Tag Archives: Gazanias

Photos behind the SA flag collage

I recently posted a collage of photos making up the South African flag to celebrate Freedom Day and someone has asked me about the images I used – so here they are for those who are interested. I tried to use flowers that reminded me of SA so there are white hydrangeas, yellow gazanias and a  red protea. The only blue flower image I had that is common in SA was the Chrysanthemum. Apple trees grew in the yard at my childhood home so I used them for the green. The black and white image of the hand in the black section is my son’s taken while we played with a torch during Earth hour while the rest of the house was in darkness. This process got me into the experiment with gradients as I needed to colour match the photos and the flag.

Photo 1: Red Protea

Protea red  V low res

Photo 2: White HydrangeasHydrangea white V low res

Photo 3: Blue ChrysanthemumChrysanthemum blue halo

Photo 4: Green applesApples Green V low res

Photo 5: Yellow GazaniasGazanias yellow  V low res

Photo 6: Shadow hand in black and whiteshadow hand light

Photo 7: The final SA Flag collage image

SA Flag collage low res

Sun-loving Gazanias

Striking Gazanias are also native to Southern Africa and are sometimes called African Daisies. My preference is for the striped versions as those are the flowers I recall from my childhood but this little patch of white and yellow was still delightful. They only open in full sun and that is when they thrive.

Photo 1: Sun-loving Gazanias

Gazanias 2 low res

Photo 2: Patch of Gazanias

Gazanias low res

Photo 3: Single Yellow Gazania

Gazanias 5 low res

Photo 4: Single White Gazania

Gazanias 4 low res

Photo 5: Gazania Trio

Gazanias 6 low res

Photo 6: Gazanias blooming

Gazanias 3 low res

Photo 7: Gazania cluster

Gazanias 7 low res