Still life created on a dreary day - see below
This was what it looked like outside
The paper was hung parallel to the window and the table.
Coloured paper was taped to the colorama background and the camera was on tripod facing the objects.
Prior to life as a photographer the weather hardly registered a blip on my radar. From the day I started studying photography the weather became EVERYTHING. What was going to happen tomorrow? Would I be able to get the shots I needed with a dull sky?? I had flown to Italy, the model was ready, the make-up and the stylist but it was pouring rain..OMG...
During the past 11 years I feel as though I have shot in every type of weather except maybe a cyclone or a Tsunami but I have come close. The anxiety I once felt about the weather has faded. The great thing about shooting in all types of conditions is that it teaches you how to get the shot and use the available light under any circumstances..
So as I boarded the train for Avignon the torrential rain that was washing out Italy didn't make me want to cancel my ticket, turn tail and run home. I figured I would just work around it. (See the second photo above for what was happening outside whilst we were shooting).
Talented French super stylist Vicki Archer andI had planned to shoot still lifes on plain, somber and colourful backgrounds.
We set up a small studio in Vicki's kitchen using a portable background stand and colorama arctic white. We turned her kitchen table around and placed it at a perpendicular angle to the window and draped some of the white colorama paper over it. I put my portable background stand parallel to the table and strung up the colorama paper. There was a little distance between the table and the paper.
As in the shot above we taped some of the coloured paper to the background.. (This wasn't ideal. It would have been better to stick it to a wall but the light wasn't good enough in the other rooms). Using the coloured paper allowed us to to change the mood with the objects.
I set the 'studio' up this way so the objects would be side lit from the window. I put my camera on a tripod directly in front of the scene. Shooting at 100 iso on about F5.6 I was sometimes shooting at 2seconds.. The last shot of the day was 15 seconds!!!!
But as you can see from the top shot it looks more like we were working in the Bahamas than in rainy Provence..
Carla xx
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great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteand, by the way, I visited the fer a cheval two days ago and told them your blog led me there.
Wonderful - never would have guessed how dreary it was outside (although I have to admit that it still looked very pretty, dreariness and all!).
ReplyDeleteHopefully one day I will be a good enough photographer to not be fazed by weather/lighting conditions too!
I love how you share your tips. Thank you. Beautiful shot :)
ReplyDeleteWish we were doing this today! xxv
ReplyDeleteLovely pic,I truly love the colours and the energy they ive.
ReplyDeleteBuona giornata, Rosanna
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I just love your tutorials, Carla! Thank you so much for sharing them! xo
ReplyDeleteAs i"ve said before, you and V are one terrific team. I love these tutorials Carla. I'm learning so much from you!
ReplyDeletexx
V
This is SO inspiring! Did you use a light as well? Can I ask what camera you and Vicki are using for these gorgeous saturated shots? Can't wait to see what you two up to!
ReplyDeleteWell, there you go. Thank you for inspiring me to become a photographer. I looked at your photo of "what the weather was like outside" and instantly knew what I have to do during those long, dreary Seattle winters... Photographing still life! ;-) Of course, it might be a while for my creations to rival yours (and Vicki's)-- if they ever do. Have a wonderful day, Carla. == Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeletehow generous of you to share your secrets!! loved this post
ReplyDeleteSharon
x
I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for the links to the supplies. Colorama paper doesn't look like they are sold in the US but I did find Savage paper. Loved your sharing how this was done. Beautiful photo of the roses.
ReplyDeleteI love your creativity! Well done Carla!
ReplyDeleteWow. That fascinates me! And it turned out so well! (I love Vicki too.)
ReplyDeleteSo interesting to learn more about how light affects photography. Thank you for sharing your pearls of wisdom (and inspiring shots)! Here's to a great week, Carla!
ReplyDeleteLove the photo and love your tutorial along with it - thank you again for your generous spirit.
ReplyDeletei love pink and geen together! So i was hooked right from the beginning. Thanks for sharing your secrets. Your photos make the dreary weather look magical and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is such great information! Would have never guessed thats what it looked like outside. Think my little digital camera can do that? ha!
ReplyDeleteThis is such great inspiration! I'm so affected by weather (especially when it's grey) so this would be so fun and a perfect way to do something I love.
ReplyDeletexo
cortnie
Love the tutorial, thanks for all the tips!
ReplyDeletexxx
ps love what you Vicki do
Carla, this is an awesome tutorial! The weather outside still looks so beautiful! Makes me want to sit under cover and look over those trees while sipping hot chocolate and eating cheese. Yes, you can tell it's already a hot summer here in Australia by what I'm dreaming of!! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog to say hello again. It was great to see your comment.
ReplyDeletei love this tutorial... very helpful for the amateur photographer
ReplyDeleteLove the colours Carla. Simply stunning. I have a light table just like the one shown but let's be real...............the results will never look like this. Though I do admit the set-up and those umbrella lights sure make it look like it-lol! Thanks for the Italy input doll, change of plans,,,,,,,,going to horseback ride in the desert, do that cowgirl line dancing, and a hot air balloon. Cowgirl for a week, yahoo! XOXO
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Carla, I am going to try this in a few weeks when I am not on my current photo project. Thanks for the comments on my blog too they mean alot. I am trying to master the art of following your tips without the profesional gear.mmm I have to get creative xx Corrina PS its the dead opposite here in my neck of the woods (Australia) today the sun is blindingly bright and steaming hot!I guess that can also be a problem for pics but good for indoors shots.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Carla, I am going to try this in a few weeks when I am not on my current photo project. Thanks for the comments on my blog too they mean alot. I am trying to master the art of following your tips without the profesional gear.mmm I have to get creative xx Corrina PS its the dead opposite here in my neck of the woods (Australia) today the sun is blindingly bright and steaming hot!I guess that can also be a problem for pics but good for indoors shots.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful artistic photos
ReplyDeleteAh blogger didn't like me this morning. I wrote a comment and it didn't work. We're friends again it seems :) Thank you for visiting my blog, it was lovely to see your name pop up again. This tutorial is fantastic. After the hot Aussie spring (make that summer) day here, the photo of foggy cool trees is very appealing! A seat with some hot chocolate and cheese would be perfect there! But I must admit we've just come home from a long warm night walk and it is nice to be in a singlet and shorts! Hope you are well! Are you coming home for Christmas?
ReplyDeleteWonderful tutorial and lovely blog, Thanks for a great read!!!
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