Bits and Pieces

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I really like to notice bits and pieces of things around me. I think that may partly stem from loving still life painting, in particular Dutch and Flemish still life painting from the 1600s forward. I used to paint still life when I was painting in oils (yes, the plural is “still lifes” for you grammar purests). I was always, however, painting from someone else’s photograph. I know a good still life when I see it, but I always had a hard time setting them up myself.


I find I have the same issue when trying to set up a still life for photos, so I need to work on that. I am, however, good at spotting the wonderful still life in nature - the random gull feather on the beach next to an interesting rock, for example.

The other way I satisfy my craving for interesting arrangements is to capture bits and pieces of architecture. Door knobs, windows, old brick walls with interesting texture. The nice thing about architectural detail is your subject doesn’t move and it’s already “arranged”. You only have to wait for good lighting to do it justice. I would never have the patience to engage in the beautiful wildlife photos other photographers have mastered and my subjects generally don’t run away.

 

Window and Door Hardware Green Blue
Driving through old towns is wonderful with the old eyebrow arched windows and decorative molding and string courses (leaned that term in art history class) around the top of buildings under the roof line.

The next time you drive through an old town, take a moment to notice the beautiful architecture from the late 1800’s through the 1920’s. That was a wonderful time for architecture.

Window Hardware Red 1



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Lantern and Brick Wall


Espada Doorway w Lantern









                           

                           

 

 

 

 

 

 


Port Huron Windows


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