I'm sort of off my high-key or low-key shot plan for the week with this offering but I've been wanting to do a still life since the book club started. One finally presented itself this morning when I noticed how lovely the light was falling across this chest of drawers in the living room. I'd bought the tulips for some black and white shots at the supermarket yesterday, thinking more in terms of a close-up, but this scene was appealing to me. When I converted it to black and white, it's vintage side really came out, so I decided to go vintage all the way and processed it in Ribbet's "True Vintage" effect with the Tri-X setting. In my 35mm days, it was my favorite black and white film.
this is fabulous! i love the high key, it works perfectly here. funny how we used to bring our old photos to make them new again and now we process our photos to make them look old and frayed. i missed out greatly on the book club challenge, may have to go it alone at some point when i get back my photo mojo.
Thanks for your explanation, I'm going to investigate this effect. I really love what you've achieved here, a timeless still life, beautifully composed. Fav
Thank you Laurie, Vikki, Sally and Carole for the favs!
For those who asked about the items featured in this shot, they are (from left to right): a brass candle holder that my mom used to display on this chest when it was in my parents' home; a picture of my dad and his siblings (Dad is on the far right with the dog); an antique wash set (water pitcher, cup for toothbrush, and drinking cup) that came from my grandmother's house (Dad's mom); modern tulips- but in a vase that came with flowers from my son Christopher; the Hamilton family Bible (the large book which has been pictured several times in my project), an antique photo album with family pictures of several generations back (on top of the Bible); and a collection of antique pictures (one is a tin-type) that are all supposed to be related to me somehow, but I have no idea who they are! The lace placemat that's on top came from my grandmother's house (mom's mom) and the chest itself also has quite a story to it which I may have told here, but just in case: Apparently this piece was not important to whomever bought it or first inherited it because it ended up in a barn on my grandparent's (Dad's side) property in Milford, Pa. which is not too far from where I live now. Years and years of neglect did not help it's appearance so when my dad brought it home (when I was in high school) my mother wasn't too pleased. In fact, she wouldn't even let Dad bring it in to the house! So he had to lug all his tools up to the garage to work on it. He stripped, sanded and re-stained the chest, took off the old knobs and put on new, and then used some sort of industrial cleanser to restore the marble top. While he was doing this, he would not allow my mom to look at the progress. She would just shake her head! She didn't believe it was salvageable. Well, needless to say, when Dad was done, the piece was gorgeous! Mom took one look at it and burst into tears, profusely apologizing for ever doubting Dad's refinishing abilities and from that point on, it was proudly displayed wherever they lived. When Mom passed away and Dad started putting some things in order, he asked me if there was anything special that I'd like I told him I wanted this chest, so after Dad's passing in 2012, it came back to PA to live with me. And that's what's in the picture!
Such wonderful keepsakes, with so many meaningful memories attached to them. A superb still-life with great personal meaning. ~ Congratulations with all of your recent success! :o ~
@summerfield Thank you Vikki! I have a house full of stories and I love every single one of them! @digitalrn Thanks Rick! I know you and I have very similar taste when it comes to old furniture! @gratefulness Thank you Sandi! @michaelelliott Thank you Michael! @allie912 Thank you Allison! @sarasdadandmom Thank you Terry! @prttblues Thank you Bev! I wouldn't be there if it wasn't for my faithful followers like you!
I like this very much indeed and hope to do some still life's soon. I watched a brilliant documentary on the history of Still Life (uk, BBC4) as I love this subject for art work. An interesting thing is that the paintings are nearly all lit from the left, so I will try that. Can't wait now I have seen yours!
@maggiemae Yes, I am convinced we are distant cousins somehow! @axika Thank you so much Alexandra! @lleo Thank you Gwenllian! That sounds like a documentary that I would have enjoyed as I have a background in art history (many years ago!!). The light in this room is ambient, but the main light source for this shot came from the right. I guess that is my inadvertent adaption of the classic still life!
Thank you to all for your lovely comments and views!
@luvmynynix @summerfield @salza @cimes1
Thank you Laurie, Vikki, Sally and Carole for the favs!
For those who asked about the items featured in this shot, they are (from left to right): a brass candle holder that my mom used to display on this chest when it was in my parents' home; a picture of my dad and his siblings (Dad is on the far right with the dog); an antique wash set (water pitcher, cup for toothbrush, and drinking cup) that came from my grandmother's house (Dad's mom); modern tulips- but in a vase that came with flowers from my son Christopher; the Hamilton family Bible (the large book which has been pictured several times in my project), an antique photo album with family pictures of several generations back (on top of the Bible); and a collection of antique pictures (one is a tin-type) that are all supposed to be related to me somehow, but I have no idea who they are! The lace placemat that's on top came from my grandmother's house (mom's mom) and the chest itself also has quite a story to it which I may have told here, but just in case: Apparently this piece was not important to whomever bought it or first inherited it because it ended up in a barn on my grandparent's (Dad's side) property in Milford, Pa. which is not too far from where I live now. Years and years of neglect did not help it's appearance so when my dad brought it home (when I was in high school) my mother wasn't too pleased. In fact, she wouldn't even let Dad bring it in to the house! So he had to lug all his tools up to the garage to work on it. He stripped, sanded and re-stained the chest, took off the old knobs and put on new, and then used some sort of industrial cleanser to restore the marble top. While he was doing this, he would not allow my mom to look at the progress. She would just shake her head! She didn't believe it was salvageable. Well, needless to say, when Dad was done, the piece was gorgeous! Mom took one look at it and burst into tears, profusely apologizing for ever doubting Dad's refinishing abilities and from that point on, it was proudly displayed wherever they lived. When Mom passed away and Dad started putting some things in order, he asked me if there was anything special that I'd like I told him I wanted this chest, so after Dad's passing in 2012, it came back to PA to live with me. And that's what's in the picture!
@digitalrn Thanks Rick! I know you and I have very similar taste when it comes to old furniture!
@gratefulness Thank you Sandi!
@michaelelliott Thank you Michael!
@allie912 Thank you Allison!
@sarasdadandmom Thank you Terry!
@prttblues Thank you Bev! I wouldn't be there if it wasn't for my faithful followers like you!
Thank you Nanci and Bev for the favs!
@axika Thank you so much Alexandra!
@lleo Thank you Gwenllian! That sounds like a documentary that I would have enjoyed as I have a background in art history (many years ago!!). The light in this room is ambient, but the main light source for this shot came from the right. I guess that is my inadvertent adaption of the classic still life!
Thank you Shawna and Vesna!