Painting with Light

I love bokeh!

For this last assignment in C & C’s workshop, I wanted to photograph a flower I had never shot before and I found one pretty easily a few blocks from home. I’m not very good at identifying flowers and a quick look through my garden book didn’t give me an answer. Do one of you know what this flower is? [Edited on 5/1: my former next-door neighbor informed me that this flower is a butterfly iris and I googled it and sure enough, it is. Thanks, Shere.] Shooting in aperture priority yielded these results…shadows and bokeh.

Next, I found a pond and a fountain close to the flowers. It turns out, I love reflections, too! And sunflares.

The play of the sunlight on the water as the sun faded away was compelling. The reflections of buildings and trees formed an endless variety of patterns.

I do like collages a lot.

But…I never got to a landscape photo. I was going to go out shooting again later in the week but just didn’t have the time.

Here are some of the things I learned:
1. If I ever have photographer’s block, I’ll get the eggs out. Eggs are beautiful in texture and form and beg to be photographed and you’re sure to get some good photos.
2. I love blur! I’ve not used it much and I have a hard time choosing blur over sharp but I like the result when I do.
3. Still lifes aren’t boring so you should technically always be able to find something to shoot.
4. Having an assignment makes it easier to photograph instead of being limiting as one would think.
5. Looking at the work of thirty plus other people who are doing the same assignment is very inspiring. To see how many different ways different people interpret and see is revealing. The creative process is fascinating in yourself and others.
6. Four weeks was just the right amount of time for the workshop…not so long that you feel overwhelmed or over-committed but long enough to get familiar with the other participants’ work and want to add them all to your blogroll.

Thank you, Camilla and Carolyn, for a fun and interesting 4 weeks. And I enjoyed seeing all the great photographers that participated. I’ll be checking out your blogs on a regular basis.