Low-Tech Tuesday: Photo-App
The other day I happened upon a free app that I had to try with my camera-phone ( I think of it as a camera with phone & messaging capabilities). I tried it first with a close-up shot of the flower in the kitchen. As you can see it has a kaleidoscope effect with vignette. I became quite enthused and decided to test it out some more. I took a long distant shot of shot of a shelf.
I then wanted to see what a portrait of a person would look like, so I experimented with my children (family can be so handy). First one up was Tasha, who looked right at me.
Then came Alex, who tried to ignore me (older children have a tendency to do that, if they find your behaviour embarrassing). He did at least lend me an ear.
By now my excitement and enthusiasm sparked a bit of experimentation. Why not take some portrait shots of people a little further afield ? Like Australia or perhaps Texas. So to my computer I went and blogged my way to other parts of the world.
First up was Ashley of the Syncopated Eyeball.
Then I dropped in on George (She Kept a Parrot) in Texas.
By now you may be wondering where I happened upon this free app, well it was the kitchen table.
Tasha had left part of a small plastic kaleidoscope toy on the table. I happened to pick it up and an interesting thought. Only part of the toy was there, a single fractured lens. What would happen it I positioned it in front of the lens on my cellphone ? The flower on the table made an excellent choice of subject, and so it began.
You can see my enthusiasm was justified. The app was definitely free ( the original toy was free). The advantage of not needing to download and install anything was particularly useful, since my cellphone camera is not Smart enough to use more digitally based apps.
This little plastic gizmo is delightfully hands on and creates a wonderful randomness to the photographic process. It is primitive and adds an element of toy camera to the results. I did need to adjust and crop some of the images before adding the old style taped borders. I guess you know by now why I identified this post as Low-tech Tuesday, ……. it isn’t Wednesday yet.
Plastic Bottle Flower Prints 2
These three Plastic Bottle Flower Prints were produced to go with a tutorial/explanation of the process of creating these pieces. A couple of posts back clover58 had asked for more information on how I created the effects. Well, after all these years of teaching, when someone asks how/why, I have trouble not providing examples, instructions or resources. You will find there is now a tutorial page devoted to Plastic Bottle Flower Prints. It goes through the basic steps in the process. If anyone wants to know about the more complex-artsy transformations, I’ll add a further tutorial.
Plastic Bottle Flower Prints
Using macro shots of a plastic pop bottle I created some layers to blend with a medium macro shot of flowers in a vase. The first experiment was published in yesterday’s post. The two versions today are very different from each other in style, colour and texture. The first emphasizes the plastic surface overlaying the flowers. The mat was designed to emulate a melted plastic . The second image resulted in a faded photo-print that resembles old lumen prints. The mat was intended to suggest the coloured paper of older photographic processes.
NOTE: For more information on Lumen Prints see my earlier post, Flower-gram 1. It will provide an earlier digital experiment and links to more information.
Simplicity: The Rose & Ice
Simplicity,
The state of being Simple.
But You can not get there from Here. -
Simplicity
Usually relates to the Burden.
The Burden which a Thing
Puts on Someone.
Or the Burden is the quality Someone
Tries to explain or understand.
The Burden is the quality of Simply Understanding
Something.
OR, ……..
Trying to explain or understand It simply.
Something which is easy to understand.
Explain Please?
It is simple,
Depending on the way
We choose
To describe It.[1]
In contrast to Something Complicated.
Alternatively, Something is Simple .
Go Smell the Roses,
Observe the Simple Complexity of the Ice.
Once There, you have arrived Here.
Note: Photographically I wanted to go for simplicity, no fancy processing. Then I had to write something on the topic of simplicity, sigh. I chose to go with a found poem.
A poem created from prose found in a non-poetic context, such as advertising copy, brochures, newspapers, product labels, etc. The lines are arbitrarily rearranged into a form patterned on the rhythm and appearance of poetry.
The source I used was a Wikipedia entry. I purposely left the original links intact, besides adding one or two of my own. For a much earlier and simpler (?) example of this form see my post, Contemplating The Moon.
Did anyone else see a resting fawn in the ice ? I guess that is what happens with simplicity we see complex patterns and hidden meanings.
Morning Frost & Sunlit Ice
The morning brings with the sun a new configuration of ice growing on the corner shrub. An alien sculpture from the hand of Nature, it is as if the tree was caught in a conflicting metamorphosis.
On the windshield, a blue-green message, in a script older than humanity, waiting to be translated into tears by the hungry sun light.
How many generations have failed to interpret the morning frost-glyphs ? Can the eye and hand of a child find meaning where others can not ?
The day progresses and the ice further transformed as it slips out of Winter’s grasp, tomorrow another frost.
Note: The photographs were all taken with my camera-phone ( can not decide if it is a phone trying to be a camera or a camera trying to be a phone ). I tagged this post under poetry, technically it is a prose poem. It is also a type of Haiga-Photo verse, in that removing either the words or the images alters the message, much in the same way a photo essay requires both text and image to deliver the complete message.
