Winter is a good time to be taking a still life photography class. It helps fill the hours when I would rather be outside. I do go out everyday, but even bundled up, you can't stay outside too long. So, right now, Be Still 52 is helping to fill the days inside. Come spring, it will be a different story and I'll have to work at staying inside. Our exercise this week was to include a banner, garland, or something hanging in the background.
My first idea was to create a story about bird watching, so I made a bird garland and gathered a few other things: binoculars, nature book, nest, and feathers.
Then, I took out the binoculars because it just seemed to have too much black and added a piece of pottery with feathers. I like this one better.
On a trip outside to walk in the falling snow, I thought of a natural garland. This picture didn't turn out to be what I really wanted and it's not very impressive. I tried different backgrounds, but just couldn't get the warmth I wanted and as most of you know, I don't have a good editing program.
Not being real happy with any of the above, I tried a sewing theme. I gathered some sewing paraphernalia and a heart garland that I made some time ago.
I did a few close ups to highlight some of the items I chose: a little basket that sits on a small shelf in the hall and my grandmother's needle book and buttons. The quilt that I used to sit everything on was made by my grandmother. I used the back so it would be less distracting. I love to see those tiny stitches that her hands made.
The more I looked at these images, I realized that they tell a great deal about me. They tell my love for birds, nature, sewing, crafting, and vintage items.
There are so many different ideas for garlands, buntings, and banners that I think one could do a year of photographs of them. Just think of the possibilities, Easter banners, birthday banners, beach theme banners, Christmas banners; you get the idea. Am I going to do the series? No, but banners may be showing up more in my photography!
What an interesting posting, Cathy. I love all your banners and the blackbirds are so well done. I like the second photo best too with the little pottery vase. I really like the nature banner and I find the plain beige is perfect to set it off. I like all your sewing bits and bobs too and the hearts out of music paper are such fun! Well done for everything!
ReplyDeleteThese are all wonderful pictures that say 'Cathy'! You are much more persistent than I am! Well done.
ReplyDeleteCathy, I love how you showed your thought process, and trying several stills, with different buntings. The black birds is priceless! I hope you will use it again, and I find the first image remarkable! Each one with a story and each one a delight to see.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing your still life compositions and reading about how you decided to arrange them. I gravitate to the sewing one - I like the white and ecru color theme.
ReplyDeleteI also meant to tell you how much I like your Header.
ReplyDeleteAll looked great, but my favorite is the sewing theme. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI am just so impressed with your creative solutions to these assignments. I wouldn't have the first idea what to do to include a banner in my shot. I like how each one gives us a view into the things that matter to you.
ReplyDeleteI really love all three of your banners Cathy! That black bird banner is adorable:) You sure do seem to have had fun with this!
ReplyDeleteSomeone had a ton of fun this week, the black birds are just so darn great, love how they spill over the book, just you in everyway. So good Cathy and see all of these how much fun you had even staying inside.
ReplyDeleteCathy, I'm impressed by the way you kept trying very different ideas until you got results you liked. I've been feeling guilty for having such a bad attitude about the whole bunting thing! I actually really like the first one with the binoculars. I wanted to use my binoculars in my own vignette, but just couldn't make it work. I also love the collage of your little sewing basket and sewing goodies. I enjoyed reading about your process and the special meaning behind the objects you used.
ReplyDeletethese are all so pretty. i really enjoy looking at this type of photography but i am not good at it and rarely do it!!!!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I think you came to a perfect conclusion all on your own - that these vignettes tell us about you! Oh, the beautiful banners you made - those little birds! Your brought together so many elements of things you love to create these beautiful photographs. I love seeing how you try different views and compositions - and each one brings you closer to your true self. Keep at it - your photography is so heartfelt!
ReplyDeleteI love those old binoculars. I have an old vintage pair as well, that once the weather warms will hopefully be showing up in photos. No banners or bunting for me. Yours are beautiful though.
ReplyDeleteYou are rocking the still lifes, Cathy! It's great to see this variety, and how they reflect your interests. My favorite is the sewing theme, with the lovely objects arranged so beautifully. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteWell, if I wasn't inspired about banners before, I sure am now! I love the blackbird banner and the natural banner ... oh goodness ... the natural banner is amazing. I may have to try that - such gorgeous images all of them.
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