I can’t recall where I shared the iphone Hipstamatic version of this lampshade, but it struck me as interesting enough that day that I also made a picture with my Panasonic Lumix. I love this little camera! It’s almost always with me when the big cameras aren’t, like my iphone. So why then if I was at home, was I using it? Because it’s just simpler, faster, and fits with the Miksang style of photography I’ve enjoyed in between my other style of photographic work. What struck me most was the light – in our new place, a bungalow, we have cross-lighting with windows on all sides vs. the townhouse we had before. This has allowed us different types of light throughout the day and we are enjoying that so much. This was the light in January; I will have to wait until next year for light like this on the lamp again as the sun has now shifted and doesn’t do the same thing in this window. So I’m really glad I made the picture when I did!
“It’s just a lampshade”, you might say – but then again, it’s art! Lines, patterns, shapes and forms – it’s all there in one monochromatic photograph. That’s what I saw – beyond the fact that it’s a lampshade.
The color-yet-almost-black-and-white image was converted using Nik’s Silver Efex Pro via Lightroom. If you like working with black and white conversions, this is excellent software to do this. Easy interface, highly selective control over the results. It’s indispensable in my workflow for black and white images. Save 15% by clicking on the product name here and entering the code BTHARP at checkout. This discount works for all their products.
Thank you so much, John! I truly appreciate the feedback and your comments to Nichole in your note. Have fun with Topaz!
Brenda,
Your presentation on the Topaz webinar was excellent. It is clear that you love what you do and for good reason. I love what you do!! I should have copied you on the email I sent to Nichole but am now copying it for you information below:
“Nichole,
Nicole,
Today’s Topaz webinar was one of the best if not the best I have had the pleasure of viewing.
This is not to say that I have not been appreciative of previous webinars and presenters
because I certainly am.
I own your bundle all the products Brenda demonstrated. Her presentation will go a long way in helping me
to get the most use from your great products.
Her presentation was wonderful and I do hope you convince her to do more
which will be extremely valuable in motivating us and enhancing the interest and usage of
the Topaz products even further.
John Italiane
brenda–
just saw your topaz webcast. great. i’ve enjoyed simplify a lot over the years, but combining it with adjust never occured to me. thanks
Dallas Photographer Les Wollam
Thank you Les, for attending and commenting here. Glad you enjoyed it!
Form without midtones. Black and white depth, amazing.
Yeah, graphics, ya gotta love them! It’s got texture too on that right edge. I just thought about that.
Brenda, Wonderful graphic study. These type of images always interest me because they are abstract, yet organized and invoke the mind much differently than other types of photography.
Well seen and captured. All the best.
Thank you Jerry and great to hear from you! In this busy world with so many blogs, websites, and our own work/photography it’s hard to keep on top of it all and I appreciate the visit/comment. Hope you are doing well and having a good Spring ‘run’ at picture-making!
Cool picture! And, you’re right, it is art…… What lens did you use with the Lumex? Just curious as I purchased a Sony NEX 5N about a month ago and so far I’m very pleased with the image quality. It has the same processor size as my 7D which makes it nice in low light. But the big, big plus is it is so light weight I carry it almost all the time.
Thanks for another wonderful image.
Hi Lin, oh this was done with a simpler Lumix than what you’re thinking – this was the compact digital fixed zoom lens version. I am thinking about the next step up Lumix bodies, though. I hear great things about them and the lens options.
Thanks, JB – perhaps because we had just moved and the lamp and the light were all ‘new’ in that sense I saw it – but so often we don’t, when it’s under our noses everyday. Am I going to have to top your picture after you top mine? ha ha. I will wait with bated breath for your picture… 🙂
Awesome. Gives me a great idea for a shot in my house I see everyday and don’t bother taking! 🙂
I like this very much, a great abstract that you can look at and see many things depending on mood…it’s art…would not have known it was a lamp shade, but you gave that away….
Thanks, Nancy! I thought about not ‘giving it away’ but the flip side of that idea is that it shows how an everyday item can become such art! Thank you for visiting and commenting.