Marilyn Botta Photography

Baby Elephant

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I was out looking for some inspiration for a still life when I came upon an adorable Lenox elephant. It was hard to believe that someone gave this away to Goodwill. But their loss was my find. I bought it because I thought it was just so cute and beautiful, not really knowing what in the world I was going to create. I had some old stones that I collected a while back sitting in a plastic bag. I thought that at some point I would think of something to do with them. I had a brainstorm and this is what I came up with. I used a texture to bring out the beauty and soft lighting of this lovely cozy scene.

 

 

Hubcap and Orange Lilies

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I was out doing my walking last week when I came upon a hubcap, in good condition. I decided it might make an interesting picture. I tried to use travel as a loose theme, so I added an old New Jersey license plate, yellow sunglasses, and a wrench. In keeping with the colors of the flowers, I included a green apple. I added a candle and metallic candle holder to complete the image. I felt that a black backdrop would enhance the scene.

Sunlit Bridge at Phinizy Swamp

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I visited Phinizy Swamp in Augusta, GA, last week. It is a beautiful nature preserve and wetlands. Although it is very lush in the Summer, I still managed to find some gorgeous scenery. It is so peaceful and tranquil along the footbridge, where Spanish moss and lush green trees grow on either side of the bridge. The blue sky was a lovely contrast to the green foliage. The sunlight casts a pattern of shadows on the pathway, enhancing the natural serenity of the scene.

 

Phinizy Swamp in Summer

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The other day I went out to Phinizy Swamp, a beautiful nature preserve in Augusta, GA. I hadn’t been there in years but it didn’t disappoint, although it was very overgrown, as it is in the Summer. Once the cooler weather hits, it is much more beautiful and nuanced regarding the different colors. Things that were covered up in the Summer stand out because they are not impeded by the overgrowth. I still managed to get a few good shots showing just how lovely and peaceful it is there. If you’re a nature photographer this is the absolute best.

Bridge at Brick Pond Park

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I always love how peaceful Brick Pond Park is. Last week I went there and just marveled at how serene and almost otherworldly it can be at times. There can be many views of this lovely covered bridge sitting in the middle of the lake, but I walked around and found a spot between the trees, where I could photograph it. The mirror-like reflections make the lake look like glass. This scene evokes serenity to me, which is hard to find in this strange world we live in.

Green Hat, Yellow Lilies, and Chess

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I love putting together lots of different props to create a cohesive composition. I gathered a brown candle, green hat, vases, a chess piece and yellow lilies. Who would think that these unrelated items could come together to form a masterpiece. My composition was arranged on a muslim cloth featuring yellow lilies in a terracotta vase. I positioned a green fedora hat, between two vases containing the flowers. An ornate candlestick holder holds the brown lit candle. The objects are arranged on a textured surface against a muted backdrop, creating a serene and balanced scene. The two images are different in that they both have different background colors.

Chess, Hat, and Flowers

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While shopping for interesting items to use for s still life, I came upon a pretty green candle and a black chess piece–a king. I decided to create a magical fantasy. I placed a green spherical ceramic vase, a black chess piece, a green hat, and green patterned cloth on a tan drop cloth which I used as a table cloth. I added some white daisies to the vase. I then incorporated a green glass vase with pink blooming lilies, and a green lit candle on a bronze candle holder. My theme was the color green and various complementary colors. This arrangement was photographed against a white backdrop in my studio. I added a brownish, orange texture during editing. The lighting is soft and subdued.

Mardi Gras Masks

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I came upon these two Venetian masks in Goodwill. I was drawn to them and felt these beauties would make an unusual and vibrant image.These pair of Venetian-style masks are displayed prominently, one adorned with colorful details and the other in a stark black and white motif. A bouquet of red alstroemeria flowers and a single red rose add a vibrant touch to the composition, while a lit red candle provides a warm glow from the side. I placed the red candle atop an hourglass containing white sand. I photographed this arrangement against a white backdrop and added a lovely blue texture to create an etherial, otherworldly look.

All of these are somewhat similar, but different. Some have skulls, some have flowers or candles, yet all show the beauty of the masks displayed different forms.

Time Marches On

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A blue and white porcelain rabbit sits among a still life arrangement of a burning red candle on a candlestick, a pile of hardcover books, a sand hourglass, a blue alarm clock, and smooth black hot stones on a black surface. The composition of objects suggests a theme of time and antiquity, with the juxtaposition of the timeless sculpture and timekeeping devices invoking a sense of history and the fleeting nature of moments.

 

Time for Spa Day

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I used to be a massage therapist and still have some of my tools – namely hot stones. I wanted to incorporate the time element into this image. Timing when doing a massage is everything. So, I added a blue vintage alarm clock as well as an hourglass. Since candles set the mood for a massage, I added a lit red candle on top of a metal candle holder. The hourglass sits on top of three books for height. I placed the stones on top of a table covered with a beige painter’s cloth. The stones are scattered on the table. This was photographed against a white backdrop and I added a colored texture.