Our Newest Family Member

Yesterday the UPS guy knocked on our front door. Behind him stood a huge box. "What is that?," I asked. "I didn't order anything that big."

"It's addressed to you," he replied, carrying the box inside.

I peeled away the tape, pulled out the packing and peeked into the dark cardboard abyss. "What the heck....?,"

There, to my amazement, staring back, was Oxy. Wow! What a surprise! Oxy belongs outside my friend's apartment, in Pennsylvania. What a gift! My friend sent him to me.

MEET OXYMORON

OUT OF THE BOX--OXY LOOKS AROUND

THEN...HEADS TO A COMFORTABLE SPOT NEAR OUR FRONT DOOR

Planning for Simple Images

This afternoon was spent running errands and then, after the boring "have-to-do" chores; to visit my favorite resale shop and the grocery store. Both places are a plethora of artistic materials. A covered, pewter pitcher from the Netherlands caught my eye at the resale shop. Snow peas, peaches, pears, plums, grapes, lemons and some veggies filled the grocery cart.

It is time, once again, to envision Renaissance settings and proceed. A variety of classical images dance in my head. Next, I look forward to sewing a broad-brimmed white cap for my model. A dear friend will sit for some of the shots. Her portrait will be filled with potatoes, breads, copper pots, tulips and poppies. The light will be natural, or candlelight.

It is, as another friend reminds me, "time to work the magic." I can hardly wait.

Outdoor Wednesday -- #32

Outdoor Wednesday is here again. My, my the week did fly by. To see other entries, or enter, click here. Thank you Susan, at A Southern Daydreamer, for graciously hosting this event each week.

While we were out shooting, we ran across leaves turning red. Soon the air will smell like fall and school will be in session. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. This red leaf has me excited. I love the brilliant splashes of color in the North Carolina mountains.

Studying Light and Color--2

The study of light and color is a lifelong process. Yesterday's grapes are still in process. Today I think I will let this image stand as is. Different monitors will have an effect on what is seen online. The proof is in the printed proof. That's the bottom line.

Studying Light and Color

Highlights are important. The above image has some of the original highlights while the image below has been dramatically altered. I like the top image more than the extremely altered one.

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Color is a matter of preference. I prefer a subtle, natural look rather than vibrancy.

Vines

We captured some vine caves today and this is a rendering in colored pencil. I may crop these into a grouping of panels. The original photographs may be shared later as part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Stage One:

Adaptation by Elisabeth Bacon 2009--All Rights Reserved

Stage Two:

Adaptation by Elisabeth Bacon 2009--All Rights Reserved

A Tip for Simplifying and Getting Organized

Here is a BIG tip: Make a list of things to do, of things to be put away, etc.. Then, one by one do what is on the list. Now this doesn't sound like much of a tip, however it is a fantastic way to get things done. Making this list cuts down on being overwhelmed. How easy it is to sit and look around without getting up and doing. Looking at all that needs to be done can stop us in our tracks. Instead, make the list...do the list...then...check off each item completed. Try it...you might like it.

Here Kitty Kitty

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

What a delightful morning! Off to an estate sale and here is our "find." Every time I look at "Ches" I smile. How delightful! Welcome to our home you little dickens.

Kitty is quite large (10 x 12 inches approximate) and has a secret. There is a hidden compartment in his/her underside. That explains the "innocent, I didn't do it" look.

Thematic Photographic #62--Abandoned

Thanks to Carmi for hosting these themes each week. If you would like to see more thematic photographs, or enter yours, please click here.

Abandonment, aloneness and things that were once needed, then discarded has been something I have been thinking about a lot. Often objects are used, then left behind. This concept is one of my favorites. Here is a photograph taken earlier this week on the same topic:

BASKET IN THE ATTIC

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Outdoor Wednesday #31

Thank you Susan for hosting Outdoor Wednesday. To participate go to: http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Albrecht Durer is one of my favorite artists. I particularly like his rendering of a rabbit in watercolor.

The other day we saw this sweet bunny outside the cabin. The photograph was taken through our living room window. As soon as I saw the results, I knew what I wanted to do.

Here is my interpretation of our friendly bunny:

THE RABBIT

An Altered Image By Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Basket Using Studio Light

A studio light was in a box under a table in the garage of that estate sale last week. The price was so low I couldn't pass it up. This is strange because my studio lights are packed away and natural light has been my challenge. Anyway, home came the light along with a snoot and a strange attachment that appears to soften light without a soft box.

The results make me want to use studio lights again.

BASKET

A Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Perfect! And...there is a surprise...I love when a surprise shows up in an image. Check out the diagonal stripes on the inside of the handle.

Sometimes synchronicity works and hands you unexpected blessingS. Stay alert. Opportunities man appear anywhere, at any time.

Abandoned

At the estate sale last Thursday, this basket jumped out at me. So, had to bring it home (complete with dust and straw). Set it up today and struggled with lighting. Getting the sun to shine through the side was important and I may play with different angles and settings to improve on the lighting. The goal: to create a look and mood of abandonment.

BASKET IN THE ATTIC

Photograph by Elisaabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

A Play Day

Today has been most enjoyable. I pulled up a poppy shot and began fooling around altering it--adding and subtracting. More may be either added or subtracted later. That always happens after sleeping on a project.

So.... Here is Step 1:

A Lone Sunflower

A large solitary sunflower popped through nearby tar mack. Decided to zoom in on patterns and play with some dramatic cropping.

Thematic Photographic #61 -- Lines

Thank you Carmi for hosting Thematic Photographic. If you would like to view more photographic interpretations of LINES click here. Here are two of my favorites:

Outdoor Wednesday

Thank you Susan for hosting Outdoor Wednesday. To see more photographs from Outdoor Wednesday, or to participate, please click here.

WILDFLOWERS

Shooting every day is a renewed goal. Yesterday I headed out for our wildflower bed. The delicate drawings of Albrecht Durer and Andrew Wyeth came to mind while viewing clumps of grasses with scattered blooms.

A Sprig of Wild Flowers

I love illuminated manuscripts and one has a border of flowers similar to these:

Perhaps I will be able to duplicate as a watercolor border for book.

Dew

Sounding Off A Day Late

MAJOR ARTISTIC/CREATIVITY RULE:

This is a big one folks....

Unless you are teaching, participating in a class, or are involved in a commissioned shoot, do NOT suggest what photographs others should take...AND do NOT let others suggest what photographs you should be taking. Your images need to be original from start to finish. They need to express you. Telling someone what to create ruins the experience of seeing and discovery. One cannot attain higher dimensions when others interfere.

Only help when asked.