Ice Flowers – Cherry Blossoms in the Snow

Over the sunny Easter holidays, as I do every year, I admired the delicate cherry blossoms. Their buds had opened thanks to the first mild days of spring. But just a few days later, winter made a comeback with a cold front. Snow and ice transformed the pink blossoms of the Japanese flowering cherry into real ice flowers.

This wintry interlude lasted a few days, giving me the pleasure of experiencing cherry blossom season with a completely new impression. Drifting flakes in the air created a dynamic visual component. The blanket of snow on the blossoms and the ground, on one hand, provided uniform, bright, and even surfaces that conveyed a sense of calm. On the other hand, the snow accentuated the diagonal lines of the branches and trunks, adding dynamism. This opened up many creative options for photography. The atmosphere presented a beautiful image of the transition from the grey of winter to the colourful spring.