Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Abstract flower painting . . .



Good morning, and happy Tuesday!
I'm behind, again, well maybe I'm just not ever not behind? Is that to many double negatives?

*** (insert smiley face here) ***

I had fully expected to get this post done last night, or better yet after my metals class yesterday,
but I stayed all day...and playing with fire and glass and saws, well that tends to wear a person out.
In a good way, a very good way....I slept well last night!!

Last week I shared some fun stuff I'm doing with my lens, painting with movement. But I've also
found that I can get a "painted look" without movement as well. I love flowers, I love the way they
look, the way they feel, and smell and I just love taking pictures of them. Since I never planted any
cool season flowers in my garden, I've been enjoying the $4 specials at the grocery store and we've been
spending quality time together on my front porch. I've been playing with my 40mm macro lens with a wide open aperture to get lots and lots of blur.

I think when we first set out on our journey with our camera, I know this is true for me, we are happy to get photographs that are half way decent and NOT blurry, as in in focus. I didn't understand aperture, speed, and ISO and how any of it worked together. I just knew I had a new camera and wasn't getting results like others, like I wanted. And then after much practice I was beginning to get the shots I was looking for AND with some added bonus of the beloved bokeh, but I was just using my camera as a tool to record.

Revelation number two: My camera is a tool that can help me "create" rather than just record. It's taken me some time to realize my photographs don't have to have anything to do with exactly what the subject looked liked at the time, but rather about a creative vision based solely on my heart and my experience in that moment. And you know I'm all about the moment.

I'm just letting my heart create, rather than thinking too much about any of it . . .and taking full control
of the camera. Because so many of the times, "Nicki" just doesn't see things the way I do! lol
These were all taken on my covered front porch at different times of the day, in indirect light, on cloudy, sunny, and or overcast days.


{ Kim Klassen textures: Camomile, minus 43 and Oh my }

(Sooc), and slightly cropped


Added some textures to give the feel of a canvas.


(Sooc) and cropped.


Kim Klassen warm sun 




Slight exposure adjustments, love this the way it is with the dark and muted background.
(Tones on Tuesday)


But I had to play - I was going for a an old painted look here.

I don't think I've ever gotten my moneys worth out of anything like my $4 finds at the grocery store, or killed so much time! But I have been having fun...You really don't need a macro lens to try this. Just grab a lens, one that you can switch to manual focus, find some good light and really pay attention to your background.
Ready...set....click! And P.S. - things just might get a little foggy on Thursday, just sayin'!!

Have a great day...
Love, Kim
XO



47 comments:

Comfypjs said...

Just beautiful!

Stephani Cochran said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Simply breathtaking. I think you've just inspired me! These are absolutely some of the finest photos of flowers I have ever seen. What's especially amazing is I think the SOOC shots are my favorites. Here is was thinking, "I don't know photoshop and I don't think i can get that SOOC." I'm gonna try! (no macro lens though).

Dotti said...

Oh, yes! You've got pop going on here as well as some very artistic work. I've pondering what I can do besides tulips for "pop" ... I think I've exhausted those ... and if I'm lucky, maybe I'll find some gerbera daisies! Thanks for the inspiration.

Tamar SB said...

You are a genius!! Create rather than record - wow wow wow! Blow me away why don't you!

Unknown said...

Love your creativity. They are all really beautiful, but your tones shot is my favorite. Have a great week.

Linda/patchwork said...

Wow! I love each and every one of these.
I really need to do some practice on manual. Patience would help, I think. See if I can find some.

Foggy????

amy of studio four corners said...

spectacular shots...and great editing! thanks for stopping by my blog...now off to see what other goodies might be found on kim's texture tuesday...

Linda Kittmer said...

Beautiful Kim! I LOVE the first shot! But, they are all wonderful. Such great processing.

Barbara said...

So lovely Kim. Can see the fun u had in them

kelly said...

beautiful shots kim! and truly, it's one of the joys of photography that an inexpensive bunch of flowers can create hours of enjoyment. :)

i also loved what you said about creating, not just recording. it's something i'm just starting to understand. but i can see it opening all kinds of doors.

lisa said...

