Day 181 — Writer

Back on Day 164 I announced that I had discovered a stream of natural light in the afternoon which  shone a narrow beam downstairs. Rather than plonk a plant into it I found a human subject. He had a habit of crossing his legs in this fashion and it helped the composition by bouncing more light up to his face.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/125, f5.6, ISO 100

Day 180 — Face

We have masks decorating our walls but you rarely get an opportunity to see them in profile. This female mask has a wonderful articulated jaw, and when open, displays a proud set of raffia teeth.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/500, f11, ISO 100

Day 179 — Brain

I introduced this plant on Day 156. It has had a Spring growth spurt and brain like extrusions are appearing on the top of this special succulent.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/13, f6.3, ISO 100, + closeup filter

Day 178 — Truncated lily

A truncated view of a lily in a pottery vase flanked by a bold shadow.

Nikon D80 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/1000, f5.3, ISO 125, 95mm

Day 177 — DOMA Down

Although the cup on the left was made in the USA and the one on the right was made in Germany, these two cups are not so dissimilar; they both hold coffee or tea and they both give pleasure. Today they make a perfect set.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/200, f7.1, ISO 100

Day 176 — High Hopes

I have high hopes for this little basil plant I picked up last week. I can feel our current humid weather fattening it up. Here it sits in a light drizzle falling upon the balcony.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/80, f2.8, ISO 100

Day 175 — Into the Shadows

Sometimes the shadows on the floor make for an interesting overlay to different objects such as this mask, providing some added mystery and drama.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18–200mm) 1/1000, f6.3, ISO 100, 26mm

Day 174 - Masks Asleep

These two masks normally hang on the wall above our bed. When I saw the tussled sheets I thought of a photo but it needed another element, so I put the masks on the pillows.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18–200mm) 1/100, f3.5, ISO 100, 18mm

Day 173 — Nayarit Figure

This is a profile of a fragment of pre-Columbian pottery. He's squinting because I have him facing directly into the sun. The stylized eyes — a small ball of clay with an impressed horizontal line through it — are aptly referred to as coffee bean eyes.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/1600, f5.6, ISO 100

Day 172 — Empty Room

Can a room ever really be empty when it's filled with shadows and light?

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/650, f4, ISO 200, 26mm

Day 171 — Constructivist Floorscape IV

Final in this series of four.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/60, f5, ISO 500, 75mm

Day170 — Constructivist Floorscape III

Part III in the series.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/125, f5.6, ISO 200, 29mm

Day 169 — Constructivist Floorscape II

 Part II in the series.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/150, f5.3, ISO 500, 120mm

Day 168 — Constructivist Floorscape I

The first of four Floorscapes inspired by Constuctivist art of the early 20s.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/100, f5, ISO 200, 44mm

Day 167 — Two Vases

I photograph inanimate objects often and perceive them as individuals expressing their relationship to one another. Another reason for shooting this was the opportunity to shoot black vases on a grey background.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/250, f8, ISO 100, 50mm

Day 166 — Priapic Plant

I am fond of succulents. This fleshy aloe-like plant has a kind of razored edge and goes by the name of Gasteria Pulchra

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/200, f4.5, ISO 100

Day 165 — Versace Tea Cup

Versace designed dinner ware in his over-the-top Rococo style. This tea cup has a gold wing for a handle. I placed it in this plunging crevasse of shadows to exaggerate all the curves in this image.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/400, f5, ISO 1000, 65mm

Day 164 — Shaft of Light

I've just discovered a new shaft of afternoon light that comes in through the open back door and shines directly through the stairs into the lower floor. I just plonked a plant on the floor in the middle of it, but I thought I might return to it today with a reflector and see how I might be able to redirect the light around the room.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/320, f8, ISO 100, 80mm

Day 163 — K.I.S.S.

