Tag: #abstract

Spinning Flowers

I nudged myself to get out in the backyard and experiment with some flower photography today. Summer 2020 should be the summer of experimentation, right? I played with long exposures and spinning the camera while pressing the shutter. My favorite image was this one of my hydrangea plant that preserved the outlines of the leaves.

#hydrangea, #experiment, #creative, #july #flowers, #flowerphotography, #nature, #outdoorphotography, #abstract, #spin
Hydrangea blossoms in pink and blue appear slightly abstract in this spinning image, nicely framed by a wreath of vibrant leaves. © Catherine Kelly

If you want to try this method, you need to set the camera to manual and dial in a long exposure like a third of a second. To achieve a correct exposure, you will need to stop down the lens (to perhaps f/11 or f/16), and set a low ISO (such as 100). The settings will vary for you based on the available light. Focusing is still important. Once you have achieved a good exposure with shutter speed, aperture and ISO, it’s time to play.

Cathy’s Spring Scarf Designs

I design it. You shop for it. How easy is that?

The vibrant colors of spring flowers inspired me to create these fresh new designs, and artisans at VIDA are making them into 35″ square silk scarves. Place your order online at

shopvida.com and search “Catherine Kelly”

#pinkandgreen, #abstract, #design, #mosaic, #murano, #photography, #inspired, #VIDA, #shopvida
Murano mosaic, my new silk scarf design.

 

#pink, #flowers, #nature, #scarf, #VIDA, #@shopVIDA, #twirl, #spiral, #design
The Courtney scarf is colorful with a more photographic approach.

I’m looking forward to seeing which design is more popular. I need one of each!

Abstract colors of sunset

I continue to experiment with ICM (Intentional Camera Movement). A good subject is one with strong contrast and strong vertical, horizontal or circular lines — any lines that can be accentuated with camera movement. Last time, I used a vertical subject, trees reflected in a pond, and this time I used the strong colors of sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.

I like the peace and serenity of the selective blur. I also find myself studying longer the colors and lines and the blend of hues. Here you can compare the the ICM image with the still photo. Do you find the ICM image more moody? Which image do you prefer to look at longer?

I did minimal processing to the ICM image: just some tweaking of the contrast, clarity, vibrance and highlights and some spot removal. The streaking effect was achieved by moving the camera during a .6 second exposure. To lengthen the exposure, I lowered the ISO to 100 and closed the aperture down to f/22.

Experimenting rewards my desire to create, because every image is different. Will I find a market for this genre?

#sunset, #decorating, #design, #abstract, orange, #blue,, #florida, #art
Sunset over the Gulf becomes abstract with Intentional Camera Movement

 

#sunset, #florida, #Gulf, #naples, #longexposure, #blue, #orange
Same image of Gulf sunset as long exposure, no movement. Very different effect.