I have discovered that one of the things I like best about photography is taking a photograph and making it something different.
I balk at calling what I do 'art' because I really don't believe I have earned the right to call myself an artist. A 'creative exercise' feels much more comfortable.
Here is today's creative exercise.
Last spring, I took this photograph of an anemone. When I look at it, I think of white linen and pearls.
A couple of years ago, a meme appeared on my Facebook feed asking what I would buy if someone gave me $50. Books, of course! I have to modify that response now. Extra $50? Books and photo editing software!
Today, I purchased Topaz Lab's Glow 2. (It was on sale!) I had to take my new toy out for a spin. I rotated the photograph, cropped it a bit, and reduced the exposure of the background to get rid of distractions. Then it was time to release the lovely anemone's inner wild child!
Still lovely, in my opinion, but now with just a bit of attitude!
'Electric Anemone'
Last week, the moon was gloriously full. I arrived home late one evening to find bright moonlight streaming in through the large glass panel in the back door, creating a long, sharply etched pool of light on the tile floor.
Capturing the effect would be a wonderful opportunity for me to practice night photography techniques. I crossed my fingers, hoping the next night would be clear, and began thinking through 'the shoot'.
Initially, I thought to only shoot the moonlight on the tile. Simple, dramatic.
Dramatic, yes, but maybe too simple. The composition needed something. As sunset approached, I gathered white nicotiana from my garden and placed them in a clear glass vase.
Backlit by the moonlight, the petals of the nicotiana glowed. The stretched and slightly smudged shadow cast by the flowers provided an interesting contrast to the straight lines on the floor.
