Thursday, December 18, 2014

EGGS IN A GLASS JAR




Photography became a real interest to to me when I began blogging in 2008. I started with a point and shoot camera that my eastern daughter gave me for Christmas. From that little camera I became hooked on photography. I started devouring books on photography and watching online photography videos. This eventually led me to buying a new Rebel T3i camera that required me to practice  the tricks of using it. Then my son gave me a Nikkon Coolpix that is smaller than my Rebel but is great when it comes to capturing subjects -- good for on the go use. 

Anything goes when I am shooting. As an example, I took the above photo of farm eggs a few days ago. My son had put the above eggs in Kerr canning jars as they took up little space on the fridge shelf. When I saw them sitting in the fridge I brought them out to a window ledge where they reflected the sunlight. To me they looked rather funky in the jars. I snapped their photos about 20 times before I got the one and only that I liked.

I have found that photography is about your eye and your feelings as well as the mechanics of using your camera. I don't pretend that I will ever be a famous photographer Why would I do that --  when I am having so much fun just playing with my cameras.

30 comments:

  1. Interesting post because I was just going to comment on how much I love this photo. The subject matter is part of it; we use canning jars for almost everything in the kitchen, and go though at least a dozen eggs a day. I'm surprised we have never put eggs in canning jars (although I'm sure leftover egg salad would get stored here). But from a pure photography standpoint I also really love this. I love the softly muted warm and cool tones and the variety of textures, the unexpectedness of the subject matter, the rural yet hipster feel. It's just a cool photo!

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    1. Melissa -- When I saw the eggs in the jars on the fridge shelf I knew I had to take a photo of them. I don't like to pose photos but the fridge just didn't have the right lighting and the window sill had beautiful sunshine. I then found out how difficult it is to photograph both sunshine and glass together -- at least for me. This photo was good practice. Your family sounds like they are lovers of eggs. -- good for you. I sure appreciate your standpoint of my photo -- especially coming from someone I feel is a professional. thanks -- barbara

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  2. Yes Barbara...to all that you said. Learning is how we stay intellectually nimble, as we become the wise elders for the world. I'm assuming you want to do that! And digital cameras do require us to use lots of our potential. You've definitely come to a good place with this arrangement and subject. And the subtle colors between glass reflections of jars and window are just right for the matt finish of the tan eggs.

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    1. Barbara -- You assume right -- I like being mentally active -- feels good. Better than housework. And yes, we are the wise elders of the world and I feel I have membership in that club as you do also. The most difficult thing in taking photographs for me is getting the right settings as each photo has it's own reflection back into the camera's eye as well as my eye. Integration of the two can be difficult sometimes.Thanks for the nice comment -- barbara.

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  3. I love your photos, as you already know, and I think a windowsill for posing is fun, too.

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    1. Joanne -- You have always been so kind in your comments about my photos. And, I appreciate that. I agree that windowsills are nice for photos be it a sunny day or an overcast day. thanks -- barbara

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  4. I agree with you. I love playing with my camera. I just try to capture what interests me and sometimes it resonates with others. I like seeing these farm eggs in canning jars :)

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    1. Michelle -- I love your rural photos -- makes me yearn for those early farmsteads with all their unique farm structures. KY is a great place to be playing with a camera. thanks -- barbara

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  5. Same here though I'm still at the point and shoot stage.....:)

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    1. Troutbirder -- I still have my point and shoot that I received for Christmas in 2008. Sometimes, as it is small, I will tuck it in my purse and take a few photos while I am out and about. Amazing the clarity one gets from them. thanks -- barbara

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  6. That's the way to go - photograph whatever interests you. I love the way that the lettering on the jars is picked out by the sunlight and the background colours.

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    1. John -- I had a tough time with the sunlight -- the photos I deleted were mostly blown out. I always admire your photos that you capture from your region. It would be nice to know what lens you use. thanks for your comment -- barbara

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  7. The eye is much more important that the mechanics. Advanced mechanics lets you extend the possibilities, but it doesn't necessarily make you a better photographer. And I love your eggs!

