Today I want to share my process in setting up this still life, and how a simple change of angle gave my wabi sabi image much more impact.
I’d been watching a gazania wither and dry for over a week. As the days went by, I knew it was going to be my post for Texture Tuesday. It could qualify for Be Still 52 as well because it took some thought (but not effort), for me to visualize what I wanted to do with it.
I knew I was going to set it on an old wooden door I’d salvaged quite some time ago. I also knew the photo was going to be taken “from above”, and that I’d be using my little garden snips, and twine.
I really wanted to show you a “before” image as a mouseover, but I cannot get it to work in WordPress… grrrrrr … if WordPress doesn’t like a certain html code, it takes the liberty of stripping it from a post … major grrrrr. If anyone knows a workaround for this annoyance could you please share it with me?
Anyway, following is the image I was working on to start with, and I just did not like it … can you see what’s wrong?
This is the back of the door, and the support board was going straight across from left to right and it was really bothering me. It didn’t look crooked, but it did not look straight either.
So, I ended up tipping the whole image, and instantly, everything felt right! ahhh … don’t you agree?
I think this is a much better version… wonderful and very wabi sabi!
I processed it in LR with kk_whisper, then added a layer of kk_quiet on soft light at 50%.
The following close-up image was processed in LR with kk_gentle.
I’m loving these presets from Kim I tell ya! They add instant charm and a beautiful feel to every still life, and you just know it’s going to be perfect.
lr preset: kk_gentle
I hope you’ve enjoyed the explanation of my process!
I’ve registered for the new round of Start to Finish that begins later this month, and I’m so looking forward to it! Who else out there is taking it?
Oh, and please don’t forget to join me here tomorrow for “app” happy wednesday!
Yes…how sensitive the eye is to lines that are not quite right. The shift in angle is so pleasing. Love your wabi-sabi flower from above. Happy to hear you’re taking S2F Barb…me too. Love the last above wabi-sabi.
Lovely still life images! Great DOF and processing.
you’re good at ‘from above’ shots! love the 2nd image.
Just beautiful…by tilting it there isn’t as much tension (does that even make sense). Love the little garden snips!
Lines can be really bothering ! The second image is so much better !!
The second image is beautiful. Tipping the whole image really worked. It is those little things that can make an image go from ok to great, and you hit great. Love the color too.
Perfect. Really liking what you did here. :)
Love how you solved your problem of the lines. They can add interest and they can also distract. I agree the second one is perfect! Love the faded look of the flower!
Love your images and your set-up! Gosh that flower is wonderful. I have such trouble with lines too :) I totally love the desaturated from above shot – wow!
beautifully done! Seen on Texture Tuesday.
Love your images, the second one is definitely more pleasing to the eye, Love the wabi sabi flower, so cool :) I’m looking forward to the next round of S2F2 next week as well .
Such beautifully perfect imperfection! Love all these and hearing how you set it up…
Barb, I love these type of blog posts – when the author talks the process out loud. I so enjoy seeing and hearing your thought process, learning to see as you see. The finished photographs remind me of the last snippets of summer, almost wistful, yet so full of detail as to be abundant. The close-up of the flower bud is exquisite. Thanks also for sharing your editing process. It’s always hard for me to do this as I usually can’t remember exactly what I did!
Beautiful still life and lovely texture!
the beauty of fading flowers…captured perfectly imperfect!
oh… what a beautiful series of images Barb! I love its muted tones and the above point of view… these images are so coherent in their composition, the faded wood as backdrop and the objects you used around the flower… this is really perfect and like Caz, I love particularly the 2nd image.
I also registered for S2F2 and I’m pleased to see you soon over there…
I really love the processing on the last one. Reminds me of VSCOcam preset.
Wonderful. I really like the second photo. The flower really is the main focus. Then the rest draws my eye.
Yes, isn’t it exciting when it all comes together as you envision it?