Category Archives: Still Life

Photo-Technique, Still Life, Studio, Training

That Dead Leaf Again…

So, day three of playing with a dead leaf.

(Even a cat wouldn’t play with a leaf as long as this). Today I set up the light tent, and put the leaf in it. I lit the tent with a Rotolight Neo, and used the Fujifilm X-T30. I had three objectives:
  1. To see the effect when I used the LensBaby lens,
  2. To create shadows by bringing the Rotolight down from the top of the tent tone side of the tent. (Left, so I could hold it by hand, and use the camera in my right hand)
  3. To mount the Rotolight on the camera hotshoe.

Continue reading That Dead Leaf Again… →

Co. Down, Commercial Photography, Photo-Technique, Still Life, Training

Burning Waste for Heat

Following all the political controversy about the ‘Renewable Heat Incentive’ and the sudden proliferation of wood burners in deserted outhouses and barns, one bold company in the manufacturing industry has decided to recycle all its own waste wood shavings, by installing a furnace to provide the heat for their factory.  In the interests of investigative photo-journalism, I took a look into it, and here’s what I found…

Kiln

Continue reading Burning Waste for Heat →

Photo-Technique, Still Life, Streetscapes, Training

Fujifilm and iPhone – Syncretism.

Yes. I agree. It’s a totally uninteresting photograph. A picture captured by a camera, sitting on a newspaper in a cafe, looking at an empty chair. ‘So what?’ I hear you exclaim, as you conclude that I’ve finally lost the plot entirely.

So, why have I posted it? Because of how it was captured. The camera is switched on, untouched. On my iphone the Fujifilm app has connected by WiFi to the camera and is showing me the image being recorded on the sensor. I can adjust the camera settings, shutter, aperture, ISO etc etc.

Also, because the camera is mirrorless it can capture images silently. No noisy mirror to move out of the way. With the focus beep switched off, and the camera set to ‘Electronic shutter’ instead of the mechanical shutter, there is no sound as it does its work. (Ideal for church interiors incidentally).

So, to a casual onlooker, the photographer is simply sitting playing with his phone.

The camera is capturing the moment

Photo-Technique, Still Life, Training

Fuchsia

Fuchsia

Who doesn’t like nice flowers – apparently this one’s a Fuchsia – although to be honest, I thought it was a honeysuckle – but then, what would I know?  But I do like bokeh – the creamier the better!  This shot was made with the Fujifilm X-T2, with a 55mm lens opened up to f/2.8.  I’ve brightened up the background a bit in post capture processing, and added a border.

 

DSCF0786-4.jpeg
Fuchsia

Here’s the small print: Fujifilm X-T2. F= 55mm f/2.8 @ 1/250th sec on ISO200.

Beautiful Ulster, Co. Down, Landscapes, Still Life

The Fun Guy!

Why did the Mushroom go to the party?  Because he’s a FUNGHI!  This little toadstool is called Gus, (Because he’s really such a fun Gus!).  Gus, or Gussy as he is known to his friends, has bravely beaten the odds and grown up to daylight between two heavy railway sleepers that form steps in our garden.  Image made with the Fujifilm X-T2, with 200 mm lens.

ToadstoolUp

Sadly his party-going days are numbered, for he’ll be uprooted in case one of our grandchildren thinks he might be edible! Continue reading The Fun Guy! →

Co. Antrim, Photo-Technique, Still Life

Bushmills Advertising Project

When I was studying for my HND Photography, one of the modules was Advertising Photography.  As part of the project, we had to select a well known company and create three adverting images that could be presented to that company.  I chose the famous ‘Old Bushmills’ Irish Whisky Distillery.  I researched their existing and previous advertising campaigns, and asked them how they wanted their product to be recognised – what was their unique selling point.  One of their brand images seemed to be the age of the old distillery – It was established early in the seventeenth century.   Continue reading Bushmills Advertising Project →