Marilyn Botta Photography

Lilies, Apples, and Limes

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I always feel that a black background adds a dramatic flair to a composition. This still life creation features a blue vase with orange lilies. Green apples sit at the base of the blue jug. I had a martini glass and added four limes to match the apples. I added a thick orange candle placed on a pewter candle holder. The orange in the candle offsets the orange in the lilies. The black background enhances the reflections.

This still life creation features a blue vase with orange lilies. Green apples sit at the base of the blue jug. I had a martini glass and added four limes to match the apples. I added a thick orange candle placed on a pewter candle holder. The orange in the candle offsets the orange in the lilies. I placed green apples at the base of the jug. The composition is set against a muted background, highlighting the vibrant colors of the objects.

 

 

Halloween

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I thought it only fitting that I do a Halloween themed image. I decided to photograph this scene agains a black backdrop to give it a spooky and eerie quality. I always seem to get some flowers into many of my creations. These pink lilies add a pretty pop of color, as does the bright orange candle. The brown pewter candle holder enhances the color of the beautiful textured candle. I placed a small skull atop a green glass vase. A scorpion and mini pumpkins complete my the eerie atmosphere and my vision.

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.

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.

 

Boots, Lilies, and Skull

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I had these old brown boots in my closet that I had not worn in a while. I wanted to use them in a photo, but decided to add a few items. Why not use the boots as vases? I absolutely love lilies, especially the gorgeous pink and purple ones, so I placed them into the boots. I felt the green stems and pink blooms would offset the brown in these boots. I decided to use a red candle holder and a skull. One would think that the elements I chose for this image would not work if taken by themselves. But together, the contrasting colors, shapes, and subjects form a pleasing, distinctive, yet unusual composition that somehow pleases me. For dramatic effect, I chose to photograph this creation in my studio against a black background.

 

 

Trumpet, Music, and Ice

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I just love the look of a trumpet–so shiny and sleek. In planning this composition I envisioned a lonely musician, having just taken his instrument out of the case, and fixing himself a hard drink to get him through the evening. I tried to elicit the jazz world with the contrasts of the gold of the trumpet, the black case, the ice in the drink, and black background. I feel by incorporating these elements, I have captured the mood of this scene.

Orange Lilies, Pumpkins, and Candle

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I love everything about the Fall–from the beginnings of cool crisp days, to even the end of daylight savings time. I love the colorful Autumn leaves. I decided to incorporate all the elements of this season into these images. Pumpkins are a big part of the season. I incorporated some lovely orange lilies to match the pumpkins. I added some green grapes to a green ceramic vase, as well as an upside down goblet with a white candle and flame. You can see more of my work on: marilyn-botta.pixels.com.

Green Grapes and Pears and Table

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I decided to do a still life with the color theme green and brown. I like those earthy colors because they blend so well together. I already had a small, green ceramic vase, and rather than my usual red grapes, I felt that green grapes would be in keeping with my theme. I bought some yellow chrysanthemums to offset the green and brown tones. Once I had the specific composition mapped out, I assembled my vision on a shiny brown reflective desk. The brown pears, green grapes and all the elements came together. For a dramatic flair, I photographed the scene against a black background.

My second image is similar except it is assembled on a wooden board, taken against a white background. I then used a texture in Photoshop to add the blue background. It is similar to the first, yet different.

Lilies, Plums, and Grapes

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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.

 

Hydrangea, Pears, and Plums

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I have never used hydrangeas in a photo before and wanted to see how it would look. I came upon some in a store and thought I would somehow incorporate these delicate blue flowers into a still life. I had a pretty wicker basket at home already and decided that some brown Bosc pears and red plums would complement the gorgeous colors of the hydrangeas. I set this up and decided that a black backdrop would create a perfect contrast to the vivid flowers and fruit. I was pleased with the composition. I was about to give up for the day when suddenly I got a brain storm and this whole creation fell into place. Luckily I persisted.