Friday, May 11, 2018

Bringing Back Joy

Many of you know that I broke my ankle a few weeks ago. Though I can get around with my cast, I can't really walk on uneven ground or get down on the ground to make photos. With Spring flowers popping up all over my yard, it's been difficult not to be able to do any shooting.

This morning I hobbled outside and cut a gorgeous Tulip I had been admiring from the window. I placed it in a small vase and set up a mini studio on a table in my living room. I used my Plamp attached to a tripod to hold a background in place, and the natural light from the large windows in the room worked beautifully. I also used a reflector to bounce some light under the flower as needed. I pulled a up chair and shot the Tulip with several different lenses and backgrounds, as well as my iPhone. I worked my subject with over 250 photos!

Here is a shot of my set up:



I shot with my Lensbaby Velvet 85, Composer Pro 2 and Sweet 80, 35 and 50 optics, experimenting with my compositions and backgrounds. Here are a few samples:







I also used my Lensbaby Mobile kit, shooting with both the LM-10 for max blur, and the LM-20 for more in focus:



Being able to make photos again brought me great joy, I'm so happy to have found a way to do it!

Happy Shooting,
Kathleen










36 comments:

  1. All of these images are gorgeous and brought me such joy. Thanks Kathleen.

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    1. Amen! Absolutely Gorgeous! I pray for a quick and total recovery. A little selfish too because we can't be deprived of your beautiful work of art. Breath taking

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  2. Your beautiful art inspires me so much! Gorgeous photos. Thank you, Kathleen.

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  3. I was so glad to see this post. Due to multiple leg injuries sustained in an automobile accident 20 years ago, I can no longer squat down, lay down or sit on the ground, so I have to bend over at the waist to get low shots. Hoping to set up a little indoor studio and see what I can come up with. I'll have to be a little creative...

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  4. Stunning as always - one of the best things I have learned from you is printing the textures and mounting them on polyboard : totally loving shooting with them ! Thanks for your generosity and fabulous imagery.

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  5. So glad that your creative energies are allowing you to capture incredible beauty once again. You’re almost good as new!

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  6. So happy that you could capture this lovely flower. I am sure it helped re charge your creative batteries. Your set up reminds me of how I work at home. I hope you are out and about into the spring flowers soon.

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  7. hope the ankle is healing well ... lovely images of a gorgeous tulip and loved seeing your set-up too - made me feel mine wasn't 'alone' in it's make-up.

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  8. So glad for you Kathleen that your creativity found a way to shoot again!!
    Beautiful! Hope you will soon be delivered from this cast and your ankle will heal soon!!

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  9. The tulip looks so beautiful and painterly in all your images. Wishing you a speedy recovery with your ankle😊

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  10. Inspiring! I think I'll go cut a tulip (if they are still around) and give your set up a try. I hope I get close to what you can do. Thank you for sharing.

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  11. Hope you are on the mend very soon. Your pain is our gain, without your accident you may not have produced these gorgeous images in your studio.

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  12. I am ever blown away by your artistry! These photos leave me breathless! I’m so sorry you’re dealing with such adversity and hope you’ll soon be able to be comfortable enjoying your flowers once again. Thank you for sharing your gift!

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  13. Happy healing, Kathleen. I so enjoyed seeing these gorgeous tulip images! We live pretty close to the tulip fields in Skagit County, WA, but we didn't go this year. I hope you keep finding your joy!

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  14. Delighted to enjoy your sharing of the beautiful tulip. Abundant Blessings on your return to good health with two strong feet on photographic ground. Thank you for all you teach and share

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  15. Gorgeous photos Kathleen. I've been following you on Instagram and love your photos!

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  16. Just goes to show you that nothing can keep us from making beautiful images. I love what you did here - thank you for the inspiration. I pray you will heal quickly and soon be back out there shooting.

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  17. beautiful! can you tell me where you get the paper you are using as a background for your tulip, did you just print it or purchase it somewhere, thank you so much for sharing all your inspiration and words of wisdom!

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