Photographing Fine Art

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It seems quite a strange idea photographing a painting in a way, because it’s already an image. But obviously to add to an artists website or online gallery then an artist would need to take shots of their work.

My sister Jill Hudson, is an artist so I thought it would be a bit of fun to have a go at taking a photograph of some of her work. This painting is an oil on canvas and is of some lights in the Cafe Noir in Venice Italy, a favourite cafe we visited while in Venice a couple of years ago.

I think the first thing I learned was that lighting is very important when taking shots of paintings. Because obviously you want to be able to have a true representation of the painting, so I was aware of shadows and sunlight crossing the painting. I needed clear, crisp and well lit photographs, so I shot in a well lit room in daylight and took the shot straight on to get the best view of the piece. I don’t have any unframed pieces so I thought I would make a feature of the frame and include it in the shot.

You can find more of her work at her website, Floaty Boat and also at the Saatchi online gallery.

This is a totally unsolicited post by the way, but she does now owe me one!

Mandy

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Church Project

I want to do a bit more with projects because I’m enjoying my Project 365 so much. So I thought it would be interesting to concentrate on one type of subject, like Churches for instance. It will be good to explore a subject in more detail, and good practice. I chose Churches because I like architecture, and Churches are amazing examples of this.

These shots are of Birkenhead Priory the first Church that I wanted to shoot, mainly because it’s the oldest standing building on the Wirral (the first photograph) so I thought it was a good place to start.

The tall tower is St Mary’s Tower which was part of a later church that was built next to the old Priory.

Birkenhead Priory was also the first place where a ferry crossed the River Mersey, operated by the monks of the Priory.

You may think it a bit strange to see a ship in these photographs seeing as I’m looking at Churches, but it is the view from the top of St Mary’s Tower, looking over into Cammell Larids dock yard. The dock yard is literally feet away from the priory, it’s amazing what you can find right next to Churches!

Trying out the gallery feature!

Mandy

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Image of the Week #25

This week in image of the week:

This is a shot I took today, I like the amount of different colours in such a small area. I enjoy finding these shots of everyday life, because to capture them I have to look around at my surroundings more than I normally would. It’s amazing what you can find when you look!

Mandy

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Don’t Forget to Set the Date and Time!

I have been updating my Flickr account with a back log of Project 365 photographs which it was in desperate need of, I had become a little behind to say the least.

When I started to notice that the dates of the images were wrong, I don’t normally look at the dates but with working through so many photographs they caught my eye today. They were saying the images had been taken in March 2008! Which I thought was a little strange.

So I checked my computer’s date and time, which were fine so it wasn’t that. The next stop was the camera, which hadn’t crossed my mind as the culprit. I had set the date and time when I had got it over a year ago. But it was the culprit, it’s date was set on 23 March 2008 at 1.15 am for some reason?

The only reason I can think of for this to happen was that a while ago the battery went flat while I was out, maybe that messed around with the date and time somehow, I don’t know. It was easily fixed though through the setup menu.

But since I’m doing a Project 365 it’s important that I have the correct date so I’m glad that I noticed it, and have corrected it now. It just shows it’s easy to miss the simple things, and good to check them every now and then!

Mandy

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Aren’t Lighthouses Photogenic!

There’s something about lighthouses don’t you think? Obviously solitary but also welcoming, which is possibly not the best thing for a lighthouse!

This is Perch Rock Lighthouse on the shore off of New Brighton.

Before it was built about 180 years ago, there was a wooden beacon to warn ships away from this sandstone bank on their way into Liverpool.

This is the first time I have been this close to a lighthouse that’s not on dry land! You can only get this close at low tide, and then you have to be careful of the fast flowing tides, this part of the coast is very dangerous.

I always hear other photographers saying about the importance of taking your camera everywhere with you, so as to be ready for that unexpected photo opportunity. But they don’t say anything about taking suitable footwear with you everywhere as well.

I took these shots on the off chance, but I had to negotiate some large slimy rocks and lots of water logged sand to get to the lighthouse - in my sandals!!!

Lesson learned…

Mandy

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Image of the Week #24

This week in image of the week:

Close encounter of the donkey kind! His name is Jacko and he resides at the Tam O’ Shanter Urban Farm in Birkenhead. I think he was looking for some treats but was out of look, he doesn’t look too impressed does he!

As with children, animals can be difficult to take shots of. I think the key is to be quick. I wiped my camera out and took the shot with one hand, while trying to stop the kids putting their hands (should I say tasty looking hands, to the donkey anyway) through the fence with the other hand.

A great place to visit though.

Mandy

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