Tom Leighton is recognized for emphasizing the photosynthesis process in plants by replacing their typical greens with otherworldly fluorescent colors. Leighton often concentrates on the nightlife of specimens discovered near his home in Cornwall, photographing them in a way that revamps ordinary species into remarkable subjects.
Introduction to Spines by Tom Leighton
British photographer Tom Leighton introduces a new body of work titled Spines, which continues his close examination of the natural world through macro photography. Known for his detailed and highly controlled images, Leighton shifts his attention in this latest series to the minute structures found on plant surfaces—specifically the fine spines and fibers that line stems and flowers.
Focus on Botanical Structures
Captured at close range, each photograph visually expresses the textural complexity of these botanical forms. Many of the images are marked by the presence of water droplets, positioned and photographed perfectly across the surfaces as if following a sudden downpour. These droplets add visual interest but also refract light and subtly distort the details beneath them, offering a different perspective on otherwise familiar species.
In Spines, the presence of water droplets plays a role in shaping the visual and structural reading of each image. Functioning as natural convex lenses, they refract and magnify the underlying plant surfaces, producing miniature optical distortions that reveal hidden aspects of the morphology. This optical behavior offers a closer look at the microstructures—trichomes, ridges, and spines—that often go unnoticed. Their interaction with light varies depending on the droplet’s curvature and positioning, creating subtle variations in luminance and focus. In this context, moisture becomes a dynamic agent, enabling a layered visual experience that merges biological form with perceptual inquiry.
The Intersection of Color and Abstract Expression
Leighton’s choice of bold, fluorescent colors gives the work a strong, distinctive look. By stepping away from the plants' usual green tones, he directs the viewer's attention to the plants' structure and details, rather than focusing solely on the species. This shift in color doesn’t erase the identity of the plants, but it presents them in a more abstract and intensified way.
The series stands out for its precision and restraint. There are no backgrounds to distract from the subject, and the controlled lighting ensures that every hair-thin spine and droplet is sharply defined. The simplicity of the presentation underscores the complexity of the forms being examined.
Spines is both a continuation of the artist's interest in natural subjects and a refinement of his visual style. Unlike his broader architectural or landscape projects, this collection of digital art focuses on singular specimens, rendered with a clarity that borders on scientific. Yet, despite the technical execution, the work remains accessible, inviting the viewer to pause and reconsider details that might otherwise go unnoticed in daily life.
Prints from the Spines collection are available for purchase through Tom Leighton’s official website.
Photos by @tomleightonart.
