Reminiscing

Saw this old office, manual typewriter at a local antique mall.  Sunday we picked it up, replaced the ribbon and began cleaning it up a bit.  Since Sunday, I have been practicing my typing.  Back in the Dark Ages, I learned to type on a similar machine.  What a difference between then and now!

Eureka!

Attended the last day of a three-day antique sale today.  What a surprise.  Found this wonderful, old cast iron Chinese Tang-style horse. 

Old Cast Iron Tang-Style Chinese Horse

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon

P.S.  Twenty-six years ago I was fascinated with photographs of museum pieces in books.   In the early days, I took photographs using studio lights and soft boxes, then moved into using natural light.  I love still life images and thoroughly enjoy the challenge of shooting them.   This horse image sums up the process. 

I am pleased with how this journey has played itself out and look forward to doing more.  So...the "eureka" is for two things...first, finding this piece at a very reasonable price and second, being able to capture it backlit.

Wishing you all happy shooting!

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.

Preparing a Still Life (Day4/9)

Weather: Thick Fog

Last week I cleaned the kitchen (after the microwave fire) and put this antique Ball jar to one side. Yesterday's peony purchase seems to fit well. So, I handheld the D300 to get this shot as the beginning of a still life with fruit. This image is cropped straight from the camera and is a bit "soft," but I like the "softness" and decided to leave it. I will take another shot using a tripod just for the heck of it, but I am very happy with these soft edges which seem to transport one back in time. Also, normally I use a reflecting panel on the dark side, but in this image I allowed the flowers to fade away a bit into the background.

Peonies (Handheld)

Tripod shot is better for clarity, but not necessarily better for mood and the zest that comes with spontaneity. The tripod shot had to be straightened and where straightened filled in with background color. More fill, one the edges, is needed to perfect the tripod image (below)

Peonies (Tripod)

Working On Book

Working on book every morning and I am searching for time to keep up this journal. I will try to post every day, however this may not be feasible. Sooooo...will post as often as I can.

Today I worked on visual outline and paste up. Added snap grid to theme pages. Will print out and display in prominent place in the cabin.

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon--All Rights Reserved

Project: Simplify

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." --Lao-tzu (604 BC - 531 BC), The Way of Lao-tzu

Every year in January, I come up with a few long-term projects like updating my address book. This morning I woke up with an idea. To inventory props, take photographs, then paste them in a spiral, looseleaf notebook, or on large file cards (so items could be found in categories). For some reason, a book makes more sense to me than saving on a computer, disk or external hard drive. I may rethink this approach. No matter what method is used, having a plan (and sticking to it) is crucial.

My son is not interested in antiques. A dilemma: what to do with family pieces and other "stuff?" Today I will check with my daughter. If she is not interested, then it is time to sell. How weird...I love old things and am fascinated with the history (ownership) of each piece. The old adage "never assume anything" is true. I "assumed" my kids would love old things because I do. WRONG!

Time to begin the journey...sort, sell and give away.

Today: Take pictures of things and paste in journal (or on file cards), i.e old millifiore "end of the day" paper weight. Begin sorting items by category on dining room table. Next make box labels and pack up pieces with any information about each piece. After packing away excess, sell.

Antique Millifiore "End of Day" Paperweight (Concave Bottom)

Purchased as antique in 1975
(approximate purchase date)








Contemporary "End of Day" Paperweight (Flat Bottom)

Purchased in 2009









Contemporary "Little Worlds" Paperweight

(Flat Bottom/Signed)

Purchased in 1989



Wow, what I think is new, now is twenty years old! Now that is scary. :-)

Today's Find

Yesterday I visited my favorite antique mall hunting for props. While there, I ran across this old carving sitting on the top shelf of a glass case surrounded by religious artifacts. Today I went back to retrieve him.

He is a very old piece most likely from the 1600s (or earlier) and appears to be either a nobleman or tradesman. If anyone has any ideas about this piece, please let me know. Let the research begin...

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009--All Rights Reserved

Light Studies

Am studying light again (still...always). As the sun set last night, these images popped out inside the cabin...light and shadow on an old cupboard door and an antique corner chair.

Today: Food, food, food...grocery shopping, cooking and giving thanks.

Time to get some journal supplies for offline play. Consider giving handcrafted items to family and friends. Make handcrafted journals/books? Dust off sewing machine?

Today's Shoot

We went to an estate sale last Thursday and I found an old school bell similar to one I had years ago. Arriving home, I left the bell on the dining room table. This afternoon I decided to quickly snap this image. Tomorrow I may reshoot and add a candle. Do any of you remember the movie, "Bell, Book and Candle?"

Old Penmanship Boards

Altered Art Experiment [In Process]

This is such fun. I have wanted to create collage/altered art images for years. Tomorrow I will continue work on this card. Sometimes one has to stop before a project is completed. When you don't know what to do next. STOP. Take a time out...sleep on it. In the morning, when my mind is clear, the play can continue.