Keep it simple stupid! Photos removed of all clutter help us focus on what's important. What was important for me in this photograph was capturing the lascivious tongue-like curl of the leaf.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/125, f1.4, ISO 100, + 2x closeup filter

Day 162 — Floorscape Rothko

When thinking up titles for photos I often use art references, however it has just occurred to me that I may have taken this shot with that Rothko reference unconsciously in mind. Have I been prompted all these years to pick up the camera and snap through recognizing shape, color and tone from decades of exposure to fine art and photography? Is it this that makes a shadow on the ground mesmerizing to me? I'm beginning to think it is! I know that, quite consciously, I'll see a potential shot that resembles a Paul Strand composition, for example, and try to recapture it, but now I think I am am acting more abstractly, breaking images down to basic shapes etc. I suppose when I title a Floorscape as Les Demoiselle D'Avignon we'll have the answer.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/50, f3.8, ISO 1250, 22mm

Day 161 — Samoan Kava Bowl (Inverted)

A clearer view of the underside of the kava bowl which featured on Day 160.  17 little round feet.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/800, f8, ISO 200, 34mm

Day 160 — Samoan Kava Bowl

This is a detail of a kava bowl used in the preparation of a beverage made from the roots of the kava plant, a member of the pepper family — the kava roots are crushed into a powder-like form and mixed with water in the bowl; kava, or 'ava in Samoa, can be served informally (it has a relatively mild narcotic effect), although its most important use is at chiefly meetings and ceremonies and it has also long been a part of religious, political and cultural life throughout the Pacific — it is known as 'awa in Hawaii and yaqona in Fiji.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/800, f8, ISO 200, 60mm

Day 159 — Slim

A narrow vase of tulips soaks up slim, slivers of light.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/160, f603, ISO 100, 56mm

Day 158 — Winged Victory

Stumped for an image for today, I ventured into the bathroom and found a dead flower in a vase. This is the reflection of the flower and vase on the glass coffee table. I rotated the image 180º just to add another level of encryption and mystique.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/400, f5.6, ISO 200, 135mm

Day 157 — Phalaenopsis Photo Bomb!

It tickles me how the phalaenopsis appears to be sneaking into the frame; all plump and cheery.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/320, f8, ISO 100, 170mm

Day 156 — Euphorbia Lactea Muong Siam

I don't think I have introduced you to my Euphorbia Lactea Muong Siam. It looks like it just arrived from outer space.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 500mm, 1.4) 1/180, 9.5, ISO 1000, + Close Up Filter

Day 155 — Floorscape from One Floor Above

I remember purchasing this dracaena from Costco fourteen years ago when it was only four feet tall. It has more than doubled in height. I am constantly turning the pot so that it grows erect and not arched toward the window.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/160, f5.6, ISO 500, 35mm

Day 154 —In fact, it's Day 158 Someone Call 911

I can imagine your response... "Heavens to Mergatroyd!; there's a four day break in this daily blog and you return with a floorscape so soon after posting one only two days previous on Day 152!" Trust me, there is a a very good reason for this because it was my interminable association with the floor itself that resulted in my four-day hospital stay and absence from blogging. I had stumbled due to an ischemic stroke—lack of bloodflow to the little grey cells—due to blocked carotid arteries. My left side was no longer a contibuting appendage for forward propulsion... I had become the cliché that had often provided me a private giggle—I'd fallen and I couldn't get up! Despite my protest, sanity prevailed and 911 was called and the rest is medical history. I am home now with extra pints of sobering blood circulating through my long-parched brain thanks to a well-placed stent. So I post here an image of the floor that supported me when all else failed and I shall continue to admire and praise it's inherent beauty and, of course, perfect function.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/125, f5.6, ISO 320, 27mm

Day 153 — Atlas Penned

This little guy carries my fountain pen 24/7. The curve of the planter above him resembles a heavy world to bear as well.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/320, f8, ISO 100, 70mm

Day 152 — Floorscape

This might look like a floorscape I have posted before, but I assure you it is not. Although I can accept that they may appear similar to others I have taken, they are all very unique to me. I hope one day to see a gallery, or room full of just my abstract floorscapes.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/100, f4.8, ISO 200, 62mm