I'm in awe of your macro shots and the processing on them is wonderful! So beautiful.

Leigh said...

Oh my goodness Kim...these are all just so gorgeous!!!

Gail Dixon said...

Absolutely beautiful work.

PS said...

Where do I buy these? I gotta have some.

PS said...

Where do I buy these? I gotta have some.

Jeanne said...

kim you have really done your lens justice in all of these photos! Great depth of field! Isnt' it fun to be creative with your lens. No end to the opportunites and creative ops! Great work!

Donna@Gardens Eye View said...

Absolutely gorgeous what you can create from a lens

Suzanne said...

Gorgeous images! And I've been having some of the same revelations... the camera is also a creative tool :)

Inspired By June said...

Nicely done, Kim. All your playing, practice and patience is really paying off!

terriporter said...

Oh, Kim, I so can relate to getting the most fun out of a $4.99 bunch of grocery store flowers! Aren't we lucky that we're so easily amused! Your photos are just stunning. Love all the different techniques you used. Absolutely love your comparison between using a camera to record and to create. Beautiful!

My Garden Diaries said...

Ok...I hope that you are framing some of these! WOW! And yes you have surely gotten your moneys worth! Ha! That's awesome! I hope to one day get a nice camera...any recommendations for a beginner??

Kmcblackburn said...

These are beautiful. Downright beautiful!

Kim Cunningham said...

Perfect! These are just lovely. I'm thinking we need to start encouraging you to give tutorials on your florals and natural life. You rock!

Anonymous said...

Love those photos! I agree with Kim C. about encouraging you to give some tutorials...you have some amazing talent:)

Unknown said...

WOW. Your photos have me smiling. Looks like you have been having fun with your camera. I am thinking I need to go get me some $4 flowers.

Hugs~

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Great work you have given me inspiration off to the supermarket I go to see what flowers they have today. I love all the different effects you have achieved .

Becs said...

These are gorgeous, so creative, and I love the different effects and styles you've created. Beautifully done.

Pieni Lintu said...

So lovely - great editing!

Sherri B. said...

Gasp! These are so beautiful...one of these days I need to start learning how to use a camera manually. It's on my list of things to do! You always inspire...thank you for sharing your images (and lovely thoughts), Kim. :)

Unknown said...

Your pictures are like art!

Really incredible shots. I love the details. You are a texture rockstar! Fabulous!

Thank you so much for joining us at Communal Global this week! We love seeing your take on the world around you! Hope to see you next Tuesday : ). Love, Becky

Kathryn Dyche said...

Gorgeous Kim, you're such an inspiration. I really need to pull my finger out and experiment with my camera more.

Silvina Soave said...

Todas las imágenes son una belleza, un trabajo excelente!. Abrazos.Admiro tu estilo.

Brenda said...

Kim - these are all simply gorgeous. I love your revelation - that your camera is a tool for creation not just a recording device. That opens up a whole new world of opportunity, does it not? That last image is stunning in its post-processing and the gorgeous lighting.

Kat Sloma said...

Awesome Kim! These are all gorgeous. I love your revelation #2 - YES! The best photography is created from the heart, not just recording. Thanks so much for linking in to Exploring with a Camera again!

kathyinozarks said...

I love your work Kim, very beautiful

Deanna said...

Holy smokes...!!

Gina Kleinworth said...

Kim- these are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!

ClickNCamera said...

Wonderful post and photos...enjoy your day!

Happy Herbs Soap said...

Great photos! Beautiful blog! Now following. Hope you'll stop by for a visit!

Nina

sandy said...

Just beautiful! I don't know how you did #4 & #5 with the pretty blur like that but I love them. Actually I love all of them and the color is perfect!

Cathy H. said...

Breathtaking...everyone of them! You have a beautiful eye and heart for photography!

~~~jennifer~~~ said...

Ooh, I love how the last pic turned out! Beautiful!

Lisa Gordon said...

Kim, these are absolutely GORGEOUS!
Such a wonderful series of images.

Tina´s PicStory said...

wonderful artwork! :)

leanne can blog said...

These are really beautiful! Love the blur that you've achieved sooc. particularly the 4th shot.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

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