Candy

Week 6 of the Dogwood Photography Challenge:

Artistic: CANDY! Your artistic interpretation this week should be inspired by something sweet. A great chance to play with macro photography.

I think I'll chose this first photo as my entry for the challenge. Of all of them it's the one that is most focused on the subect, which was "candy". 

I really like this second photo too. It highlights some of the pieces of my grandmother's vintage children's faux crystal tea set. It's real glass. How she managed to not break it playing with it as a child in the 1910 - 1920 era is beyond me! I only had it out on a display shelf and managed to break the lid to the butter dish. 

I like the simplicity of this third photo,

And the way the scalloped edge of grandma's little butter dish frames the candy in this one.

This last one wasn't even in the running though I liked the pattern it forms. The outer ring of candy is not in focus. The centre candy is on a tall glass and the depth of focus was just too deep to get everything at once.

A New Challenge

Seems my muse is taking me in yet another creative direction. I've joined the 52 Week Photography Challenge. All 52 challenges (one each week of the year) are listed on the Dogwood Photography web page so you know ahead of time what is coming up. This week is "Selfie, Explore the self timer setting on your camera".  

Not being one fond of self portraits or even being in front of a camera someone else has pointed in my direction, I found this week's challenge particularly difficult.

Once I had a photograph I was happy enough with I had great fun playing with the new edition of "Photoshop" that I got for my birthday. This sketch filtered version is actually my favourite of the bunch. It captures the mood I was after (not as crabby or apprehensive looking as the photo above). I like the way the washed out look made my glasses frame and focus attention on my eyes.

And speaking of crabby looking, LOL, how's this patchwork filter? Amazing how a little editing changes things the mood so much.

If you feel so inclined, do join me, either in the Facebook group (7,000 members and growing!) or on the Flickr group -- or both! It should be a fun year of personal growth.

Budding Photographer

Flame climbed up on a chair to practice his photography

He wanted to get closer to eye level because he has heard how unattractive "up the nose" shots can be.

And he wanted his photos of Lieutenant Zenawii Tulusson and his wife, Elfonda Schelf, to be as perfect as possible. 

Tonight is the night of the Starship Officers' annual Christmas Party and Elfonda has a new dress for the occasion.