Feature Monday - Fine Art Photography

The days fly by, the months fly by, our lives fly by if we're not careful. We need to remember to stop and enjoy the views around us and take in the sights and sounds that make up our every day. This week, there's a bit of a mix to my Feature Monday. The first image is by Dana DiPasquale, and maybe because I'm gripped with cold and can dream of nothing nicer than dipping my toes in that glorious golden water she has captured, it certainly holds an attraction to me - and it's surely warmer than where I am at the moment!





Another image that makes me dream of holidays spent in the sun, relaxing and catching up with family and friends - surely a most deliciously exotic location and captured beautifully by lallymac.

And while I'm daydreaming of warmer climes, why not daydream about other times - in this case, the '70's. With retro being all the rage at the moment, how fitting to capture the craze and shoot some simply '70's styled bowls, add some edgey cropping and you have a very hip-an-happening piece of wall art to impress your friends when next they visit! Very cleverly done by Nikki Trexel.

And finally, this image brings me crashing back to earth and what is reality in today's society. You can live in the most modern of societies, but that doesn't prevent parts of society from struggling to function in the way that society would like us to. This image by Rose Atkinson shows just where we as a society have succumbed, that we can simply walk by and carry on as though the crumpled lives sitting or lying propped against the city streets are simply ragged clothes and not fellow human beings.

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

Interview with John Edwards, artist on Red Bubble

About a month ago, I conducted an online interview with John Edwards, an artist on RedBubble. John doesn't simply photograph flowers, he creates the most wonderful floral images that appear to have been created in another time. Here is the interview with John. If you like this style of art, then visit his online gallery at RedBubble.

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What camera do you use?

At present I use two cameras. A Canon 5D for macro and most of my floral images and a Samsung GX10 for other work. I won the Samsung last year for having the best portfolio in a monthly competition run by DSLR User magazine in the UK.



What is your favourite colour?

I love all colours but my favourite at the moment is Red.




What triggered your love for floral images?

In 2000 I received a Nikon CP990 digital camera as a Christmas present. I was amazed by the images it produced and one day turned the camera on a vase of Lilies. I was so pleased with the resulting image I submitted it to a site run by Nikon UK and came second in a competition they were running. That first image has ended up costing me a small fortune as after that I had the bug in a big way and after a while bought a Canon 300D and started submitting floral images to a couple of image libraries in the UK.




What else do you like to photograph?

As well as floral subjects I’ll point my camera at anything that takes my fancy although I particularly enjoy woodland scenes.




What are your inspirations when photographing?

My inspirations are the life I see all around me in my garden and local woodlands and parks.




What would you do if you weren't afraid?

If I had the confidence and budget to do it I’d love to have an exhibition of my work somewhere.

What is "The Gift of Art"?

Gift of Art is an initiative organised by the members of "A Photographer's Craft". This on-line art community, brought together via RedBubble have donated a number of their photographic work to a charitable cause. From May to August 2008, all proceeds from sales of their photographic cards, wall art, mounted prints and canvases will go to the National Cancer Institute. The National Cancer Institute allocates research funds to scientists from around the world whose work involves cancer research, the prevention, the causes and potential cures of the disease.

As individuals, we need to understand that we can make a difference in combating a disease such as Cancer. That every little bit counts, every little effort counts, and when pooled together it will make a difference so that this disease, which does not discriminate, can be eradicated.

So where does A Gift of Art fit in? Buy a card, a print, a canvas, a poster from this selection of fine art photography and the proceeds will go to National Cancer Institute. You will also have a beautiful piece of art as a memento of your donation. If you have an upcoming occasion, please consider buying from A Gift of Art - your effort will count.

My On-Line Love Affair...

...started with the sheer delight experienced by rsmac and his dainty image of a sea shell. If rsmac could derive such pleasure from uploading his images onto RedBubble, then, surely so could I..couldn't I? And so almost a year down the track, the love affair of taking photos, editing them so that they become my interpretation, uploading them onto RedBubble, and of course selling the occasional card and wall art and t-shirt has continued and shows no sign of waning. Something so enjoyable couldn't possibly be bad for you, I mean there's the online community, there's groups to join, forums to chat on, competitions to enter, critiques to be a part of... And of course, there is the daily learning. In life, whether it be real or virtual, is there no better aim that to learn something new everyday?

Fine Art & Photography by Adriana Glackin