Time Pieces

“The camera should be used for a recording of life, for rendering the very substance and quintessence of the thing itself, whether it be polished steel or palpitating flesh”. Edward Weston

This one excites me!  Time is of the essence, and it keeps ticking. I had the opportunity to photograph magnificent clocks, hoping my stories inspire you to find beauty in everyday objects and explore your own photography journey.

Fascinating what people collect and treasure; sometimes it’s as simple as a stone-washed bottle or as priceless as a rare barometer. I wonder who whittled and carved.

Today I only used my 100mm Macro lens. It has its shortcomings, but the 32 aperture is a bonus, and the slow shutter speed was what I needed to capture all the light. Getting really close to the subject is important, and manual focusing is tricky but better than automatic focusing.  I set up my tripod and used a remote shutter release and, at times, the automatic 10-second timer.

Photographing in a home requires respect for the owner and the objects, fostering trust and appreciation for the space.

I’m not a commercial photographer, so I embrace the reflections, highlights, shadows and try to make the most of all the elements without disturbing the room’s ambience.   To move something is risky, and I’d hate to break or chip anything.

A friend has a menagerie with no less than 20 cats (not domesticated but not feral either).  They’re wild and wonderful; they live on her front steps. To catch them for a photograph is nearly impossible, but for a lick of milk, they’ll do almost anything.  They’re too cute to ignore!

“Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.”  Paul Strand

The difference a background makes to the same subject is fascinating.  I love a black background because it creates a moody, dramatic effect that makes colours pop. Still, I encourage you to experiment with different backgrounds to find your unique style and express yourself confidently.

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