Still Life Photography - Feature Monday

Boy, that's come around quick! Feature Monday...and this week I'm bringing you some examples of Still Life Photography. In my opinion, it would definitely have to be the safest form of photography - but that's where the simplicity ends. While you don't need to worry about your objects moving about, or throwing tantrums, or being generally off, or be subject to the weather, there is still much to consider before actually pressing the shutter. Yes, you can photograph your still life at any time you find works for you, and take your time with the shots, there is still a fine art, a skill involved in actually taking a still life photograph, to one that is simply a happy snap of some objects bunched together. Lighting, positioning, the objects chosen, the depth of field, the angle are some of the factors to consider when "staging" a still life photograph. What are you trying to portray to your viewer - is something else to consider - is there a message to your still life - is yet another factor to consider. And while it's true that you don't need to worry about being rained on, or injure yourself while out in the wilds - there's a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to still life photography.

Here are some examples to look at:

Harmonious Shells by Maria Madeiros

Lilies by Rose Atkinson

Still Hooked by Debbie Black

Nails and Nuts Figure by VashR31

still life by me :)

A Symbol of Hope - Fine Art Photography examples

What does the term "Symbol of Hope" mean to you?  Wikipedia defines hope as being the belief of a positive outcome, especially in relation to an amount of depair or wanting or wishing or suffering.  We can hope for such basic, trivial and mundane things such as "I hope my washing dries before it gets dark", "I hope there's chocolate in the cupboard for me to snack on" to a deeper, more urgent need to hope - "I hope she'll be alright", "I hope I can make it to the hospital in time", " I hope a cure for cancer can soon be found".

It's always interesting when asking artists to depict an abstract emotion such as hope.  It can be more challenging than it first seems - how do you show hope in an image?  And what does hope sybolise to you?  As august is Cancer awareness month here in Australia, it was timely to ask artists from "A Photographer's Craft" to submit images to this challenge.   These artists have also donated works through "The Gift of Art" where all the artists' proceeds are being donating to the National Cancer Insitute. The disease that is cancer affects each and everyone of us.  I don't think I've come across a person for a long while, who hasn't in some way been affected by this disease.  I am hopeful of a cure, I am hopeful that as a society we are doing all we can to assist those researchers in finding a cure, and to help those who are living with the disease.

The following images were submitted by those artists who wanted to show their "Symbol of Hope".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whether it's the early morning rays of light, a dove in full flight, the fresh face of youth, a guardian angel watching over you, the strength that is nature or your faith in your God, it's important that we hold that sense of hope.  Thanks goes to Adrian Rachele, Mark German, Dana DiPasquale, Sue Wickham, lallymac, Redtempa, Tom Vaughan and Karri Klawiter for taking part in the challenge and allowing this images to be shown on this blog.

Fine Art Photography - Feature Monday

I was reading an on-line blog today and the topic was "Home Decorating Tips: Where to Hang Your Fine Art" and that got me thinking - now that I've learnt how to hang and how not to hang my fine art, the next decision is of course - what will I choose to hang on my walls? So, for this week, my top 3 images that I would love to hang on my walls would have to be these three - enjoy!

Did you know this about Sepia Photography?

Historically, photographs were treated with sepia toning as it rendered them longer lasting than their Black & White counterparts. Today, sepia tones and digitally produced images are as popular as ever. Creating a digital sepia toned image today is as easy as changing the setting on your digital camera or editing the images in graphic softaware programs such as Photoshop CS2.

Adding a sombre, serious, old-timer effect, sepia tones can be applied to many subjects and can really change the mood of the image altogether. Below are some examples:

"Darkened Hope" by Karri Klawiter

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"Double Vision" by Tom Vaughan

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"Small in Sepia" by Debbie Black

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"Languishing in the afternoon sun" by lallymac

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"will nobody love me?" by Adriana Glackin

Feature Monday

For the feeling of isolation and strength:

Cape du Couedic by Tom Vaughan

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For the feeling that love will conquer all:

After all we've been through... by myoriginalsin

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For the sheer pleasure that such music evokes:

Only the light reveals your workings by Jordan Ewart

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For the history and mystery of what lies behind each door and window:

Antiques by Sue Wickham

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For the decaying beauty:

Window into Budapest by Adrian Rachele