Playing with light – 2017 Week 27

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Helen C

A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.
— Leo Buscaglia

The joy of doing-nothing has not been well studied (I think), but one can certainly addict to it. At first, I was going to take easy for a couple of days. Then I added another two days, then two weeks…

I took the above photo last night by placing a strong flash light under the rose. I didn’t use any special filter, just playing with the light, trying to do something I hadn’t done before.

Do I love the photo? I am not 100% sure. It’s different. I definitely need to experience more. Here are several others that I took.

I want to thank Cee for her daily flower post, and I want to thank Reinhold Staden for his “Into White”, which got me out of that do-nothing mood. 😉

On second thought, not taking many photos, maybe, doesn’t mean do-nothing. I have watched several photographing videos and started having some interest in taking portraits. I used to think that taking portrait is something like “she or he poses and I shoot”. Now I understand it’s more than that 😉 I understand the importance of bringing out the subject’s emotion and her/his unique characteristic. Not being able to find a free model, I took several photos of myself using a remote control. Sadly, I didn’t get any good one to show you 😉 But, I did learn a little about lighting through the process.

I am also reading two books: The Passionate Photographer, and Within the Frame – thanks to Otto for his suggestion. Not sure if I had said it before… I had been searching for a meaningful project to work on. A meaningful project, for me, means: having some educational value, and benefiting some people. I have had a couple of ideas, but none is solid at this moment. So, for now, I would take easy and enjoy reading books and watching videos ;-).

Thanks for visiting my blog.

About Helen C

A retired computer programmer who loves writing and photographing, and has managed to publish a YA novel "Jin-Ling’s Two Left".
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22 Responses to Playing with light – 2017 Week 27

  1. lensandpensbysally says:
    July 2, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    Helen, well done, enjoyed each for their own character.

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  2. almeidadepaulo says:
    July 2, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    Beautiful pics Helen!!!

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  3. Otto von Münchow says:
    July 2, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    I hope you enjoy the book recommendations. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. loisajay says:
    July 2, 2017 at 6:39 pm

    Helen–I have always loved your photographs. They look so well-thought-out–like you really stopped and considered what you wanted to show us. But these photos are way beyond that. The last two photos are beautiful. I think I especially love the radish. It transcends a little salad garnish!

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    • Helen C says:
      July 3, 2017 at 12:23 am

      Lois, your words warm me, as always. Because of you, I see a beautiful world. Thank you, my friend.
      My neighbor game me some radishes from their garden. I was so excited because they are so pretty to look at. Of course, I loved eating them, too. Ha.
      Thinking of you often. Please take a good care of yourself.

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  5. Mabel Kwong says:
    July 2, 2017 at 8:45 pm

    I like what you did with the flash light there, Helen. Really, really like these shots and they look very theatrical. Love the contrast with the dark background. They look very peaceful. Agree with your portraits are also about emotion too. It’s not something I’m good at, though. Well done 😊

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    • Helen C says:
      July 3, 2017 at 12:31 am

      Thanks, Mabel. I have to admit that I had a lot of fun, which I didn’t anticipate. Ha.
      One video I had watched, the speaker showed many of portraits that he took with dark background, and I really like them. I would like to try more to see if that is something I am after. 😉
      I am still thinking about colors, believe it or not. For many years, I didn’t really had a favorite color, so when people asked me, I had to make up something. Then I decided I like blue. Then maybe green. Then back to blue. Not sure if this is the final call… 😉
      Have a wonderful day.

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  6. Amy says:
    July 3, 2017 at 9:14 am

    Beautifully done! I haven’t tried to used light like you do, I do know how challenging it is. Looking forward to seeing your new and creative photo project. 🙂

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  7. Cee Neuner says:
    July 3, 2017 at 10:21 am

    Helen, these turned out wonderful for a first attempt. I would have guessed you had played more than this one night. 😀 😀

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    • Helen C says:
      July 19, 2017 at 8:05 pm

      Thanks, Cee. I don’t know why… I didn’t think I would have so much fun. I should try this long time ago!
      Hope things are going well for you. I googled “Gardens in Rochester MN” the other day, and saw an Iris garden on the list. I was so happy (and of course I thought of you.) It turned out that it was in Oregon. ;-( I don’t understand what google was thinking.
      Have a great evening.

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  8. Lady Oscar says:
    July 6, 2017 at 8:22 am

    and three weeks… then, the joy of doing-nothing becomes the daily enjoyment! Yay!

    Love the rose! The light and gesture are unique. love it. (other flowers too!)

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  9. Raj says:
    July 14, 2017 at 11:45 pm

    Second one is my favorite!

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