Kat Eye Studio

Archives for October 2011

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Paint the Music

Can you imagine a world without music? I can’t. As much as I love the visual arts, I love music too. What a fun combination of music + painting I found a couple of months ago, in a window in downtown Corvallis. Bringing colors and sounds together, in one place. I had fun composing this shot with all of the bits and pieces of violins visible.

Music is on my mind today, because we saw Matt Nathanson in concert last night in Portland. Hearing great music live is a favorite thing of mine. Whether a symphony orchestra at La Scala in Milan or Matt in the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, there is a different experience of hearing music live. You feel it in deep in your body, you can’t help but move. And when the whole audience loves the music and is singing along? Wow, what an energy! Music is another soul language, it short cuts the brain and connects right to your soul.

Matt is a great musician, and a fantastic entertainer. His live shows do not disappoint. This was Brandon’s first concert (that he was awake for – he slept through a Matchbox 20 concert a number of years ago), and he was so excited. As we headed home, he said his favorite song, Faster, was even “catchier” live. I think he’s got my live music bug. Maybe some will consider us irresponsible parents for taking a 10 year old to a concert on a school night, but I can’t help but believe that learning to love music is an important part of his life education too.

We had another great side benefit, being introduced to Scars on 45, the opening band. They are from England and are definitely worth a listen. I’ll leave you with a song from them today.

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Back to Bologna

Yesterday as I was writing yesterday’s Exploring with a Camera: Found Texture post I rediscovered an image for my market/wheels series. Taken over a year ago, this street scene in Bologna captured my interest for the texture, the scooter and the bustling street market. It was taken before I “discovered” my market/wheels series early last year. How many more images for this series do I have, hidden in my archives? I hope to find out.

As part of my goal to seek balance, I want to go back and sort through the thousands of images from my time in Italy. Seek a balance of working with the old and the new. Some of these images have been reviewed, edited and shared, but many, many more have not. I know I will learn more and see more with this review, both about myself and my photography. And hey, I can learn how to categorize and edit even more in Lightroom too, at the same time. Perfect.

I hope you all have a great weekend planned! I’ll be working on my website, getting it ready to launch very shortly. I would love to have you to visit me in a few places, while I’m busy working…
– Musing on “home” at Mortal Muses, with a story of quilts, handmade with love.
– An interview on the Seek Your Course blog with me.
– Today I am the “Sparkling Sponsor” for the World’s Biggest Summit. Yay! Welcome to all coming by! You can still sign up and join in this great, free class.

 

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Exploring with a Camera: Found Texture

Yay! It’s Exploring with a Camera day! After a week off exploring in Chicago I’m ready to explore with you all here on the blog. Today we’ll be diving into Found Texture in our images. At the end of the post you will find a link up to share your explorations of the topic over the next two weeks. There is a giveaway going along with this too! Keep reading to find out more.

It is no secret that I love texture in my images. I remember when I first started capturing images of texture for texture’s sake in Italy. I didn’t know what was going on, why I was drawn to capture images of peeling paint. It made no sense to me at the time! Now I know… it’s all about the texture.

In this exploration, we will be focusing on Found Texture, texture that is already existing and captured with your camera, not added texture in post-processing. Adding texture layers in post-processing is a popular and very fun way of changing your image, but that’s not the focus of this topic.

Let’s learn more about Found Texture…

What is Texture?

By my definition, a texture is found on the surface of a form. (Form is the representation of a three-dimensional object. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, visit the past Exploring with a Camera: Finding Form post.) Here’s an example to help: Consider an object in the shape of a sphere. The sphere is the form, but the surface of the sphere may be smooth, like the tomato shown below, or rough, like the orange. If you are struggling with the concept of texture vs. form, think of this way: If you can imagine an object to have a different surface texture, but the underlying form of the object stays the same, you are distinguishing texture and form.

The surface holds the texture, and the texture gives an additional dimension to our photographs, making us want to reach out and touch. Even though we can’t physically touch the objects in an image, in our imagination we can. Texture adds a tactile nature to our experience of a photograph. We know what smooth feels like in real life, so the sensory experience of smooth is added to our experience of a photograph. The texture can draw us in as a participant in the image.

Texture is not only on the surface of forms in our images. Something large and flat serving as the background of the image, such as the wall in the lead-in photo, is also a surface that can have texture. In the case of the photo above, from Chicago, you see the texture of the brick.

How many types of texture are there? Let’s see if we can make a list… smooth, rough, gritty, sticky, crumbly, bumpy, velvety, leathery, prickly… add yours to the list in the comments below. We can capture all of this texture and heighten the sensory experience in our images.