Daguerre In Toyland
Women multi-task, Men multi-mess-about. While I was doing my muti-mess-about ( sound vaguely Australian, but is global phenomena), hit on what will be a new photo-sequence that I call Daguerre in Toyland. While I was messing about with textures and ideas for some photos thing got all mixed together. One idea and technique kept bumping into another. I had taken a couple of shots that I was hoping to use for a second Existential Friday post. The subject matter came about as I was preparing some Christmas Material. Among some of the shots were a couple I thought could work be used to create an Antique/Victorian texture – which might work with the Christmas themes.
As this came together and I tried to come up with a texture realized I had a potential frame layer for a Daguerreotype . When I put this together with the Christmas themes I was toying around with ( bad pun for the amazing photo-arty spilledinkguy at Refrigerator Magnate and J. A. Robinson of The Daily Graff ), I had the beginning of a photo sequence.
Note: For more on Daguerre see: Daguerre (1787–1851) and the Invention of Photography , A Brief Guide to Becquerel Daguerreotype my Media Studies resource page CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHY ,
For more on people who are creating daguerreotypes and other alternative processes see: AlternativePhotography-Gallery
Also check my two previous posts see: Flower-gram 1 and Captured Light
I See You
My daughter was playing games when I was trying to get her photo while she was in the pool. The composition came out interestingly, but it didn’t work as a regular photograph. I managed to keep the more interesting qualities of the composition, while turning some of the weaknesses into positive aesthetic effects. Meanwhile a seagull also wanted to get into the picture as it were, ….. well, really looking for a handout.
On The Wing
Humanity has always looked to the heavens.
We dream of flying.
We give ourselves metaphorical wings.
Our thoughts take flight.
Our steps are lighter than a feather.
Lovers fly into one another’s arms.
How we would rather soar with the eagles,
Than meander on the ground with a bunch of turkeys.
How we envy even the most common birds
When they take flight and are on the wing.
Note: The second image was created combining my textures and a photograph I had taken with one my daughter had taken (in spite of down’s syndrome and communication challenges she can take some very interesting photographs). The third image was created using my textures with a photograph taken a few years ago by my son. Enjoy the day !
Heads-up in The Garden
Keep your head up in the Garden.
Watch with eyes wide open.
Revealed in shadows and sunlight,
The unexpected & the new.
Consider the Heronography-
Read the leaves and count the lines.
Contemplate the broken Catsuary -
Perfection is a matter of Perception.
Mounted flower pots,
Hanging flowers reach out,
Faces to the sun.
Sunlight & Fence
We plan our yards and gardens, trying to control Nature. Plants wanted and unwanted grow, while the golden sunlight shines down on all without discrimination. That is sort of the way life works , isn’t it ?
Flower-gram: Lilly of a different colour
The Lilly of a Different Colour originated with a photograph taken a few years ago. It was a medium length shot taken with a macro setting. I was not completely satisfied with it. After modifying the image’s contrast and saturation using the virtualphotographer plug-in, I added a texture layer. The texture layer was created using a recent photograph . After modifying the texture image, the layer settings and opacity were adjusted to create the final image .
If you look closely you can still see the outline of the ant near the centre of the flower. Enjoy the day !
Antique Impressions: Garden Ornaments2
The heat and humidity continue, as it does for much of Canada and the United States. Things appear to brown, burn, and age right in front of our eyes. Maybe it is just our over heated imaginations. No, I think it is the heat.
Antique Impression: Classic Coca-Cola Glass
The heat and humidity has reached Elliot Lake in Northern Ontario. No matter how much you drink, it seems like the last swallow is a memory of a long ago event.
Antique Impressions: The Squirrel
This is another set of images in my antique impressions series as you can see by the title. Once again I am emulating old style photograph and print processes with the use of a digital darkroom. My choice of subject matter came about thanks to Eden of Eden’s Captures. When commenting on my post Antique Surreal Impressions2 she mentioned that when she first read the title she thought it said Antique Squirrel Impressions. Well that was it for me; I suffer a pun and word-play addiction and right away I knew I had to make that post a reality. So thank-you Eden, here are the Antique Squirrel Impressions. I hope this post doesn’t drive anyone nutty in an antique way, …….. I think I have an idea for another post !
Antique Impressions: Garden Ornaments
Time chases a butterfly;
The spider spins a web.
The sunlight is harsh.
Post 200 – Looking Back
Well I am surprised. This is post 200. I spent more time on this blog than I originally thought I would. I suppose the creative outlet of photography, digital art, and writing/poetry were more beneficial and addicting than I realized. So at this time I thought I would reflect back on what I learned/surprised me by this process.
