Monday, October 22, 2012

On Black

I've had a thing for black as of late. So much so that I've heard comments to the effect that I should add some color to my life.  To my clothes, to my graphic designs to my photography. I've considered the suggestion and filed it away.  You see, to me black is an anchor, it's constant and it's elegant. It reminds me of a symphony...beautiful notes set off by black, proper clothing. In photography it can do very much the same.

It is however, sometimes hard to photograph.  Exposure is different than 'normal'. There are many 'degrees' of black and of course there is the practicality of black showing every speck of dust imaginable. It can make a subject feel like it's floating, literally in a black hole. Sometimes as photographers we fear it.

You might notice however, that I've utilized it quite a bit. The last two month's challenges were set on black so this month I decided to approach this month's Inspired Plate food photography theme of 'shooting on black' in a way that would be new to me. This time I utilized reflection. I found it to be an interesting challenge to only reflect what you want to reflect, but I feel like the reflection adds a great dimension to black backgrounds.  It adds a sense of place to the subject so they aren't really floating out in the wide world with nothing to hold them down. I found that quite comforting and enjoyable.

So without further ado...My three takes on black backgrounds.


Sprite Slush


Sprite
 

Harvest Corn


Harvest Corn

 

Fall Trio


Fall Trio

9 comments:

Kay Pickens said...

Love these. Love the reflections! So nice and crisp.

Stacey said...

Beautiful Kat! The reflections are so ccol.

Tiffany | Peanut Blossom said...

Love love love the corn one. The reflection is so pretty and it really sets a mood.

Laurie said...

I have been trying to leave a comment all morning from my phone with no success. BUT.. omg, I am SO glad it didn't take because it forced me to come home and view it on my big screen. KAT!! LOVE these!! your reflections are beautiful. And I agree with Tiffany. The harvest corn image is gorgeous!!

Unknown said...

These are lovely. So creative and great bursts of colour. I like them all and really dig the reflections.

Kim - Liv Life said...

I'm loving the reflections!! I've not figured out yet how to really make them, I need more materials, but someday I hope to make them as beautiful as you did!

Unknown said...

Very fun! I'm excited that you challenged yourself further and played with reflections on black-these look great!

Caroline said...

Love that sprite bottle and now crisp and clear your images are here!!!

Jen Olson | Localette said...

Oooh the Sprite bottle is my favorite! Such a pop of color and so dramatic. Well done!!!