Thursday, December 30, 2010

SkyWatch

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
May all your wishes come true in 2011 !

Thanks to the SkyWatch team. To see more sky images from around the world, please click on the icon above.

Right before Christmas we saw some magnificent clouds and sunsets. Amazing how no two scenes are ever the same even when one stands in the same place day after day, or evening after evening. Thanks to SkyWatch for getting me to look up.


Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Titling

May rename yesterday's image. Confusion, Disorder, Topsy Turvy? Titles are important and involve thought.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Fireside Comforts

Am experimenting with light and setups today...the illumination is good; setup needs something...

Amazing what Photoshop can do in an instant...by tipping one of the spice boxes, tension is created (see final image below). With some minor refining, this image is good to go.

FIRESIDE COMFORTS
Photographs by Elisabeth Bacon
All Rights Reserved

Monday, December 27, 2010

Expectations

SHATTERED EXPECTATIONS
Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon
All Rights Reserved

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Today's Haiku

Cracking through time
Love thunders in our dreaming
Full of promises.

Elisabeth Bacon
December 26, 2010

Kodachrome Images...Gone Forever

Friday, December 31, 2010, will be the end of Kodachrome film. No new Kodachrome images will be forthcoming. How sad...there is nothing like Kodachrome. How well I recall pushing that transparency film to achieve rich, full-bodied color images. Is time for us to check our refrigerators looking for our last rolls. So today I bid farewell to a time of magnificent color shooting and developing. Goodbye, dear friend.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Snow, Snow, Snow

Merry Christmas!!!













Christmas Pearls--Christmas Miracles

Pearls stand for purity, faith, transformation, honesty, wisdom and remind the wearer to walk with dignity.


The Sunrise Rainbow started a series of wonderful events. I am feeling better than I have in months and am able to walk today...no pain. Then came the pearls. Created by saltwater oysters, complete with natural imperfections, they are a reminder that in spite of our flaws, we can glow. One must stand tall when wearing pearls.


Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Sunrise Rainbow

Thanks to our SkyWatch Team. To see sky captures from around the world, please click on the icon above.



Amazing...I have never seen anything like this: a rainbow at sunrise. I see this is a sign of good luck. May your day be filled with many blessings.


SUNRISE RAINBOW

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon

All Rights Reserved

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Back to Basics--The Sketch

Yesterday picked up pencil and played with setup. Often it is beneficial to return to basics and get in touch with one's creative roots. Just dive in...it doesn't matter if the result is good, bad or indifferent. The act itself refreshes.




Saturday, December 18, 2010

Saturday Soundoff


A critique is an analysis (unemotional/detached) and need not be a criticism (judgmental). There is a distinct difference. A long time ago, my painting mentor shared some valuable advice on giving critiques.
1. Praise the good/outstanding features in the image or piece. (Praise encourages.)
2. Then, make suggestions on...let's say...a corner of the painting. "What do you think about doing such and such over here?" If possible, give several alternatives. Have a discussion on possibilities. Ask the artist for ideas on what he/she thinks could be done in that corner.
3. Stick with technical aspects instead of inserting your emotional, personal opinions and knee jerk reactions.
4. End with positives and more praise to close the circle of discussion in a positive way.
The Result: A Win/Win
Another thing to consider is how sensitive artists can be...their innermost feelings are being expressed in their work. When discussing anyone's work, growth and excellence are the goal...not humiliation. Have your discussions in private.
Occasionally, a unique situation occurs where you may be at a loss for words. Sometimes unexpected things appear in a work. For instance, once a friend created a pink silo...think about it...need I say more? There was no away around this one. Had to simply, and softly, confront the issue head on by asking, "What does that silo look like? Do you really want a pink "silo" in your painting?" If that is your intention, then by all means, let it stay. If not, it may be time for some rethinking."
As creators, we need to step back and unemotionally access our work. Scrutinize...be ruthless. Next, ask someone whose opinions you respect to critique. If the information you receive is helpful, use it. If not....file it away for later. Never compromise your vision, your means of expression, or your integrity.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Thought for the Day


When given information or advice, take what you can use and trash the rest.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Practicing Ventriloquism with Gramps and Itsy

Feels really good practicing with Gramps and Itsy. The holiday season put a crimp in my "style." Working on writing routines also. Fianlly am back to feeling like myself again after all that Christmas shopping and card creating. This is great...