Sources of Found Texture

When you start to notice it, texture is everywhere! Nature is a great source for random texture. Since my subjects tend to be in urban environments, I looked for natural texture while camping at the beach a couple of weeks ago. I found everything from the glass-smooth texture of the receding waves, to the rough-yet-soft texture on the trunk of a tree.

Humans have learned from nature, and covered our man-made world with texture. Some of it is purposeful and functional, to hide flaws in a wall joint or increase traction in a floor. Some of the texture comes as part of the process, such as in bricks. Some of the man-made texture in our world is purely for artistic beauty. The texture in the floor tiles below was created to be both artistic and functional.
The one thing I’ve noticed, however, is that man-made texture doesn’t have the same randomness as nature. Humans like patterns and processes, and our created textures usually have some sort of repeating pattern. Sometimes it is obvious, as in the floor image above, and sometimes not so obvious. Consider the texture that may be applied to a wall, there is a limit to the size and depth of the bumps you find. There is some randomness within the texture, but the overall texture is controlled.
When you add nature, in the form of time and weather, acting on the mad-made texture you get more natural randomness. I think that’s why I, along with so many other photographers, like to photograph “urban decay.” The added elements of time, weather and neglect increase the random texture in the images of everyday objects. It adds dimension and interest.
Capturing Texture

Now that you’re seeing texture everywhere, what is the best way to capture it? As in capturing form, texture will appear differently in different light. Bright sunlight will create stronger shadows and light/dark highlight of texture, while shady or diffused light will create more subtle highlights of the texture. This wall below, found in Chicago, is an interesting study of light and texture since it’s both in sun and shade. You can see how the sunlight enhances the texture.
You can see a similar effect in this image from Greece as well, as part of the wall is in sun and part is in shade. There are multiple textures in this image from more than just the light, however, with the texture of the wall, rope and door adding to the tactile nature of the image.

Along with light, color has a great impact on how we perceive texture in an image. Texture can be enhanced or overwhelmed by color. Color is useful to highlight texture when the light is non-directional or the texture is very subtle compared to the overall subject being photographed. In the case of the staircase in Portugal, the light is very diffuse so the texture of the wall is communicated by the color gradation. You can still “see” the texture, through the color variations.

Color can also dominate to the point that texture recedes in terms of visual information. Consider the image of the oranges shown earlier in this post. What do you notice first? Likely, the complementary color is the first thing you notice. The texture of the oranges, basket, vase and table are noticed second. To highlight or study texture, working with monochromatic images can help. The image of the driftwood below, converted to black and white, further enhances the texture of the splintery wood. The range of tones from light to dark are what provide the texture information, since the light is fairly even.

The image below from Burano has color, but it still monochromatic. This allows the form and texture in the image to be the subject. While diffuse, the light is still directional and highlights the texture and form.

Using Texture in Images

Now that you are thinking of what texture is, where to find it and how to capture it, let’s look at a few different ways of using texture in images.  One way of using texture is to capture it as the subject. This wall in Bologna was so interesting, I captured it just for the texture. Layers upon layers of different textures are visible.

The same with this wall in Greece, texture is the main subject. In both cases, I’ve included an architectural element to help ground the image in reality, but that is not necessary if you are capturing texture for texture’s sake. Textures create great abstract images.

Often, I find that I use texture as the “backdrop” in the image. The lead-in photo is one example. In the case of this scene in Burano, the texture of the wall is a backdrop for the scene with the chair and pot.
This textured wall in Torcello is the backdrop against which the tree, window and architectural fragment are arranged. The wall is not the subject, but the texture enhances the interest in the image and ties the elements together.

Creating contrast with texture is a great way to increase the interest in a photo. In the image below of the sea weed at the beach, the gritty sand contrasts with the smooth, rubbery surface of the sea weed.

The worn walls and steps contrast with the smooth, round pots, both in color and texture, in the image below from Varenna. The color and texture contrast, along with the lines of the steps, draw your eye directly to the pots of pretty flowers.
Summary

It’s time to start exploring Found Texture on your own! Here’s a quick review of the topics covered:
  • What: Texture is found on the surface of form, and gives a tactile dimension to images.
  • Sources: Nature, man-made and aged-man-made objects and surfaces are all possible sources of texture.
  • How: Light along with color (presence or absence) and tone can be used to convey the texture.
  • Ways to use: Texture can be the subject, a backdrop or used for contrast in an image.
There is so much more to texture, I look forward to learning from you as you share your images! You can link in below, the link up will be open through 3-November. As an added bonus, I am giving away a set of my “Texture” postcards! When you link in your texture image, you will be entered in the drawing to win.



FYI – Links will be moderated. Please use a permalink, ensure that your linked image is on topic, and include a link back to this site in your post through the Exploring with a Camera button (available here) or a text link. Thanks!

