December 2009 outside of Doha, with my 400D, MT24-EX Twin Lite, and 100mm Macro lens. 1/200th at f/11 and ISO 100. 30" print.
If anyone sees this and thinks I've cracked, I'm cool with that. ;-)
I'm completely fascinated with how compositions make us FEEL, and very keen to keep exploring new extents of it. That is, I perceive that this composition makes me feel a certain way, and feel confident that at least some other people will feel it in the same way. And for me, anyway, art is all about sharing a feeling together.
In this one's case, btw, it definitely looks much better bigger, and rather compromised when smaller (so check it out at four times this size on the home page). This is happening more and more often as I work on the larger screen and truly see the destination scale before my eyes (as opposed to before, when I was guessing at the larger rendition). In particular, the tone appears more dim when it's small, and brighter when it's large. Very interesting.
This was shot at a major greenhouse complex outside of Doha. Had attempted to shoot there over a year earlier, but it was too dim and the plants were waving too consistently within the heavy air-conditioning. I gave up after half an hour and left feeling spanked. But resolved to go back some day with more lighting firepower.
Thus, last summer, I picked up the MT24-EX Twin Lite, two small strobes that mount directly (and extremely configurably) on the end of the 100mm Macro lens. Though I'd used it a little during model shoots last summer, returning to this greenhouse was its real baptism of fire. Did very well, too.
In other news, I've been in quite the artistic slump altogether lately, for various life/malaise reasons dating back to November, but, as usual, I'm trying to get fired up again. Not planning on much new work to pop out this summer, so I need to "get ahead" this Spring, while still isolated (from a million other things to do) within the school year now.
For the moment, I like the idea of my frontispieces making a viewer go "huh? wha-?," so long as the "dramatic" delivers at the same time, so I'm feeling rather self-satisfied about this new one. Might have a doozy in the pipe for April Fool's next month, but we'll see.
Beautiful. Love it!
Posted by: Alyssa Morris | 01 March 2010 at 08:34 AM
I love this one a lot but if you ask me why I will be reduced to using words that seem hollow and wrong... least that's what happens when I try explain it to myself...
Posted by: JNgaio | 07 March 2010 at 05:30 AM
oh oh oh I LOVE this, it's gorgeous. Vibrant warm colours, and then the green leaves just draw you right in, they're saying "come on in! come on in! come and see what we're hiding!". I could sit and stare at it for ever. GORGEOUS :) (did I say that already?).
Posted by: Sunnie (Cat) | 17 March 2010 at 07:21 PM
Heh, I was comming to wish you a happy new year and saw this photo. Well well, I have that plant right outside of my house and I have always loved it's colors =P If you allow me, I'd love to have it as a wallpaper.
Sorry for the lack of comments or critique this time, but well, just wanted to wish a good old friend and new year filled with many artistic projects, new plans and a nice degree of peace and joy.
Posted by: Yakarin | 28 December 2010 at 06:49 PM