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    1. Visualnorway -- Nice to hear that mechanics are not as important as the eye. The mechanics of my Rebel and Nikkon have not yet been completely mastered yet but I work around that and hope for the best. I always enjoy your photographs. Thanks for your comment -- barbara

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  8. I also love it as a hobby but keep pushing my self to do better. I would love to read a critique of some of the photos you took. What may you reject some and like others? Love to see this judgement through your eyes.

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    1. Tabor, Clarity is usually what I look for. Also composition. I like to study other folk's photos online. You have some wonderful photos online. I think everyone's eye is different and that means lots of versions of the same idea. I read somewhere that, everything (and the author meant everything) around us is a worthy subject. -- thanks --barbara

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  9. I sent a post, but perhaps it went to the alternate world. I was interested in your 'eye'; the critique you sued to wean the photos that were not obviously over exposed or out of focus.

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    1. Tabor -- I have seen some overexposed and out of focus photos that were very artistic. I guess photos are deleted or saved depending on one's feeling about them. If you like your photo -- save it. If you are unsure about your photo, save it until later,then look at it again, if you just plain don't like it delete it. I guess that is my way of selecting photos.I use Lightroom . --- barbara

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  10. Your "playing" produces some wonderful pictures, both the eggs in the jars and the header photo are unique and fascinating as photos. I hope this bring you as much joy as it does those of us who see the pictures.

    I took a number of pictures with my simple point an shoot yesterday. None were very good so I spent a bit of time wishing I had a better camera, a better eye, and knew a lot-lot-lot more about photography. But then I realized I don't have the time or talent for another hobby and there are so many wonderful photos on blogs like yours, I should just enjoy them. I hope wisdom is knowing when to say no to oneself.

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    1. June, I think like you, wisdom is knowing when to say no to oneself. I think point and shoots are great. I still use mine and have captured some nice photos. Like visualnorway said above -- its not the mechanics of the camera that is important -- it's your eye. You have put some wonderful photos on your posts. You definitely have an artistic eye as I have seen in your quilts and photos. thanks -- barbara

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  11. I thought you were a professional photographer. The quality of your photos is outstanding.

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    1. Hattie -- no I am far from it but thanks for your thoughts anyway. If anything I am a student of life. Thank you for the very nice comment Hattie -- barbara

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  12. Barbara, I LOVE this image so much...There is so much from an abstract sense going on, reflections, light, color, compostion, form!! I am happy that you share your enjoyment here, your photos & commentary bring me much pleasure.

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    1. Rita -- Thanks for the nice comment. We bring along so much baggage as we go through life -- I am finding that quality of working space can release some of this baggage. Photography as well as any creative work such as yours incorporates space to see things differently. -- barbara

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  13. I always enjoy the mix of photo/tale you plate for us. Your images are proof that an individuals view of the world around them are mirror images of the world within. I love this photo using light and fresh simplicity.

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    1. Raining Iguanas -- Thank you for your kind words. Part of my world is visiting other blogs. Most blogs I visit are fresh and real. We all learn from each other -- barbara

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  14. You do a wonder of a job not being a proffessional photographer. I too love to see things to snap a photo of. It's an art eye you have. Merry Christmas!

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    1. A new year is just around the corner. Lots of photo opportunities for both of us. I think that being active is what life is all about -- have a great 2015 year. -- barbara

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  15. Hi Barbara. You do a great job with your photography. Love the eggs! they look like the ones I have in my fridge that my cousin gave me a few days ago.

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    1. Janet -- Nice to have relatives nearby that can give you fresh chicken eggs -- I bet they taste so good. I am not a big egg eater but when I do eat them I like them to taste fresh. I buy mine fairly fresh as they come direct to my little organic store from the farmer. Happy New Year! -- barbara

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