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

Day 151 — Add a Clove of Garlic

When I look at this all I can think of is popping off its crisp outer sheath to reveal the silky smooth flesh of garlic beneath. This photo takes liberties with so much black space, but it grants us time to allow our eye to take the journey to the very tip of the clove.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/100, f5.6, ISO 1600, 200mm

Day 150 — Mask

Masks have appeared on Days 43, 57, 62 and 127. They all have their distinct personalities.

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

Day 149 — Lemons Aerial View

These still lifes are really concerned with capturing the capacity of light to ignite a subject and control and direct the viewer's attention. I took the time to angle (stage) the lemons in a similar direction which I normally never do.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/400, f10, ISO 100, 32mm

Day 148 — Blow Out!

Another flower at the end of it's life. This time, a tulip.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/400, f5.6, ISO 100, 200mm

Day 147 — End of a Run

It's the last bloom left on the phalaenopsis, and it actually began to wilt just hours after this photograph. Such a long, weary branch sustaining tenuous life. Notice that the tips of the horn-like tendrils at the bottom of the flower have darkened, signaling its imminent collapse.

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

Day 146 — Simplest of Things

The richness of tone alone in this shot get's me really excited.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/160, f5.6, ISO 100 

Day 155 — Tentacles

Today I snapped the beets' shadow by holding them above the table with one hand and the camera in the other. Enough playing around; time to cook those suckers! See yesterday's blog for the recipe.

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

Day 144 — Beet Salad

We passed the farmer's market in Civic Center but I just couldn't pass up a bunch of eight medium sized beets for $1. This blog post comes with my best beet recipe. Boil beets for 15 minutes or so dependent upon size. Cool, peel and slice. Marinate them in the fridge in lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and chopped mint. You're welcome!

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/2000, f1.4, ISO 100

Day 143 — Less Than Half Nelson

Sundial? I rose early this morning and captured some extreme morning light on the wall clock. I took a few pictures further back but this one is more attractive due to a greater abstraction of the subject matter. The crazy exposure settings are the result of forgetting that I set the ISO the day before to 2000 and forgot to change it back, however I liked the resulting coarseness of the image; I doubt I'll reshoot it.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/320, f8, ISO 2000, 36mm

Day 142 — Peony Performs

Now that the drama of the long wait is over and the peonies have opened, I could swear it's sticking its tongue out at me!

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/125, f7.1, ISO 100 +closeup filter

Day 141 — Peony Summit

Still waiting for the peonies to open.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/200, f5, ISO 100, 70mm

Day 140 — Melange

Another image that might be confusing at first glance. The lower rectangle is a photo I took at Ocean Beach, the domed lid overlapping the print is the BBQ and the balcony railing. The blob above are the pots and pans hanging in the kitchen.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/100, f4, ISO 100, 29mm

Day 139 — Peony

This peony looks like it's about to blow. What a tight bundle of petals. Stay tuned!

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/125, f5.6, ISO 100, 200mm

Day 138 — Floorscape

 Floorscapes have appeared on Days 8, 15, 27, 38, 50, 63 and 88.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/100, f5, ISO 200, 70mm

Day 137 — Vase of Daffodils Past

Just when you thought I was done with dead daffodils, here they are again; a full vase of them!

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/13, f4.2, ISO 100, 36mm

Day 136 — Looking Out

Just to shake things up on here I occasionally will sneak in a photo taken from the balcony — it still constitutes a 25' radius. It was the crushing swathe of foreboding sky that inspired this composition. You can see the cranes of the Oakland docks across the Bay.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/800, f9, ISO 100, 18mm

Day 135 — Phalaenopsis Arc

The sun is streaming through the back door from the left. I love the geometrics juxtaposed with the organic arc of the phalaenopsis. The left half of the photo is the open, red back door and the right side is the inside wall.

Nikon D80 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/60, f4, ISO 200

Day 134 — Potted Miro

The shadow from the potted plant yields a veritable Miro of organic forms.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/200, f7.1, ISO 100, 29mm

Day 133 — Afghan Man

After a lot of drinking and fooling around our guests were finally getting ready to leave. At the last moment Ron grabbed Ife's scarf and wrapped it around his head. SNAP. Slow shutter speed, long lens, high ISO and hand held all build to create the soft focus, dreamy effect you see here.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/50, f5.6, ISO 2500, 200mm

Day 132 — The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of

Living in San Francisco, The Maltese Falcon is even more iconic in stature. After having seen the Bogart movie several times I researched the web and found the best looking copy I could find of the infamous statue. I think I might experiment with lighting and try to recreate a more noir vibe. The 'bird' will definitely pop up again sometime soon.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/125, f5.6, ISO 500, 105mm

Day 131 — Composition with Dracaena

Our dracaena is very tall (15 years old), so its narrow trunk extends across a lot of territory. I saw fit to document that today.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/160, f6.3, ISO 500, 46mm

Day 130 — Backlit Lily

I liked the converging diagonals as the sun perfectly back lights the lily.

Nikon D80 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/1000, f5.6, ISO 125, 135mm

Day 129 — Kale Landscape

A closeup lens creates an unusual landscape from a leaf of kale and amplifies the extremely shallow depth of field (f1.4).

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/160, f1.4, ISO 100

Day 128 — Colima Shadows

You'll remember the Colima dog figure from Days 33 and 119. I'm not totally sure how this shadow was even created. The setting sun first bounces off the adjacent apartment windows, then must bounce around the room a bit. regardless, the translucency of the resulting shadow was too intriguing not to capture.

Nikon D80 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/40, f4.2, ISO 200, 34mm

Day 127 — Smiling

Another African mask. I love the characters that these simple wood carvings elicit. Again, this is just placed on the floor at the right time of twilight to generate just the right light to give life to the carving.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200) 1/30, f3.8, ISO 320, 27mm

Day 126 — Almost Awake

This is what I woke up to. The edge of my partner's pillow. I stared at it for so long that when I finally got up, I felt I should take a photo of it. Using an f stop of 1.4 added a dreamlike quality to it.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/100, f1.4, ISO 1000

Day 125 — Cinco de Mayo

Make some salsa with succulent heirloom tomatoes.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/80, f5, ISO 500, 82mm

Day 124 — 3 Cups

All one needs is long morning light, bone china cups and shadows. I believe that objects in in these still lives can sometimes tell stories of relationships between people.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/320, f9, ISO 200, 90mm

Day 123 — Daffodils Aerial View

By shooting from above the vase and other elements are out of focus creating a unique still life from a simple setting.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 50mm, 1.4) 1/60, f8, ISO 1250

Day 122 — Hodgepodge

We have a large framed Michal Venera photo in the living room and when the light is right I can get great reflections from the other side of the room to appear over his print of a tree in Paris. Lower left, our little African man, who appeared on Day 98, can be seen overseeing our bicycles.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/25, f4.5, ISO 2500, 44mm

Day 121 — Little Sprout

A crazy little mushroom sprouted in one of the houseplants.

Nikon D7000 (Nikkor 18-200mm) 1/500, f6.3, ISO 200, 200mm