Tuesday 2 February 2010

Mahonia Aquifolium


I recently came across these photographs that I took about 2 years ago, I am still quite pleased with them so I thought I would share them with you.




I was doing a little gentle gardening when I came across the remains of a Mahonia bush that I had dug out because it had grown very misshapen.  The roots caught my attention due to their lovely sinuous shapes and the texture of the bark.




After some cleaning up and trimming I took them into my ‘studio’ and set about trying to make something artistic of them.  I decided to use a very short depth of focus to produce a more dramatic effect and after several attempts I came up with these.




What a great boon digital photography is when you can see your results almost instantly on a large screen and make any desired corrections right away.

14 comments:

all ways 11 o'clock said...

I like them very much as seen in a row, a small exploration.
Great stuff.
Robert

Gina said...

I love it when that happens ... its important for 'our things' to stand the test of time ...

its good when we feel that happens ...

i love the two paintings on your site that sold recently ... yum textures and colour and divisions ... nice work >>> Gina
http://fyneimages.blogspot.com/ (photos)
http://ginaseye.blogspot.com/ (my blog)
http://fyneartstreasures.blogspot.com/ (art direct from the artist)

Caterina Giglio said...

your "remains" has such fabulous line and form!

merci33 said...

yet another example of the ancient W.S. aesthetic...each image reminds me of a dancer....I love how you have them 'floating' in the picture plane.

Four Seasons in a Life said...

Hi Ian,

Is it not nice to discover things we have done in the past and find them just as viable as when we first created the work.

Thank you for sharing,
Egmont

layers said...

when you still like something you created from 2 years ago--- that really passes the test of time-- and really cements how good they are artistically-- wonderful line and texture

nancy neva gagliano said...

i agree, the passage of time in our appreciation of our own. that's been happening to me as i frame some things that have been rolled up for a little showing.

these photos are inviting, following their form, wondering at the floating feeling here. nice series.
and cameras!! i ordered a new canon g11, and it should be here by the weekend...i am so ready to get my hands on it.

Renee Howell said...

Very nice photos. I love how they float in midair. And YES - the instant magic of digital is a marvel!

Sondra said...

it is great to enjoy what we have done in the past.....but looking at these images, how could you not. just wonderful texture and dimention and color. thank you.

Leslie Avon Miller said...

I find Nature provides the very best - but we have to have the vision to see it. Clearly, you have such sensitive vision Ian. Thank you for these images.

Laura said...

I really love as someone said above the way these roots seem to float in the photos...wonderful shapes.

~Babs said...

I very much like the way you see. Your sidebar alone is a visual feast.

Seth said...

Always good to revisit what we have created in the past. These are extraordinary...unique and compelling.

Sharmon Davidson said...

I hope you don't mind my asking how you made the root seem to float. I like these photos very much, and would like to learn how to photograph objects without (seemingly) a background or supporting ground. thanks.

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