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Still Lifes Take on a New Life

8/30/2016

4 Comments

 
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.

Photograph of Hibiscus flower with barley, wheat, hops background
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!

Photograph of a mortar and pestle with rice, tomatoes, jalapenos, and cilantro around it
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.




4 Comments
Anne D.
9/2/2016 05:01:44 pm

Such pretty images! I love the juxtaposition of colors and textures in the wheat beer photo.

Thank you, too, for the encouraging words about creativity. The world needs more of that these days.

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Chris Fedderson link
9/2/2016 06:35:52 pm

Hello Anne,

Thanks for the compliment on my images. Colors and textures are one of the predominant considerations when I compose.

Everyone is creative in some way or another! I hear so often people say they're not creative because they can't paint a picture. Well, I can't either. In fact, I can't even draw a decent stick man! But that doesn't mean I'm not creative. I am, just in another way.

So each person has to discover his/her personal, specific artistic ability. It might be in whipping up a culinary delight from left-overs. Or they can move and dance in a delightful, flowing way -- all ad lib. Or they can write a can't-put-it-down, real page-turner How-To book.

C'mon, everyone, discover yourselves!

--Chris

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Ed Goode
9/7/2016 07:47:05 am

Beautiful images in all of your blog posts, a clear example of the difference between a photographer and someone who uses photography as their palette to create art work. Even mastering the technical challenges of the equipment does not elevate you to the level of "artist". All of your stuff ... beautifully done and creatively expressed!

Reply
Chris Fedderson link
9/7/2016 08:39:52 pm

Thank You, Ed, for such a glowing response! [would you put that in writing?... Oh, you just did! ;-) ] It is so encouraging to me when a viewer of my work is so struck by it that they respond as you have. It means that I have really succeeded in reaching another person. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I do hope I can continue to create more images that are equally compelling.

Thanks, again,

--Chris

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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.

    With my photography, I explore intricate textures, repeating patterns, visual rhythms, and the emotion inherent in the infinite occurrences of Nature’s minutia. I find these are the fascinating, fundamental elements that integrate into our cohesive, synergistic — and essential — ecosystem.

    It is my hope and my goal that my viewers will gain not only an immediate connection with my images, but that this relationship will be forever evolving within their hearts as they bring a never-ending flow of life experiences to every viewing.



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