Pen & Ink

Here is the brief or my Get Pushed Challenge from JackieR
'I see you have loads of Favs, all very different, so I'd like you to look through the ones you've faved this year and choose one (or more- your choice!) to replicate- BUT will give you the most challenge and learning and enjoyment.'

I was inspired by April's photo, 02.03.17 nib ..... as I've always been a devotée of writing with a fountain pen.

Challenge
Setting up the shoot took wAy longer than expected and required particular care with an open ink bottle before I started to balance the gubbins.

Learning
Soon discovered that this was much more precarious and complex than I had expected. An open ink bottle, albeit hexagonal, is not an easy key object to work with. Balancing the bottle top with the pen cap was frustrating as I'd wanted to place the pen at 90 degrees to the pen's top. Sticky fix-its and sellotape made no impression. Eventually resorted to parcel tape...scrunched up, inside the bottle's cap, yet failed to get a satisfactory shot with the pen laid horizontally in front of its top. Pen in bottle was today's solution. Key learning points: planning, what if I try this, have a plan B and don't allow myself to be seduced by shots beyond my ability and limited knowledge base.

Enjoyment
Yes...as I had 'loads of Fav's' to choose from.
No...so many (this year's) that I got sidetracked and had to keeping dragging myself back to the task in hand!.

[Sally Ings]

Lovely colour ink pot. Interesting set up and I enjoyed reading your narrative

[Sue Hecker]

Looks plenty tricky and nicely done! I also love using a fountain pen, but use the cartridges. That open bottle of ink does indeed look scary!

[Joan Robillard]

This is fabulous. You learned that art means being sneaky and using things which never show up in the picture but are necessary to the finished product. Bravo! This is so well done.

[JackieR]

Brilliant, so glad you enjoyed it mostly. Could we see the original please? ???

[Margo Sayer]

@featherstone26
Smoke & mirrors...metaphorically speaking! The bottle has six sides and will repose without spilling on a side, depending on the overall quantity of ink remaining. Not so much scary as remembering not to make sudden movements that could result in knocking said bottle into spillage. I forebore to not take a shot of my turquoise streaked hands...twice!

[John Falconer]

Got it!!!! Great shot. :-)

[gloria jones]

Super image, lighting, presentation

[Connie Little]

Great capture for your challenge.

[Richard Sayer]

Well there you go - all the angst was worth it as your end result is individual and striking.

[Walks @ 7]

Cool set up and shot. Not sure if you've heard of museum wax. Its clear putty that is used to keep things put.

[David]

A fine image .. and not a drop of ink spilled, apparently!

[Margo Sayer]

@joysabin TYF tip re museum wax.
@yrhenwr Handling the cap and the neck of the bottle x times resulted in mega messy fingers. I didn't clean the bottle as I wanted to keep the dried ink and its contrasting colour. Pleased-ish with the result.