I bought some beautiful ripe red strawberries to eat as a snack. However, because they were so pretty, I decided to line them up and take pictures. I decided to photograph them in my studio using strobe lighting, on a black table, against a black backdrop.
Orange Lilies and Apples
I found an orange wax candle, and a peach and cream colored ceramic vase while looking for items to use in my still life. The vase was matched with some gorgeous orange lilies which offset the orange in the candle. Two red apples were placed at the base of the candle holder, and added a gray stone vase with little baby yellow carnations was added. The entire composition was offset by a beautiful texture I added as a background. There is a lovely contrast between the rustic vases and the vibrant colors of the flowers.
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.
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.
