Trying something new!

Ever so often I discover an new way to expand the creative use of raw photographs as ingredients in a complicated recipe.  A recipe for a piece of art.  All I know when I start the creative process is that the chosen photograph will feature prominently in the final  piece.

My recent discovery is textures.  I was exploring the possibility of purchasing a Holga camera or lensbaby kit to create images that looked like they were from a bygone era or shot with an old school camera.  Fortunately for me during my search I discovered textures and how they could be used to create wide and varied effects on photographs and the fun began.

I went even further by converting some of these textured images into digital paintings.  (NB): I have been down with the flu and feverish for the past few days - hence the prevalence of darkness in these pieces!  You have to look into these photos - if you just look at them you will miss everything!

A Difficult Choice

I shot and processed the original photograph in this series and was pleased with the results.  However, I decided to retouch it to appear distressed and then again to look like a watercolor painting.  Which version do you prefer?

Original

Distressed

Watercolor

Line, Symmetry, Pattern & Oddities

As an aspiring photographer I have made a conscious effort to notice the overlooked; the shapes and subtle nuances in the environment that make for interesting photographs.  This is not always an easy endeavor since what you and I find interesting in a photograph may vary immensely.

The weather has taken a break from a consistent barrage of snow, rain, wind and cold to reveal a beautiful sunny day that is greatly appreciated.  I seized the day and geared up with the intention of heading to Fort Taber in New Bedford.  Since I have been recovering from a bout of the stomach flu I thought better of a long trip and opted to shoot at Battleship Cove - a few minutes away.

While there I decided to focus on line, symmetry, pattern and oddities as the subjects for my photographs and here are the results:



Need

Is the action of nature not unlike drawing a bow?
What is higher is pulled down, and what is lower is raised up;
What is taller is shortened, and what is thinner is broadened;
Nature's motion decreases those who have more than they need
And increases those who need more than they have.

It is not so with Man.
Man decreases those who need more than they have
And increases those who have more than they need.

To give away what you do not need is to follow the Way.
So the sage gives without expectation,
Accomplishes without claiming credit,
And has no desire for ostentation.

-LaoTze-