Unlike many DPCers, I actually enjoy challenges that invite me to try another photographer's style. It's an excellent opportunity to view the world - and photography - differently. Which, in turn, helps me grow as a photographer.
My own style is very literal, if whimsical. I have a very hard time creating abstract images which I feel are any good. So I decided to try my hand at creating an abstract I did like, and chose to emulate one of my favorite abstract masters on DPC - ursula!! I find her use of light, color, and textures breathtaking and original. I contacted her and was incredibly fortunate to catch her between trips. She checked into DPC on the only day she'd be able to help me!!!
Well, in spite of the detailed advice she gave me (thank you Ursula!!!), I struggled mightily to create this image. It is so much harder than it looks!!! The biggest difference is due to the lens, of course, as she favors a 150mm macro. But I only have a 60mm macro. I'm sure the right lens would have helped!
I tried Ursula's technique of creating a "landscape" rather than shooting a real one. I put tin foil in a pan of water, then used some gels to give it some color, and shot with a wide aperture. Editing consisted mostly of playing with contrast and vibrance, a bit of selective sharpening and dodging. Even though the image is pleasing enough, it lacks the delicacy and detail which make her creations so magical.
Honestly, I don't know how she does what she does. I would have tried one of her bokeh images, but we'd just had a bokeh challenge! I have no idea if this even marginally resembles her work, but it's the closest I could get. And yes, I do like it :-)
POST CHALLENGE
I'm quite relieved my Ursula tribute didn't tank!
Thank YOU, Ursula, for inspiring me with your magical images. I truly could not figure out how you get that delicacy.
LOL! it never occurred to me to NOT put the foil in water!! I used a 1" pan and tried the foil flat, a little bent, a lot bent, with some crumpling, and crumpled beyond hope. I tried it completely submerged, and partially submerged.
Yes, gels are transparent, colored plastic sheets, and these were backlit with natural light, you can get them online.
Abrazotes mi talentosisima Amiga. A ver que te sale con perritos :-)
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This is gorgeous. I love colorful abstracts. I seem to like straightforward shots in B&W and abstracts in color. I find this to be a stunning example of exactly what I love in an abstract.
Thank God for the favorite photo thread or I would never see some of these beautiful shots.
Nice! You very much managed to make something your own while trying someone else's way of thiinking. I like the result. Soooo ... for my own education and because I want to try this:
-tinfoil in water? how much water? tinfoil crumpled or flat? I never thught of putting tinfoil im water, it's a fascinatimg concept, something to try this Winter for sure.
-flash or no flash?
-gels ... those are coloured transparencies, right? I have never used them. Where do you get them and how are they used?
See, like I told you when we talked before the challengr, I learn from these as much as anyone else :)
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