I decided to do a still life using mini carnations and green pears as the theme. I put the carnations into a pear-shaped brown glass vase. I also added the carnations to a small black-and-shite ceramic vase. I added a green lit candle to a metal holder and placed two green pears beneath it. I placed all the elements on top of a wooden board. I added an orange texture as a background to bring out the beauty of this composition which have complementary colors.
Time Marches On
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.
Yellow Sunflowers
I always loved sunflowers; all different sizes. The blooms, bright yellow, are so beautiful but the backside of the flower is exquisite. It is just as expressive and lovely as the front. I decided to concentrate on doing a close up. I had not used my macro lens lately, but I found the closer I zeroed into the lush, complex, green petals of the backside, the more excited I got. I always think an image, especially a sunflower, is so much more dramatic when moving as close as possible and photographing just a portion of the flower. I think this vivid picture was exactly what I had envisioned.
Lilies, Plums, and Grapes
Here are three different images using lies, plums and grapes. I found some beautiful pink lilies with many pretty green buds that I decided to use to create still life. I felt that purple plums and red grapes would add vibrance to this composition. I placed the plums in a colorful ceramic bowl, and the grapes into a red champagne glass. I had an elegant red vase into which I place the lilies. I assembled the elements of my vision on a brown wooden board with some plums and grapes overflowing. For dramatic effect, I shot the scene using a black background. I like the way the black contrasts with the vivid colors of the lilies and fruit. I also chose to use a black goblet on one version. All of these are very similar, yet different.
Hospice Photo Shoot
I was asked to take some photos of a lovely lady of 91 and her daughter recently at the Marshall Pines memory care facility. She is technically in hospice, but she is stable right now. I went there with the hospice coordinator who was familiar with the family. Rather than being a sad visit, it was really fun because there was such a sweet interaction between mom and daughter and I could just feel the bond and love they have for one another. I decided to take the photos without any flash equipment because I felt it would be distracting and intrusive. The original images were in color, but I turned them into black and white to create the mood I was looking for.
Purple Hydrangeas and Plums
I came upon some beautiful purple hydrangeas and decided to incorporate them into a still life. I had a multicolored purple glass vase at home that I had picked up a few weeks before. I love the look of wicker baskets and fruit, so I added a round wicker basket filled with a few plums to my arrangement. It really started to take shape when I incorporated the elements on a brown wooden board. I felt that a green background would best bring out the composition that I was aiming for. I photographed the scene against a white background and added a green texture during editing. I think the contrasting colors and shapes make for a very pleasing image.
I decided to experiment with the elements that I had used in a prior image. However, this one would be against a black backdrop, photographed on a black table. I used the round wicker basket, and purple plums, but I substituted a clear glass purple vase and added a small gold glass. It is amazing that just by changing the elements of an image, a whole different composition will emerge. They are similar yet different. I like the reflections on the table too.
Deana in NJ
In June 2023 I went on a trip to NJ to see family (son, grandkids) and I met my son’s friend, Deana. She was gracious enough to let me take some photos of her outside. I think they reflect her sunny disposition and her beauty. I used a fill flash that I had built into the camera which worked very well to eliminate shadows in her face.
Green Grapes Still Life and Macro
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.
Still Life Photography
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.
Head Shots of Laura
My friend Laura asked that I take a few professional head shots for her online presence. She came to the studio and we tried a gray background, but I suggested we try a light blue. She has lovely blue eyes and the blue background made them show up more. We both agreed that the blue background was the best. She then suggested that we take a few outside. We went outside near my house and I shot a few with trees in the background.
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