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After days of taking stuff that was, for want of a better term, mostly crap, I finally managed to take some decent shots yesterday. We went over to my father’s house for Easter and I took a few things that I’ll probably put over the next few days including this shot of his piano. What made me smile about this shot when I was working on it was that it didn’t require any spot editing. Whenever I take a shot of a reflective surface in our house I often need to spend a few minutes polishing it first. With four kids in the house (sometimes five) just about anything with an altitude of four feet or less nearly always has a fingerprint or two, or biscuit crumbs, or some other foreign body stuck to it, so it was really quite fascinating to wander around a house that gleams from top to bottom ;-)

I did intend to take some photographs that didn’t include reflections, as I seem to be rather stuck on this theme at the moment, but I really like how this one turned out – it seems pleasantly simple and, for some reason that I can’t really figure out, it seems like a really peaceful image (if that makes sense).

camera
capture date
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
focal length
image quality
white balance
optical filter
Canon G5
6.28pm on 11/4/04
f2.5
1/13
program AE
+0.0
evaluative
50
17.6mm
RAW
auto
B+W UV 010
 
4x3
comment by Houser at 08:58 PM (GMT) on 12 April, 2004

OMG - that shot is off the hoook!! Simply clean and you get the feeling of Sunday dinner - well, maybe it's just me.

comment by Judith Polakoff at 01:42 AM (GMT) on 13 April, 2004

This is a gorgeous photo aesthetically. I think you really captured the feeling (in terms of the tactile sensation) of the surfaces here, as you do in so many of your photos, which is the outstanding feature of your style that always keeps me coming back for more. On the other hand I feel a bit like Houser on this one, that "maybe it's just me" because I have so many positive associations with the piano, and so it's difficult to be objective on this one. In any event, I really like this image.

comment by bob at 03:30 AM (GMT) on 13 April, 2004

Really wonderful image... I'll be in London next week - I'm looking forward to shooting under the English sun :-)

I'm always amazed by your images... do you do much Photoshop manipulation? I really have to get with the program and figure out how to use it...

comment by myla at 07:19 AM (GMT) on 13 April, 2004

I love this -- it's so awesome that I feel like I can actually feel the smoothness of the keys, and the groove on top that makes the black ones narrower to the touch. It's beautiful.

On a side note, the little fingerprints and crumbs are precious too. . . if only because they were left there by those you love.

comment by Simon C at 09:21 AM (GMT) on 13 April, 2004

This is a very calm and peaceful image. For me it's also in danger of crossing into bland - certainly in comparison to your reflections shots which I liked as they exuded life.

I can relate to your comments. Little things like dust and fingerprints can make a mess of these types of images. I find them hard work. I always seem to forget to review the scene properly and end up with something undesirable in the frame.

comment by Tudy at 11:51 AM (GMT) on 13 April, 2004

Makes me want to take lessons. :-) beautiful!

comment by amanda at 01:43 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2004

oh how gorgeous

your photographs... sigh

comment by bsag at 02:38 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2004

This image has *such* a nice feel to it. I find it difficult to put my finger on exactly gives it that feel, but just looking at it makes me breathe deeply and relax ;-)

comment by djn1 at 05:08 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2004

Thanks.

And bsag: no, I'm not sure quite what gives it that feel either, but that's the effect it has on me too.

comment by Matt at 11:05 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2004

Wow if I don't come here every day I'm missing out. The last few pictures have been brilliant. THis one too!