Marilyn Botta Photography

Self-Portraits Dec 2020

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I decided to get some full body self-portraits of me sitting on a seat in my studio. I put the light source to the side and added a grid to achieve the low key effect. It took a while but I finally got the angles I wanted. Some are the same image, but one is in color, and one is black and white. Can’t decided which I like better. I lean toward the color. It took a long time to pose myself but I did it. I also added an old self-portrait of me with a painted face. That was not taken on the same day.

I was pleased with the results and people on Facebook seemed to like it too.

Sunflowers

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I discovered some gorgeous sunflowers at Kroger recently. I thought they’d make some beautiful photos in the studio. I staged them on a white and then black background. On the white, I added in Photoshop, a texture. On the black background – no texture. I like how they came out. I tried several textures. I even took a self-portrait smelling the sunflower.

Gavin and Emily

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My friend asked that I do a photo shoot of her boyfriend’s children, Gavin and Emily. Gavin is 16 and Emily is 13. We went out to Brick Pond Park, a lovely place in N. Augusta, S.C. It is really only about 20 minutes away. They were shy at first so we started out slowly. But as I continued taking their pictures, and talking to them, they really blossomed and became comfortable. This enabled me to get some great shots. These were Christmas presents to their family and they loved them. The kids were a real delight and it was a good experience.

Red Roses and Oranges

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I purchases a new macro lens and decided to take some macro shots of oranges and red roses. It is so beautiful to see a rose with water droplets close up. Red roses are the most beautiful flower in my estimation.

Acorn Squash

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Just a different look at a simple item. I decided to take some still life pictures of acorn squash. You never know how lovely just an ordinary object can be until you place it in the right position and the right light. So, ordinary acorn squash becomes extraordinary.

 

Green Grapes Still Life and Macro

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I created a still life of green grapes, vases, wine glass, and apple. I then used a macro lens to get up close on the grapes.  It creates a totally different perspective.

Macro Tree Buds

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I bought a new Macro lens and decided to try it out on some Crepe Myrtle tree buds. Some I used a tripod and some I just did it by hand. I think things look ordinary until you put a close up lens on it. The beauty of objects, you don’t normally notice, come into view.

Apples in Studio

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Apples in studio. Green and red apples on basket tumbling down. I added a green texture to the green apples.

Still Life Photography

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Due to the pandemic, it has been increasingly hard to find human beings to photograph. I do love portrait photography, especially in the studio. I can also take outdoor photos of people as well. I love landscapes and you don’t need people for that. But, lately I have discovered that I love to create my own scenes–my own private reality. I get a picture in my mind and I can create it in the studio with some props. I found numerous props (vases, cups, glass bowl, silver vase, bottle, a wine glass, etc.) for almost nothing at all at Good Will. It is hit or miss and the other day I hit the mother load and found lots of items I was prepared to get at a regular store. Here are some of my most recent visions as seen in my head.

Fruit Still Life Photos

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People photography are my most favorite subjects. However, with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic I am having a hard time finding humans. So, my next favorite subject is food–specifically fruit still life photography. These were taken in my upstairs studio. I enjoyed posing my subjects which offered me no resistance and were very accommodating. I didn’t even have to ask twice and they took direction very well.