First off is the diversity of people and talent that you can come into contact through the internet. It is one thing to read about it, but to experience can be amazing. People of all ages and backgrounds – a teacher in training from Argentina, a young lady in the mid-west U.S. discovering the art and craft of photography, a lover of cats and architecture from Istanbul, the young photographer from India that weaves gossamer dreams, The King of kitschy things, fellow Canadians & Commonwealth citizens, and so many more. From both a personal side and as a Media literacy educator that made it an amazingly worthwhile experience.
My skills as a photographer and as self-taught media artist have improved ( I think) and my twisted punning has remained the same. I have been able to apply the knowledge and skills( as with the punning) in the classroom setting. My keyboarding skills and LD spelling have not improved that much. Oh and by the way, WordPress doesn’t understand Canadian spelling or idiom.
Some really strange search terms brought people to this blog.
Time passes more quickly than we care to acknowledge and it is nice to look back and see some positive trace of where you have been.
The possibility to retire to something, rather than retire from “the job”, makes the future a bit more comforting.
It is really difficult to choose your favourite creative piece. I will try not to over burden you and choose a few of my favourites – really all of them are part of my self-expression so they are favourites in one way or another . Thanks again to the subscribers, regular visitors and commentators, and all the other visitors. And an extra special thanks to the Nelson family of Elliot Lake who have been on this ride since I started the media literacy blog.
It is all in the eye of the beholder. Look closely.
A photographer must be calm as a cat.
A photographer captures a moment in time and shapes it to their vision.
A photographer sees beauty where others see only weeds ……. or things that creep and crawl.
And sometimes, ………..A photographer captures moments with the beautiful and the famous.
Flowers: Coming & Going
Some flowers are just arriving while others are coming to an end. Remind me of the end of the school year, the graduates prepare to go past grads may drop by for a visit, and a few students are thinking ahead to next fall – they can not wait to tell you that they are in your class come September.
A note to my subscribers and visitors, once again I am working on photo-compositions for the next school calendar. They only came through with the grant money to publish the special colour calendar this month. As my time is starting to open up from other school duties and I now have access to this year’s photos I will not have as much time for posting, especially photos. I have some creative projects on the go, but the calendar photos need to be finished first. I don’t want them swallowing up as much of the summer as they did last year. Enjoy the day !
Antique Impressions of Spring
Preparing the fish pond, the fish have not yet taken up residence as they await the warmer weather.
The Toad Abode remains empty , perhaps later in the season someone might hop by.
The yellow moon lily opens in the evening. They open quickly, sometimes touching them will trigger the bloom. Each bloom opens in the evening and only lasts the night and into the next day.
Aboriginal Feast Day at ELSS
Elliot Lake Secondary School had an Aboriginal Feast Day. it was organized and run by the students and staff advisers of our Aboriginal Alliance. Involving the staff, student body and the local First Nation community, it was a great success. Held in the school courtyard last Friday, the presentation include a drumming circle, dancers, presentation ceremonies and glorious native food.
The drummers included students, staff advisers, and elders of the Serpent River Community. The dancers included students and elders and young dancers from Serpent River.
As to the food, it was prepared by the students and staff advisers, with the assistance of the community elders. The menu you ask, well here it is.
It took a lot of time and effort to prepare all the food. These are Indian Tacos and scones.
Here is my plate served up with all the trimmings. I also had some Moose stew.
A fantastic meal and a wonderful sharing of culture. Education doesn’t just take place in the classroom and the students have as much to offer and inform as do the teachers. This type of sharing and learning can only happen in caring, inclusive educational community that extends beyond the walls of the physical institution. There is so much to be gained by all elements of society when this model of teaching and learning is embraced by staff, students . and the larger community.
Antique Impression of Nature5
Just beyond the school parking lot is another world. This is Northern Ontario where the end of the sidewalk can be the beginning a Nature walk as opposed to endless concrete and urban sprawl. The first photo is a golden window into a sacred place or just a quiet moment before the lunch bell rings.
Step back in time and see the world through a plastic time machine viewer. It looks like the 1960′s. Which way is up ?
Over the rocks and trees you need to have clear sight lines and keep the lines of communication open. Was life simpler back then ? Or were they just giving simpler answers to the same complex questions we ask today at the edge of the school parking lot ?
Spring Flowers: Pictures Antique,Plastic & Digital
Three Spring Flower photographs, each one of a different type of flower, and each photograph is in a different style. The first is of blossoms done to evoke an antique photographic print. The second photograph of Spring Lilac was modified with my textures to emulate the look of a plastic camera. I know there is an app for that, but did it the old-fashioned way, creating my own textures and blending the layers.
The final photograph of a Spring Clematis maintains a traditional contemporary digital style ( looking for oxymora) .
This is post 175 – how did I get here ? At this rate I’ll have used up all the free space for media files. I’ll have to consider my options once I get there.
Flower-gram 4
Here are some flower-grams that are variations on one photograph. I used some of my textures to create these variations on the early clematis bloom.
The blue and the gold.
Here are a couple of other shots. One more variation on the clematis and then a bit of yellow to add some Spring sunshine to the post.
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