I wanted to capture something "summer-y" and minimalist to commemorate the impending end of summer and the slow downhill slide to the dead of winter. What better way than with a nice sandy beach and a seashell or two? The only problem with that is I'm in Milwaukee and nowhere near the ocean. Oh sure, we have Lake Michigan. And with the right light and conditions, the lake water can look just like a Caribbean beach in a photograph. But that wasn't today. What to do? My solution involved a white foam core backdrop, natural light from a window, and a pen light. I was planning on creating the blue sky and sandy beach colors in Photoshop, but as luck would have it, the blended colors of the natural and artifical lights worked together well to create the two-toned look in camera. All I had to do was enhance what was there. The light from the window camera left acted as a large warm softbox. With just that natural light, the window just barely lit the scene at a 20 second exposure. So I used the pen light to "light paint" the shell and fill in the rest of the lighting. Finally in Photoshop, along with my normal color-correction and contrast adjustments, I added just a slight bit of texture.
Everytime I walk through this arch in the park near our home on Milwaukee's East Side, I think of an old TV show. And some of you may have guessed which one just from the title of this blog post. (Geeks.) The entrance to the Rotary Centennial Arboretum is quite magical, especially for being in the middle of the city. There are no visible man-made objects other than the stone archway. No wonder I think of otherworldly TV shows when I'm there. For those that haven't figured it out, the TV show is Star Trek. And the particular episode is the Harlan Ellison penned, "The City on the Edge of Forever." (Yes, I am a geek.) It is arguably the best episode of the original series. I guess it is appropriate too that I'm shooting something Trek-like on it's 50th anniversary. So, if you are ever in Milwaukee, make sure to visit the arboretum and the stone arch. And if you haven't seen it (even if you have!), do yourself a favor and watch "The City on the Edge of Forever". Day 344 of my 365 photo a day project. Copyright 2016 Scott Norris Photography scottnorrisphotography.com
"Each man should frame life so that at some future hour fact and his dreaming meet." --Victor Hugo Day 342 of my 365 photo a day project. Copyright 2016 Scott Norris Photography scottnorrisphotography.com
