Photo Journal Episode 2 - Photographing the Familiar
Monday, January 16, 2012 at 03:17PM When I looked at my inspiration folder I noticed that in the majority of my photographs the subject was some aspect of nature, often just a small detail. I think that one reason for this is that I haven't got a great camera (roll on my birthday) so that pictures I take of buildings or more panoramic views often don't come out very well ( this may not be the only reason of course). Bearing that in mind, I decided to go on a photoshoot in my garden.
This presented a number of challenges as the sunlight was very bright and my camera doesn't have a view-finder, only an LCD display, and I was shooting 'blind' a lot of the time. Also I was trying to take photos from different angles above, below, through etc which was also challenging in terms of knowing what I had actually taken. I was rather surprised to find myself in one of the Hellebore pictures below, although I think the pink in my hair blends in quite well with the colours on the plant!
When I arrived at the processing stage I had fun playing with these photo's of a Hellebore taken from above and below, with and without the photographer!
In this third one I was trying to hold the camera under the plant without lying down on the freezing soil.
What I most enjoyed about the photo shoot was searching for details to wonder at in the winter garden. I particularly liked the diversity of colours and textures in this section of the frozen pond.
similarly I was drawn to this tangle of dogwood and corkscrew hazel because of the richness of the textures, shapes and colours.
Reader Comments (16)
Great photos! I agree the processing stage is right up there with the fun of photographing!
Your garden looks just lovely. I really like the frozen pond with the layers of leaves trapped below and the sunlight on the twisted willow. But best is the one of you and your pink hellebore. (Funny thing, my subject was hellebore too.) I think you'll make a big leap forward with a more versatile camera.
Love the frozen pond photo! It must be difficult to photograph outside when fingers are so cold!
What fun photos! I love that you really worked at getting your photos!
As a total dunce at photography and processing, I am full of admiration!
I really like your unscheduled appearance - it makes for an intruiging and fun picture.
Probably my favourite, though, is the last one - as the colours and textures appeal to me.
Just think how much fun you will have with the new camera - look forward to seeing your adventures with it in due course.
D
i really like the light, shadows & textures in your pond photo & the dogwood is so rich & vibrant, your garden looks like a fun place to play !
I laughed when I read about your accidental inclusion of your pink hair (I only manage to get my feet in some of mine) and was then quite intrigued by the image. I like the fact that you posted it with the flower appearing right side up, your head and shoulders hovering mysteriously at the top. I caught and held my attention. Now that's the sort of shot you'd never have thought to take. In the other photos, the colors and textures of your winter garden are rich indeed, expecially that last one. I empathize with your struggle in working with a camera that gets in your way of creating the sorts of images you really want to take. Soon I hope you'll have the one you need.