 Introspection Chris Fedderson — MacroFine Musings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult." — Lucius Annaeus Seneca I’ve written in the past about experimenting and expanding your photographic style(s), either as a self-discovery process or simply for the fun of it (Where Does Your Brain Go? 8-9-2016). Well, I recently put my money where my mouth is with a submission to an exhibition of an image completely different from my usual — and even my not so usual — imagery. I strayed away from Nature to experiment with the mechanical/industrial side of life. I was walking around Old Town Alexandria, VA — founded 300-ish years ago — where many of the old buildings have elaborate stonework and intricate wrought iron fence and gate details. There is a marina there, too, rife with ropes and riggings and fabrics and peeling paint. And, of course, among all this city stuff, there were also modern mechanical/industrial elements; bicycle racks, street lights, modern architecture, and cars with shiny bumpers and space age-looking headlights. This is where I found my image. In looking closely at the detail of all the reflective surfaces within a headlight fixture, I saw my reflection. I wondered which of the many different points of view I saw was the “right” one? If each one represented a separate interpretation of me, then which one was most correct? Were they all correct in their own ways? Was any one of them really correct; or were they all skewed to some degree? Introspection was born. The rest of the images I shot that day were also interesting. Some showing a way of life long past. Some showing newer technologies. But to me, compared to Introspection, they were all just catalog shots. Just recordings of what I had seen. They didn’t really have much to say. No “reason for being”. No “hook”. So I learned a little something that day. By stepping outside of my box and leaving my comfort zone, I got a glimpse of me reflected in a subject I would have said I had zero affinity for. A glimpse both literal and metaphorical… Thank You for visiting, — Chris P.s. What have you tried lately that pushed your boundaries? Either photographic or otherwise. Try a new ethnic food? Go see a “weird” movie? Jump out of a plane? Let’s hear about it!
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Chris Fedderson — MacroFine Musings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have recently begun to experiment with Contemporary Still Life set-ups and will be showing these in my upcoming solo featured artist show, Curious Pairings. I thought you might like a behind the scenes look at how the process for setting up a still life works, with all the things that you have to prepare and consider. So here it is — your “Backstage Pass” to see the inner workings of how the process evolves. This is my photo studio where I do my set-ups — not too glamorous, I know! The main thing for me is the lighting in this room (3rd floor, Southwest facing). It also helps to have two tables that I can easily adjust in height or move around as needed for set-ups.  Setting Up a Contemporary Still Life This set-up started with the concept of a Rose being created with hardware and tools and the juxtaposition that would create. I started with Diamond Cut Metal for the backdrop to set the tone. Then I collected a bunch of nuts and bolts, small hand tools, and other hardware-related stuff, for my set dressing. Next I began just scooting elements around to see how they worked together and whether my concept was being portrayed in the result. Here are some of the major considerations/decisions you need to make for a set-up to create your very own Contemporary Still Life.
Wow — it’s crazy what you go through to create these sorts of images. After seeing the mess that led to it, you’ll be surprised how this ended up looking. And now… drumroll please… since you have a backstage pass you get to see the final image! Here you go!  Rose Creation Is it anything at all like what you thought it would be?
Thank you for visiting and share your backstage pass with others, — Chris P. s. Have you ever tried to do a set-up in your studio? Share the experience! Chris Fedderson — MacroFine Musings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One of the things I routinely like to photograph is tree bark. It offers such variety in texture, color, and scale. Bark is ever-changing and you can capture really great images all year long, in all kinds of weather conditions. There so much variety in bark — the peeling, the cracking, the swirling patterns, smooth and rough patches, intersecting veins, and the amazing colors when the light hits it just right.  "Map of a Tree" -- Chinese Elm I have a favorite tree that I found one year while hiking in Mason Neck State Park in Virginia. I have been revisiting this same tree for several years now.
The tree was a dual-trunked specimen and it split in two, with each half falling in opposite directions. It has been amazing to revisit this tree to view the changes, the decomposition, the fungus, and the new weathering bark and wood patterns that have developed. Now, several years later, I’m still finding new, intriguing sections to photograph. Since I always shoot macro and close-up images, another great advantage to photographing bark is that you can shoot in any wind conditions. Unheard of for macro! (If that bark is waving in the wind then you’ve got bigger problems than just getting a great shot!) Here are a few tips and things for you to try when photographing bark.
Speaking of all things bark — this month at the Workhouse Art Center you can see my un-official showing All About the Bark. I have images of: Chinese Elm, River Birch, Royal Palm, the afore-mentioned fallen tree, and more. Hope you drop by for a visit, now through October 2nd. Thank You for visiting, — Chris P.s. What’s your favorite subject matter? Why do you find this subject to be so interesting? What difficulties to shooting does it present? Share with us, we’d love to hear about your experiences. Chris Fedderson — MacroFine Musings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have recently started experimenting with setting up Contemporary Still Lifes — not bowls of fruit or vases of flowers; my Still Lifes have taken on a New Life. These studio set-ups, or dioramas, combine various elements, not usually associated with each other, into a single story-telling image. And this is not easy! I’m in the habit of letting Nature do my set-ups, then all I need to do is snap a photo! ;-) That was obviously a bit — a lot(!) — of an over-simplification. Just as with my outdoor-based photography, where all the rules of composition, visual flow, coordination of colors and elements, background considerations, scale, story-telling, etc., come into play, all these rules also apply to these studio set-ups and need to be followed … or intentionally broken. And all this just to set up the scene.  Join me for a cool, refreshing glass of Hibiscus Wheat Beer! Next, the usual second set of rules also needs to be attended to and employed. These are all the technical considerations that contribute to photographic quality: lighting, focus, depth of field, exposure, shadows, highlights, point of view, etc. This ain’t your Gramma’s bowl of fruit! This is even better! In working with these studio set-ups, I can engineer whatever story I want, using whatever elements and appliances I want without regard to preconceived associations or meanings. I can combine elements Nature would never see to put together. I can put orchids in a bird’s nest. I can pair up a hibiscus flower with malted barley, hops, and wheat stalks to depict a refreshing summer brew. I can shoot summer flowers through a sheet of ice if I want to!  A Bowl of Salsa? . . . Or Mexican Rice? You decide! You say you’re not up to the challenge of all this imagination, invention, and visualization? Hogwash! You did just this every time you played with your dollhouse or action figures or built a sand castle or snowman. You put together various elements into a single scene to tell the story you were playing in your Mind’s Eye.
So now, channel your inner-adventurer. Let your imagine go free. Get together your “things”, your visual elements, and tell us a story! Thank You for visiting, — Chris P.s. What story do you “see” that you want to tell? I know you can’t attach an image here, but give us a synopsis so we can share in your story. I invite you to come see a few stories I’ll be telling at my upcoming solo exhibit. My work will be on display from November 9th through December 4th at Arches Gallery in building 9 at the Workhouse Art Center in Lorton. |
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About Chris
I am a Virginia-based photographer and gather my images while hiking in parks and natural areas here at home and in the locations I travel to. I also love to visit arboretums and botanic gardens to find unusual and exotic subjects. Archives
March 2017
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