Sirens Idyll: Inspiration:photography

Showing posts with label Inspiration:photography. Show all posts

Monday, March 5, 2012

Photography Circle: Cameras, Cameras, Cameras

One of the things I truly enjoy doing is talking to my art friends on how we approach different mediums. It's amazing how the same tools translate very differently from person to person. It is this fantastic dynamic that has inspired me to collaborate with two other artists, all uniquely different in their vision to talk about one of my favorite mediums: Photography. More specifically how we use photography in our journaling. From March 5^th through March 9^th, Less Herger from Comfortable Shoes Studio, Traci Bunkers and I will be discussing our own personal views on the subject with a three part blog hop (or circle as we like to call it).

March 5^th: Cameras, cameras, cameras – Will be discussing the types of cameras we enjoy using and why.

March 7^th: Process, Create, Alter - Our discussion will continue with the different ways we choose to alter our photos. What type of programs allow us to alter our photos to fit our vision.

March 9^th: A picture is worth a story and then some – In this last segment we'll touch upon the various ways we've incorporated our pictures in our journals.

So, I hope you will join in our discussion and show us your ways of using photography creatively in your journals.

I have three cameras that I use. They all have their pros and cons and work well in different situations. I will only touch upon the types of cameras I use but when it comes to cameras there are so many choices that it is hard not to find one that will work for you.

DSLR:

My big investment was a Canon Digital Rebel XSI. This was a huge jump from my point and shoot because now I had complete control over my camera. This requires forethought on my part. To think through what it is I am going to take a picture of. When this camera comes out, it's about creating a moment instead of capturing one. I see photography as a artistic medium. Creating a moment (as I did above) means orchestrating the scene in a picture to convey the emotion and story in your head. I have a number of lens with this camera. I have a zoom lens, a fixed focal length lens (50 mm) and a lens baby which is a tilt shift lens.

Point and Shoot:

My first digital point and shoot camera was a Kodak 2mp easy share camera. It was only capable of printing out 4x6 pictures but from the moment it came into my hands I fell in love with it. This camera was artistic freedom. I no longer had to wait to see my pictures or worry about wasting film if I didn't get the shot right. It was instant gratification at its finest. Nowadays the type of camera you can get for less than 130 dollars is impressive. They are thin, sleek and compact and even take video as well! I currently use a Canon powershot 12mp point and shoot. I use this camera as a backup to my cellphone camera and since it records 1080 hd video, I film videos with it as well.

Cellphone:

I have an android smart phone and to say that this little device changed the way I take photos is an understatement. As smart phones become more sophisticated their cameras become better. My phone currently boasts an 8mp rear facing camera which is pretty amazing considering that it is, in fact, a phone. I can see why they say that the point and shoot cameras have taken a hit in terms of sales. Why have a point n shoot when you can have pictures of comparable quality come out of a phone? It is one less thing to carry around.

The best things about smartphones when it comes to photography are the many applications (apps for short) that are available for free or a small fee. From vintage to faux lomo photography, you can find an app that can alter and change your photos in a way you'll find pleasing. This currently my favorite camera because of ease of use and availability. It is always with me and so I rarely miss an opportunity to take a photograph.

But this is only my way of using my cameras. Hop on over to Less Herger's and Traci Bunker's blog to see how other artists use their cameras.

Next: What types of programs we use to alter our photographs.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Daisy Yellow: Building a Rainbow - Five Days of Color: Salmon

Hello everyone and welcome to the five days of color challenge hosted by Daisy Yellow. Please be sure to check out Tammy's blog as she is the hostess for my partner color: Pale Pink.

Salmon is an interesting color as it seems to meander between pink and orange. If you go one or two steps too far either way on the hue chart, you'll have missed that combination that makes Salmon what it is. When I think of this color, automatically my thoughts run into memories of summer. Coconut oil and tanned bodies warming themselves under the noon day sun. It is the color of the Caribbean as you walk past colorful houses brightly painted in cheerful brights that make them look like delicious candy.

For this color I thought I wold revisit something I have no done in ages; Digital art. The amazing thing about digital collage/art is the myriads of things that are at your disposal. You can literally create anything your mind conjures up without having the limitations of materials on hand.

Some inspiration via Flickr:

1. Salmon Colored Buds, 2. Turquoise and Corals Wrap Bracelet, 3. Salmon Lucite Dahlia Cabochons, 4. Raindrops on poppies and whiskers on kittens..., 5. Painted Mural, Cordoba, Spain, 6. Salmon, 7. salmon rice bento, 8. chiyogami paper and salmon coloured resin bangles, 9. Simple Swirl Earrings, salmon, 10. Wall of Cafe Laurent, 11. IMG_7110, 12. Salmon, 13. To Draw You In ..., 14. Salmon?, 15. Gerbera daisy with raindrops, peach color, contrast enhanced, 16. salmon-ish chair

Prompts:

1. Try your hand at something different today. Do you usually go for your watercolors; then why not try acrylics? Do you continuiously buy pre mixed colors (like craft paint?) Well then why don't you try your hand and mixing colors to find the perfect shade of pink or salmon?

2. Find colors in unsual places. Grab your camera and pay attention to the world around you. Can you find the color of the day in your surroundings?

3. Why not add a little hidden note about what the color reminds you of. A small piece of poetry, prose a simple list and then add it to your artwork/journal page in an inconspicuous place.

Make sure you add your links with your work for this color over at Daisy Yellow. :)

Monday, December 5, 2011

Daisy Yellow: Building a Rainbow - 5 Days of Color: White

Welcome my color acolytes (this is going to have to stop. I'm going to run out of witty ways to welcome you. *laughs*) Once again I am hosting a color for day five of our Building a Rainbow Challenge hosted over at Daisy Yellow. When you're done here, check out the Daisy Yellow blog to see my partner in crime for today, BLACK.

White is an interesting color as it is in fact the absence of color. It is the symbol of purity and cleanliness. In some cultures it is the color of mourning. White can elude to the delicate, the gossamer and ethereal. It is the mist between worlds and the shorud that hides you from dreams. White is an alpha/omega color. It can be whatever it is that need it to be.

It is also the bane of my exsistence. Now, I have seen gorgeous, fantastic minimalist work done by photographers, artists and journalists. They are masters of the powerful message white can deliver when used correctly. It's just not my color of choice. So, this page was a true challenge for me. I thought: What did I want to convey with this journal page? What feelings did I want to invoke? I decided upon layers. I wanted to stay white on white but that the interest would be texture and layering. I am not sure if I accomplished it to my satisfaction but I have to say that I did like the outcome.: