8 January 2018 - From the dinner table to art

One of the things I love most about photography is the fact that it's made me see the world in a different way. I now look at the world around me and notice the way objects are sculpted by light, be it a shaft of sunshine or the way light can create a three dimensional effect. For many years I've admired the still life images of Edward Weston. Here is a man who could create art from something as mundane as a pepper or a piece of cabbage, simply by the use of light. I recently came across the story of how he lit his iconic Pepper No.30, with an astonishing four hour exposure and this inspired me to have another attempt to create my own interpretation. I didn't feel the need for an exposure this long, largely because I don't have a lens with an aperture as small as f240.  However, my exposure did run into several seconds, allowing me to paint some light in with a torch. To increase the sculptural effect I've done quite a lot of dodging and burning too - more than I normally would. I'm sure Edward Weston would laugh at my low budget effort but I'm pleased with the end result and wouldn't mind hanging it on my wall - after I've eaten the evidence, of course!