Friday, April 02, 2010

still life : composition and perspective

It's C & C Photography's 2nd photography assignment, and the focus this week is composition and perspective. So I gathered together some beach stones, seaweed, shells, a bowl from Ron Dean pottery, a witch ball, and a little sequined ball. I arranged them on a painted nightstand, with the afternoon light coming in the window. I used 3 different lenses to achieve these effects. I did my photo editing using Picnik.

Straight on


Bird's eye view



Up close and personal


Off center


Unfocused


Monochrome

I'm throwing in a few bonus shots, just because I couldn't leave these behind on the cutting room floor.

Sequins abstracted


Witch light


Textured

I took two other series of shots using different objects -- the first set (beach finds) was too busy (too many items) and the light and setting were wrong. The second set (toys outdoors) was cute but not really still life material-- more like a series of portraits.

I have to say I love the results of this assignment. The light was perfect, and the different textures and tones really helped. I like that because of the textures and light, the monochrome shot is interesting as well. Thanks to Camilla and Carolyn for another great learning experience.


29 comments:

  1. These are really beautiful! The unfocused one is so ethereal and I love "up close and personal."

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  2. Your photos are just wonderful. I like the colors, so calm and I really love your close up and the photos with the light shining on the witch ball.

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  3. It's wonderful that so few photos can tell such a full story. I'm glad you included the extras...so fun to see them all!

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  4. I found your work through Flickr. You have achieved wonderful results; your compositions are beautiful.

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  5. wow! I love these, especially the ones with the green ball. I want to do mine over...

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  6. I love the light on the green ball and the contrast with the darker background. Wonderful pictures!

    http://leafgreenknits.wordpress.com/

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  7. Wow Lucy, I love those colors together!
    Beautiful light and compo!
    My favourites are the first and the third one!
    These photo's don't need a texture ;)

    Happy easter =:0)

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  8. Sigh...
    This blows me away.
    Your work is simple and understated. A look I tried SO hard to achieve...that you have captured so well.
    Love the seaweed, such a nice touch.
    Your images are all lovely from the straight on, unfocused to monochrome.
    Art!

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  9. Oh yes, the up close and personal piece is so nice. The light and the simplicity. I love it.

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  10. Oh my I love all of your photos. I love how the light reflects through the green glass. Absolutely beautiful.

    :)Lisa

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  11. Wow, I love all of the ones with the witch ball especially...the way it reflects. I think I need one. Beautiful! And your collage, too pretty. You had fun and it shows.

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  12. I agree that your work is outstanding. You truly seem to have an eye for composition, and the lighting really works for these translucent objects, many of which seem truly ethereal.

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  13. Gorgeous shots...every one of them. I like how you refer to the "cutting room floor"...I felt the same way about a few of mine!

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  14. spellbinding.
    so many other superlatives were already taken.
    these are altogether terrific - color, composition.
    i've always been partial to beach finds.
    i especially love up close.

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  15. Love the first one and the blurred one. So, so pretty. The colors are gorgeous.

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  16. holy crap. too cool for school!! your first photo. timeless and peaceful and intriguing, inviting, moody, lovely.

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  17. Your photos are beautiful. Up close and personal are just amazing, infact I could see them in a frame in my house! I enjoyed reading about your learning process whilst doing this.
    Happy Easter.

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  18. Gorgeous, gorgeous-- very interesting and all so varied. Excellent! The rounded corners pop nicely amongst the sharp angled images. (you might see me copy that)

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  19. not only have you done a fabulous job with this assignment,but you have captured a fabulous mood as well.

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  20. Yes....I have to say this is truly magical! I love the light you captured with that glass ball! Oh and the first shot......the negative space is so captivating....it is wall worthy!!!!
    I love your blurred shots as well Lucy! Happy Easter!

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  21. amazing mood.. feel, comp.. amazing ... all around!! ♥

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  22. The green glow, amazing.
    I am impressed with your work.

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  23. Wow!! Just beautiful!! The light and reflections from the witch ball are fantastic!

    The monochrome is my favorite...there is so much tonal contrast that you don't miss the color...and the shadows at the end of the table are perfect.

    Lovely work!

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  24. absolutely stunning! deep sigh, for beauty.

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  25. lovely arrangement. i like your straight on shot and the use of negative space in it as well. and the unfocused is so painterly and beautiful.

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  26. Magical indeed! Wow, I LOVE what you gathered here! Very inspired! The turquoise of the witch ball - such a beautiful colour! I love it against the brown background in your first photo, and the use of negative space in that one is also... gorgeous... The rocks... the abstract, the... ehm... beauty :) of it all!

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  27. Wow! These are just incredible...all of them. I am so inspired to do another still life.

    Annie

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  28. There's such a mystical quality to this set of photos. Really beauitful light and composition. wow!

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  29. I'm really inspired by your work. Im currently doing composition on photography as well, so it is such an inspiration to me! Thank you for such creative masterpieces! :)

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