotions it evokes. Your image naturally inspired that kind of feeling in me - soft, dreamy, and full of quiet beauty. I'm so glad to hear this is just the beginning of your exploration. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of your creative ideas come to life. You've opened a beautiful door with this work! Posted: 07/10/2025 22:58:54
I am amazed that this was frozen in ice! I thought it a collage of some sort, which I suppose it is, but not in ice!
The lower portion of the photo with the green leaves and stems is especially appealing. The central portion appears a bit muddled - could be the problem of not getting clear ice.
Super fun idea - and something I'll try on a slow day! Posted: 07/12/2025 20:10:13
The lower portion of the photo with the green leaves and stems is especially appealing. The central portion appears a bit muddled - could be the problem of not getting clear ice.
Super fun idea - and something I'll try on a slow day! Posted: 07/12/2025 20:10:13
Thank you for your kind words, Douglas.
You're right, some of the blossoms do look a little muddled. That's because I layered them and the ice varies in thickness
Have fun trying it out. Posted: 07/16/2025 19:14:39
You're right, some of the blossoms do look a little muddled. That's because I layered them and the ice varies in thickness
Have fun trying it out. Posted: 07/16/2025 19:14:39
Sabine, I like what you have done with this photo. I think making the flowers a bit lighter was a good choice as they have a more even color, than the darker colors of the original. I think this balances the image a little better.
I don't know anything about this technique to help you though this image reminds me of an exhibition I saw in a local photo gallery a few years ago. The photographer is primarily a professional landscape photographer, but as I recall her saying, during Covid she was unable to get into the field as much as she wanted, so to keep photographing she started experimenting with freezing flowers in ice and taking photos of them. It was an interesting exhibition and a creative idea. I can share a link to her website, if you are interested. She has quite a number of these types of photos in her portfolio. Posted: 07/14/2025 18:24:51
I don't know anything about this technique to help you though this image reminds me of an exhibition I saw in a local photo gallery a few years ago. The photographer is primarily a professional landscape photographer, but as I recall her saying, during Covid she was unable to get into the field as much as she wanted, so to keep photographing she started experimenting with freezing flowers in ice and taking photos of them. It was an interesting exhibition and a creative idea. I can share a link to her website, if you are interested. She has quite a number of these types of photos in her portfolio. Posted: 07/14/2025 18:24:51
Randy, thank you for your comments. I'm really interested in the photographer and her flower ice photos. It would be great if you could send me the link. Thanks. Posted: 07/17/2025 12:19:38
Sabine, here is the link to Franka Gabler's website: https://frankagabler.com/. Go to her portfolio link and it is the Ice-elation folder. Hope this helps with your journey into this type of photography.
I would suggest you look at her other folders, as well. I have admired her photography for years. She is really very good. Posted: 07/19/2025 16:15:28
I would suggest you look at her other folders, as well. I have admired her photography for years. She is really very good. Posted: 07/19/2025 16:15:28
Sabine, I love your image. At first glance I thought these were dried flowers that you edited. The placement of the flowers are perfect. The swirly lines and light violet color give it a light airy feeling with movement. The ice enables the flowers to take on fanciful shapes allowing your mind to wander.
Linda's poetic description says it best. I also agree with Doug about the middle of the image which is kinda of pinkish. Your creativity is inspiring! Posted: 07/14/2025 19:05:40
Linda's poetic description says it best. I also agree with Doug about the middle of the image which is kinda of pinkish. Your creativity is inspiring! Posted: 07/14/2025 19:05:40
Yvonne, you also see something different in this image at first.
I find the different ideas for this image really exciting.
From multiple exposures to a collage to a dried flower arrangement. I will be freezing more flowers and the results will definitely be on our website.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Posted: 07/17/2025 12:30:21
I find the different ideas for this image really exciting.
From multiple exposures to a collage to a dried flower arrangement. I will be freezing more flowers and the results will definitely be on our website.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Posted: 07/17/2025 12:30:21