 

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A Morning at the Museum

Art on a rainy morning, what could be better? While in Chicago, I had a morning free to visit the Art Institute of Chicago. A wonderful place! The first major art museum I’ve visited since returning back to the US. I enjoyed the opportunity to see some new works of some of the painters I came to appreciate while in Europe, and learn more about American artists as well. The museum allows photos too – a very happy day for me!! My experience of art is always deepened if I can capture it with my camera.

Since I had limited time and I know what periods of art I like, I focused my visit on specific areas. American Modern Art (1900-1950), European Modern Art (1900-1950), and Contemporary Art (1945-1960). I also popped through Contemporary Art (1960 and later), Architecture and Design (special exhibit on Bertrand Goldberg), and Photography (although they were resetting the photography exhibit and most of it wasn’t open – sad!).

As always, I was drawn to abstracts with bright colors. Paintings that highlight gradations and transitions between color in unusual ways attract me. A new find this trip was German painter Franz Marc, I loved this painting called The Bewitched Mill. Very much like my favorite Italian Futurists of a similar time. I am always drawn to the art of 1900-1920 or so.

I just loved his use of color! Isn’t it gorgeous?

It was also fabulous to see more of Georgia O’Keefe’s work in the American section, she has a style that has always appealed to me. I was pleasantly surprised by how large the museum’s Impressionist collection was! It was great to see more of Monet’s water lilies, and Cezanne’s still lifes, among many others. I also very much enjoyed seeing these two paintings by Mary Cassatt. I’ve seen them before in texts but they are beautiful in person. She had such an amazing way of portraying everyday moments.
I left the museum refreshed and inspired. There is something about art, specifically painting, that just speaks to my soul. What a wonderful opportunity to connect with this again!

Emily, this last one is just for you. (Bueller… ? Bueller… ?)

PS – Lightroom 3 Update: I edited all of these in Lightroom this morning! I’ve had absolutely no instruction (books are on their way!) but I’m finding it intuitive to use and in some ways much simpler than Photoshop Elements. I will keep you posted as I progress!

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Connections


Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.
— Albus Dumbledore in JK.Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I saw that flighty temptress in Chicago, in this sculpture at the edge of Millennium Park. I know it was her, because I’ve seen her before, in the work of my dear friend Carissa. She introduced me to that quote above and the temptress in her painting below, started at the Do What You Love retreat in May.
The Flighty Temptress, Adventure by Carissa

Isn’t that cool? I love to find connections like this. Similar themes or styles or ideas between artists in dramatically different places and times. It makes the art I found on the streets of Chicago more real to me, because I saw a connection to a friend in it. And then, of course, I had to capture it, edit it and share it – making my own art and my own connection to the flighty temptress as well.

Here’s another cool connection I’ve been meaning to share, between my online friend Angie and I. She created this lovely stitched piece, inspired by a photo I posted here. I love how she took the basic elements of color, line and shape from the photo and interpreted it in the fabric and stitching.

Bollards and Ropes by Angie

Creating art is a cycle of connection and inspiration. There is nothing wholly new, we are all influenced by the world around us. Our contact with other art and artists can’t help but show up in our work. The cool thing is in how it shows up – we change it, give it our own twist. We share our own unique vision of the world.

Do you have stories of connection and inspiration between yourself and other artists? It would be fun to have you share them here!

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Lines and Balance

Downtown Chicago is all about lines. Straight, angled, and sometimes curvy lines. Lines soaring to the sky and back down again. For my few days in Chicago last week I was in the downtown area the whole time. In between the convention I attended, I managed to take in a few sights… an architecture cruise on the river, Millennium Park, and the Art Institute. I would have loved to spend more time there, getting to know the city. I barely scratched the tourist surface. The bottom line – I’ll just have to go back!

Today’s image is one of the first edited with my brand new toy – Lightroom 3. My birthday is today and this software is now installed on my computer as a birthday gift from my family. I have had this growing urge to learn something new in the last couple of months and Lightroom came out as the winner as I looked into software. Apart from the overwhelming nature of learning a new program, I can tell this is going to be fun! You will likely be seeing all sorts of crazy edits here, as I learn the software and play around. Like any new technique, I’ll go overboard and then will settle into my style again eventually. That’s just the way I learn.

I can also tell, I haven’t been doing enough of this – playing and spending time on my art. I haven’t found a good balance yet between all of the things I want to do in life as an artist/engineer/mom/friend, and I tend to overwhelm myself with “to do” lists. Finding balance is something that will be a big focus for me in the coming days and weeks. My birthday reminds me I’m a Libra, Bilancia in Italian, and the scales are my symbol.

Change is coming. Not just because it’s a new year for me. Not just because I have the new website (still!) in the works. Not just because of the season. Change is coming for me because I need to find a new balance point. The scales have tipped too far.

 

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