Monday, December 13, 2010

Continuing Thoughts


Lately, I have run into abuse in disguise. Be advised when someone calls you names, RUN...you are looking at a SNAKE....RUN. Their words may not seem like much, but they are. They are a warning--a red flag. Why would you want to be around someone like that? They want to put you down thinking they are building themselves up. Actually, the opposite is true. These are little people with low self esteem. Ego yes...self esteem, no. RUN! Get away and stay away from verbal abuse.


There is no excuse. Abuse, in any form, is unacceptable.
Keep in mind: They are not hurting you, they are actually hurting themselves.

Children's Rhyme: "I am rubber, you are glue...whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you."

Sunday, December 12, 2010

First Snow at First Light

A joyous sound--the snow plows in the dark. Peeking out, snow! Perfect timing for this holiday season.


Saturday, December 11, 2010


Things change. Likes, dislikes and interests are not the same now as they were five or ten years ago. We have to change. We have to move on. We have to create with fresh eyes.

When things aren't working out, it is time to change oneself and one's outlook.

For example: To find a good woman, you have to be a good man (and visa versa). Like attracts like.

The same is true of art. Art is communication--soul to soul. Like attracts like once again...

Losses are part of life and in response we grieve. Grieving takes time. When we get tired of grieving, when we are bored with wallowing in self pity, we stop. It is that simple. There comes a time to say (out loud even), "Stop It!" Only then can we sit down and make plans. Only then can we choose positive steps to make things better--to move on.

What can we do differently?

We can take an interest in what others are doing and compliment them on their accomplishments.

We can take responsibility for our thoughts, our words, our actions. We can use our time constructively. We can channel any anger energy into positive endeavors--into life's masterpieces. We can stop blaming others and claim our personal power to be the best we can be.

To be continued...

Friday, December 10, 2010

Miniature from Phone Camera

Vignetted to create old, mysterious look. This was an experiment. Who knows...may do more in the future.

ANTIQUE TRUNK

Thursday, December 9, 2010

SkyWatch

Thank you SkyWatch team. To see sky images from around the world, click on the SkyWatch icon above.
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Drama again....
EVENING SKY

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Salt Glazed Stoneware Crock, Jugs and Mug

Finally got around to shooting setup for card.
SALT GLAZED STONEWARE

Thursday, December 2, 2010

SkyWatch

To view SkyWatch images from around the world, click on the icon above.

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What a week! We had a bonanza of drama and color in sunsets and sunrise.

SUNSETS



AND
SUNRISE
Photographs by Elisabeth Bacon--All Rights Reserved


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Overworking An Image

I haven't climbed up on my soapbox in a while, but today I simply cannot resist.

Lately I have been seeing lots of images supposedly "enhanced" using a variety of software products. What I see happening is: folks don't know when to STOP. Stopping is crucial. Don't stop and the image looks overworked. After playing with an image for a few hours, the freshness can get lost. The best thing is to stop. Sleep on it. Come back refreshed (in the morning) and take another look.

We have many programs to help us. They are our new darkroom and oh, what a blessing they are. However, be aware that what heals can also kill if taken in excess. Let's do our best to heal images not destroy them.

If one wants a painting, paint. If one wants a photograph, then try to take/make the best one possible. Programs that transform photographs often can make a mess of things in the hands of a novice. So...please be careful my dear friends.

A good photograph may be worth more than a thousand words, but a bad one can evoke words we do not want to hear. :-)

Remember: STOP and above all else: Keep It Simple!!!!