Flowers and Monsters

A word about the flowers. When I went to get groceries, I walked by the 'flower' stand at Wally World and was so surprised at the price that flowers have gone too. 

I used to buy flowers at this time of year once in a while just to brighten the house up. These weren't the freshest, but it was a small bouquet that I could see spending $5 on for some photo challenges and experimentation.

The roses do have a nice scent to them.

I don't watch much TV so sometimes I need to occupy myself with something. Experimenting in photography is always a choice.

I used a flashlight and another little light called Small Rig to play with the light and dark.

 

I even tried some ICM. I sort of like it and sort of don't. But it was fun trying it out on the tiny flowers.

I need a lot more experimenting to try and come up with something artistic and beautiful.

Then of course I couldn't help but make good use of the lighting to feature my Fuggly Monsters.

They are so ugly and fearful, they are sort of cute. 

I have no idea why I love monsters and dragons so much. I just think they are neat. Not real life human monsters ---> they are horrid. I like fantasy monsters. Toy monsters are the best of course.

Messing around

 

In the mean time, I've been busy with experimenting with lights indoors. I used a technique called Black Background ... it uses no background but a setting on the camera that makes the scene black and then the photographer uses a flashlight, flash, or something to light up the subject.

It was a pain to do, but I think if I practice a LOT more I can get it to work pretty easily. I'm studying how to do this outdoors while photographing a flower. I didn't take a 'how to' shot. 

I did it on the kitchen table with light coming in through a curtain. There is a coffee cup about 6 inches from the Lego Bird.

While the camera thought the scene was black, I used a bright flashlight to light up the Lego Bird and this was the result. I still have some work to do to figure out the best settings for this type of photography.

I tried a new method of lighting up a subject from underneath. I found a large piece of broken glass and put it on some old play blocks.
I stuck a flat light under the critters and a weak light shining on them from the front.

That is how I did the Shark Duckie shot which you already saw last week:

I then stood a tiny soldier right on top of the light with a black plastic background.

The soldier standing on the light with a black reflective
background behind him.

Cropped version...

A Calico Critter ~
She stood on the light and I took a flashlight and
lit her up from the top.

The shots turn out quite moody and interesting. I'd guess this method would work with some still life like an apple or forks or utensils? Perhaps a salt shaker with salt spilled on the glass and a small measuring spoon alongside it?

I just have to face it. There is not a lot out in the woodlands right now to get excited about. 

However. Things are starting to happen!

I saw Robins again today, along with Bluebirds, Sandhill Cranes have been flying overhead...and this morning I heard my first red winged black bird.

Seems like I need to start looking for neat signs of spring.

I guess a mission to look for Skunk Cabbage should be in order!

PS-- I did find skunk cabbage when I went out on Tuesday for my walk.