Beneath the lens of Tom Leighton (previously featured), ordinary flora transforms into radiant wonders that seem lifted from another realm. In his latest series Spines, Leighton continues his luminous exploration of the natural world by turning his focus to the delicate threads that enshroud plant stems and flowers. These macro photographs go beyond mere documentation — they distill the texture of plant life into something crystalline and almost mythic. Each water droplet, suspended on a fibrous surface, reflects a warped yet enchanting image of the microcosm it rests upon.
Leighton’s distinctive approach swaps the expected greens of photosynthesis with pulsing, fluorescent hues, effectively altering our perception of the plant kingdom. Shot primarily in the nocturnal calm of Cornwall, where he resides, his imagery brims with nocturnal energy and quiet drama. The thick dew captured in each frame doesn’t just refract light; it transforms these spiny subjects into glowing sculptures — alive, yet frozen in time. This combination of biological accuracy and dreamlike surrealism gives his work an edge that feels both intimate and expansive.
What makes Spines particularly compelling is its seamless blend of science and sensuality. The magnified hairs and droplets create a kind of botanical theater, where every filament and bead of moisture plays its part in a slow, silent performance. Through Leighton’s lens, the simple act of water settling on a stem becomes a spectacle of light, texture, and color. These images aren’t just about what plants look like under magnification — they’re about what we overlook in the rush of everyday sight.
More info: Website, Behance, Instagram.
