Saturday, April 01, 2006

On the Sidewalk

28 Comments:

Blogger micki said...

So, I bought these glasses at Wal-Mart for 67 cents each. (I got a blue tinted one as well.) No one is allowed to use them, they’re for my photography, and they’ll just get broken. I don’t even keep them in the kitchen.

Anyway, I bought these glasses to shoot some ice water photos I wanted to experiment with--testing out the meters on my cameras using the gray cards, some macro shots, that kind of work. A week after I buy these, we’re heading out to music lessons for the oldest two, and I’m loading up all my gear into the van. One of the things I load up is a small telephone stand. I’m getting the look from the girls, “Why are you putting a table in the van? What are you going to do with that?” “Oh just wait and see,” I reply with one of my grins that makes them worry. After I drop the two oldest off, we head down to the square. I park the van in a lot next to a restaurant and take some photos of this and that. I’ve got the youngest three happily eating ice cream in the van. It was a little cool and breezy that afternoon. As they finish up with their treat/bribe, I set up my table on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. Then I go back to the van and slice the fruit, pour the water, and set up the shot. Then it’s me, my table of fruit and water, and my camera on a tripod. Oh, if my oldest two had been there to see that, they would’ve been hiding under the seats of the van. I was right in the middle of the sidewalk and driveway of the restaurant. I’m getting bolder as each week passes. So, here’s the best of the three I shot. I experimented with two dof; I preferred this one. Btw, the nectarine was delicious, and it was on sale! Food that’s good and cheap, can you beat that?

Have a good weekend, all. I think I might put another guessing game up tomorrow. I’ve got one more old one from a shot I took last year. I shot a couple of new ones this week. Should have those prints back by the weekend.

Minolta Maxxum 7000 Kodak Ultra Color ISO 400 1/500 f-16 Aperture Mode Minolta 28-85mm zoom lens

8:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great southern feel. You have everything for the south here. Great sharpness and really nice colors as well.

8:37 AM  
Blogger Monterey John said...

Micki, that is marvelous. Simplicity, color, composition... it has it all.

Now, would you please arrange for it to stop raining out here?

Hey, I might be shooting some great mudslides out here pretty soon. Or how about some humungoid brush fires this summer from all this new undergrowth on the hills?

Seriously, just a lovely shot, that would make a neat painting

9:17 AM  
Blogger Ali said...

The story of this shot is very interesting. I would not dare do that. Very good composition though.

9:23 AM  
Blogger Wolf said...

Hearing how this photo came about makes it much more interesting! A nice composition with great lighting!
Well done!

9:29 AM  
Blogger frame of mind said...

Dedication to the art, demonstrated by your documentary :-) This shot has a nice airiness to it, plus the subject matter looks so crisp and refreshing!

9:54 AM  
Blogger Sandy said...

Nice shot Micki. Makes you want to sit down and enjoy some fruit.

11:56 AM  
Blogger Nicola said...

Hmmm, looks very inviting!

12:05 PM  
Blogger Nicola said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

12:06 PM  
Blogger Rich said...

First there is the question of just what sort of looks you get when you embark on these adventures ? Then there is the question of whether there is a country on the planet that does not supply these glasses ?..do you think there is one factory that supplies that planet...Ikea sell them here...do you have Ikea in the States ? And finally there is the question of where do you get all your inspiration from ?

12:53 PM  
Blogger The Alchemist said...

A great shot - looks all so natural - I cant believe this shot was set up with such precision.

A bold move to take all the props and set up on the sidewalk, but it really paid off!

AD

2:28 PM  
Blogger tony.unwin said...

cool pic.... have a great weekend...

3:42 PM  
Blogger Jill said...

I just love this! Simple and PERFECT. Nice job.

6:11 PM  
Blogger Ash said...

Interesting!

7:32 PM  
Blogger Laurie said...

Nice story. My kids give me the "look" too.

The shot is great. It looks very tasty too. Refreshing.

8:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Seems like an odd meal, until I read your description. I like water too :) later on.

9:06 PM  
Blogger Marc said...

It is a nice set up and shot with excellent lighting. I've always been fairly bold with my photo excursions. If the kids aren't rolling their eyes, then I know I'm not doing it right. How else are you supposed to learn something new if you don't try?

9:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

yup, ice cream is guranteed to buy some time and then the mess it leaves is always a good summer time capture, like the blue tint on the glasses

10:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Icy cool water looks so clear. Nice shot!!

11:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A beautiful, spring setting...bring it on!

11:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Its great to hear that I'm not the only one ;-) A great shot and its good to hear how it came about.

3:49 AM  
Blogger Patty said...

Lovely photo. And what a story behind it! Reminds me of all the times I used to be embarrassed of my mom for recycling things & picking up other people's trash. Now, I've grown used to it & know that she's so awesome for caring about our environment that much. I think what you did is funny & daring & something I'd probably never do, but wow, what an idea! Very inspiring.

5:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very bold indeed! I'm too shy to even take pictures of strangers still (unless they're not looking) let alone set up in front of a restaurant. By the way, partly inspired by your refusal of digital, (and since I finally got a scanner to scan my 35mm photos with), I'm going to start posting more old-fashioned photos (like the last one you commented on). Thanks for coming by!

6:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love the story behind the photo; you are a very brave man!

6:12 AM  
Blogger DiaKL said...

mmmm this is so nice, I could use it as my breakfast right now;)
Loved the story, you are one dedicated photographer! :)

6:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cool shot, I really like the composition, and it loks like an inviting meal too!

6:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

gorgeous still life! the detail, light, and composition are just right. beauty doesn't have to be expensive!

2:38 AM  
Blogger Julian said...

This table setting is very well shot. The use of light was perfect. Is that yellow squash with peaches?

6:03 PM  

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