I like how the shadow shows the holes in the carving. I took inside photos, after finding out that cloudy days do not make for good outdoor shadows. This wood carving was created by my mother. She liked dogwood blossoms and created a few carvings of them.
I attended the nice artist reception at the state fair yesterday evening. I was disappointed by not receiving any ribbons or awards. However, several things happened last night that made me feel on top of the world. I am still happy that one of my photos was accepted into the top 50 exhibit. I feel honored to have my photo to be included among the artwork of 49 other artists. I was surprised by the number of artists (including photographers) that I knew and the number that knew me. I was happy that the reception attendees thought my photos were good and/or pretty. The big highlight of the evening came when the director of the center for visual and performing arts spoke with me. She said that she has been following my photography for three years and that I have gained a lot of skill in that time period. I cannot decscribe how good her praise made me feel (and to find out that she is following my photography).
Congratulations Daisy! I agree with the director. Your photography has been steadily improving while you have been faithfully posting and taking pictures. What I'd suggest now is that you fine tune your eye for composition. I think that learning how to make a picture more dynamic through composition will bring you up to the next level of skill. That's just my two cents worth from a former Fine Arts major's pov. I think you have really learned a lot about light, color vs. black and white (i.e. tonal qualities), and texture. You also choose from a wide range of subject matter and your interest in the things you shoot shows through those choices. So for example on this shot, getting even closer to show us the details in the carving may have shone off the artistry a little bit more and given us a greater appreciation for the skilled hand that created it. (Of course when you get into composition and interpretation of it as such, it is on the subjective side, so please take this as my opinion and feel free to agree or disagree with me!). Good for you! Wish I could mosey on down to the fair and see your picture hanging there! Once again congratulations on making the top 50!!
@olivetreeann Thank you for your wonderful and well thought out comments. I am trying to work on composition in my other photos. I am struggling with finding good light and shadows subjects that would look good in BW. That is why my composition is not the best on them. However, that is why I selected to do the BW fortnight challenge. I knew it would stretch me to do BW and then perhaps take pictures of subjects that I do not usuaully shoot. It is a bumpy road, but I will continue to work on improving (and at the same time have fun with photography).
@golder365mjsmith Thank you. It was a really nice reception. The only bad part was that the air conditioning was not working. It was really hot and steamy.
@paulaw Thanks! My mother was a very talented and diverse amateur artist. She has Alzheimer's now. Once in a great while, she draws something--usually a design. Then, she wonders why she created this. I still marvel at what she can do in the area of art.
