Another version

I like this shell better, especially since the spiral nature of the shell echoes the round form of the magnifying glass. I'm now beginning to use a stepladder — crossing the line from easy-peasy shots to photos requiring (gasp!) a bit more work. Shallow depth of field reigns by my using f/1.8 on a 50mm macro lens. I sliced open a finger on my left hand the other day in a horrible kitchen "malfunction." Luckily I can click the shutter with my right . . . ©Carol Leigh

An old-fashioned look

I'm trying something a bit different for me, and it's not yet coming together, but I'll continue onward from this point. I've always liked this magnifying glass -- once belonging to Chris's father -- and the old books have a great look and feel. To me it bespeaks a slower, more contemplative time. To enhance that feeling, I used an aperture of f/1.8 on a 50mm lens and then toned down the colors in Photoshop. ©Carol Leigh

Mirror, mirror on the wall

While in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico last year I photographed this ornate mirror as it reflected the flowers in the room behind me. I took so many photographs while there that processing them is going to take a long time. Which is not a complaint! ©Carol Leigh

Orzo with pesto, chicken, feta . . .

In my next online class (beginning in July), one of the segments is on food photography, so I've been practicing! Orzo with some pesto, chicken, crumbled feta cheese and a plethora of cherry tomatoes makes a good shot and a great meal! I used a 50mm lens at f/1.8 for minimum depth of field and overexposed by 2/3 stop for a lighter feel. ©Carol Leigh

The Art of Seeing - 090503

This morning I visited a beach just south of us, one I've never been to, figuring it was just big and flat and boring. Well, it pretty much was exactly that! But I found a few things to shoot, including the tree-framed pathway leading down to the sand. The next photo, with no sense of scale, looks like huge, rocky cliffs, but in reality is part of a big log that washed ashore, as you can see in the second photo. The next photo could be a macro photo of the scales on a butterfly's wing, but is actually wood grain in yet another washed-ashore log. There's always something to see, something to photograph, when we really begin looking. My lens du jour? A 28-135 IS with a polarizing filter on a Canon 50D body.

A walk around the block . . .

As I walked past her house I asked my neighbor if I could photograph the detail on her fountain. Overcast lighting and texture and a lovely face all came together well. And not a clock in sight. ©Carol Leigh

Clockmania!

There's a theory that if you think you're crazy, you probably aren't. Draw your own conclusions. I'll wait. I've got time. ©Carol Leigh