This is a more abstract image than the previous example also featuring a stand of saguaro cactus. I often abstract my subjects through backlighting, a technique that plays a frequent role in my photographic style. Backlighting underexposes the image, creating silhouettes that emphasize shape, instead of form and detail. The shapes are important in this image – the saguaros are blooming at the ends of their arms, and the small, finely detailed blossom clusters are easier to see in silhouette. In this shot, I move my vantage point, placing the sun behind one of the saguaros to underexpose the image and also create a focal point. The larger saguaros are pointing their long fingers towards a mystical translucent cloud floating overhead. My deliberate underexposure turns night into the day, creating a dream like interpretation. This abstracted scene becomes more surreal than real.