Week 16: Blue Hour!
Extra Challenge: Light Painting
After a week of nothing but clouds we finally got a little weather break.
In a city of a thousand green spaces we headed up to the top of one of the hills overlooking the city.
The sun had set and night was falling. The park was mostly empty.
Lot’s of space, a flashlight, and a willing participant allowed for some fun with light painting.
My husband madly ran around waving the flashlight in what seemed to be a random pattern.
In reality he was writing Calgary with the light.
The trick was he had to write it backwards so I would not have to flip the photo and have the city landscape backwards.
I don’t know what was more fun; what we were doing, or watching the small audience that was watching us.
With the help of a little extra “mood boosters” (those are legal in our part of the country)
they were immensely entertained by our photographic antics.
Week 15: Dreamscape
Through the eyes of a child
What do you think he dreams of?
Just his teddy and he?
A composite photo from a portrait session that I did over the week was used to create this dreamscape.
Multiple layers were used to create the background for the photo.
I wanted to show the foreground of the photo realistically and then fading off into the dreamscape in front of him;
Representing what might be in his imagination as he conspires with the teddy on the adventures they are off to have.
Week 14: Fill the Frame
Fill the paper;
Fill the brush;
Fill the frame.
So much fun creating this shot.
It’s all about the paint.
By the way it also filled my face, my lens and the whole darn room by the time I was done.
Week 13: Get Low
Extra Credit: 4+ Leading Lines
Spring Buds
In my neck of the woods these are the first buds of spring.
The elusive Lost Gloves. Not related to the more common foxglove plant.
Lost Gloves make sudden appearances with no foliage yet appearing around them.
They await a worthy recipient to come along and pluck them from their branches.
Once plucked they should quickly be placed in the correct arrangement
at the end of a long appendage surrounded by a tight cuff;
balanced delicately with a matching arrangement on the opposite side.
Week 12: Music
Extra Credit: Musical Shaped Bokeh
“ Open Strings ”
Open house for our junior high took place this week.
A great opportunity to showcase what we learn in photography class.
I set up a violin suspended by fishing line and put some lights on the wall behind.
I hand cut a frisket in the shape of a musical note.
Then I spent the rest of the evening showing the potential students and their parents
how to take a photo about music with musical shaped bokeh.
Great fun was had by all and I think enrolment will be healthy next year.
Week 11: High Noon
Extra Credit: Fan Ho
“ Unattainable ”
SELECTED FOR 52 PICS OF THE WEEK
The high noon sun blazes through the overhead skylight and shines onto the stairwell
casting heavy shadows and accentuating the geometric architecture of this unique building.
The dark shadows, geometric patterns and urban sense are all elements that replicate the style of the great Fan Ho.
Though lesser known than some of his Western contemporaries,
Fan Ho was one of the most important street photographers of the 20th century.
Ho is said to be one of one of the Most Influential Asian Photographers.
His photos are mostly centred around street photography and urban life.
“Even if you cannot achieve the unattainable, you shall at least surpass yourself” — Fan Ho
Week 10: Complementary Colours
Extra Credit: Product Photography
“ Sparkling Martini Anyone? ”
Playing with smoke and fire is always a fun way to spend some time.
This product photograph featuring a martini seemed like the perfect excuse.
I wanted to use the mist from the diffuser to appear like smoke.
In order to enhance its effect I lit it with a red light from above and to the side.
With red as the primary effect I turned the diffuser to the complementary colour placed the martini glass and poured.
Yet, somehow the photo still needed a little sparkle.
Yes, that’s it sparkle. I grabbed a sparkler, hid it behind the glass and viola!!
Sparkling Martini anyone?
Week 9: Macro
Extra Credit: Focus Stacking
“ SWEET! ”
Crystals always make for interesting shots so I grabbed a sprinkle of sugar and threw it on my black stove top.
I felt the composition needed a little something so I used a nut pick to arrange the sugar crystals into the word.
I love how clear and sharp the crystals appear.
Week 8: Line From A Song
“ To the Carnival ”
A very important day in our year is Carnivale. It is a day of celebration, song and most importantly food.
At our school the entire day is spent in celebration and fun.
I captured this photo of some beautiful face painting.
"Come with me, come with me,
To the carnival, to the carnival.
You will see, you will see,
What you want to see, exactly what you want to be,
At the carnival, at the carnival, at the carnival."
Song by Eric Clapton
"Come with me, come with me,
To the carnival, to the carnival.
You will see, you will see,
What you want to see, exactly what you want to be,
At the carnival, at the carnival, at the carnival."
Song by Eric Clapton
Week 7: Chair
Extra Credit: Tell a Story
“ The Fish Chair ”
Sometimes simply by sitting the soul collects wisdom. - Zen proverb
A gift from a student this beautiful hand painted chair resides in my classroom.
The invitation to, “come sit in the fish chair”, is extended frequently throughout the day.
It is the chair by my desk where a student is invited to sit when they want to talk,
need help, or receive a little encouragement or “re-direction”.
I hope when they sit in the chair a little light shines down on them to give them the wisdom they need to succeed.
Week 6: Shallow Depth of Field
eflections on Love ”
I wanted to do a water drop photo for this weeks challenge.
A little glycerin for the drop on a raised piece of glass and a heart sticker on a black foam.
I just found next weeks project for my photography students. :)
Week 5: Black and White
“ Frozen Bubble ”
When the temperatures dip the time is right to head out with the camera
and take some pictures of some frozen bubbles.
I love how the pattern of the bubble freezing is showcased by the black and white.
Week 4: Portrait of a Stranger
Extra Credit: Use a Prop
“ How to Eat Popcorn ”
I was in the staffroom at our school when I noticed a guest teacher with an unusual method of eating. She was eating popcorn out of a bowl with chopsticks. I was quiet fascinated watching her eat and couldn't resist asking her why. She explained it was a habit she developed from gaming. When she is snacking she explained she doesn't want to get grease from her fingers on her gaming equipment. Therefore she has adapted by eating her chips, popcorn and cookies with chopsticks to keep her fingers clean. I thought that was quite a brilliant solution and couldn't resist asking her if I could take her portrait to use for this weeks project. We all know the best camera is the one you have with you so I shot with my iPhone on portrait mode and loved the result.
Week 3: Your Hobby
Extra Credit: Studio Lighting
“ Music ”
For this week I moved my studio equipment to my music room.
I knew I wanted to play with my dad’s old cokin filters; and I wanted to focus on the use of light.
On top of my piano I have some busts of composers.
I placed my favourite piece of classical music behind the busts and took a shot.
This photo has all the elements I was aiming to achieve.
I really wanted to create the sense of history and romance in the photo.
The result is so sentimental to me. My favourite composer is Tchaikovsky
and the use of focus and light highlights him.
The sheet music was my grandmother’s and creates a contextual background.
The filters were my dad’s and created the effect of focus and light flair from the studio lights.
Week 2 - Blur the Action
Extra Credit - Panning
“ Driftin’ ”
Where I come from our idea of fun is drifting on the frozen lake. It was an awesome opportunity to practice panning.
I love how the snow flying has bits of total stillness and other bits of smooth movement.
Week 1 - Self Portrait
“ Winter Hike ”
I took this self-portrait with my iPhone after climbing to the lookout on a beautiful winter hike.
I love how the depth in the photo accentuates the vastness of the valley below.
I am so blessed to live in beautiful Alberta with so much nature right in our backyard.
