Post Yer Still Lifes take 2

[Gonzo]

ITHPS. It's the horizontal planes Stupid.

Thanks for this useful post!

[jb7]

Thanks Christopher-
between this and other posts on the subject
you do a wonderful job of demystifying the subject.

ITHPS- thanks for the personal touch too-

[cjbroadbent]

Yes it was Mark Sawyers plane that set me off. I feel honored by the response. I've got another bee in my taxi-driver's bonnet about 'light first and the structure will look after itself' sort of thing. I'll try it out over Xmas.

[Mark Sawyer]

Yes it was Mark Sawyers plane that set me off. I feel honored by the response. I've got another bee in my taxi-driver's bonnet about 'light first and the structure will look after itself' sort of thing. I'll try it out over Xmas.

I'm always happy to set people off! My approach to composition is to keep it unobtrusive and andequate to serve whatever (usually bad) idea that is going on. Planes, lines forms, proportions, tones, balances and counterpoints, textures, and just plain old (how does it look on the ground glass". Sometimes there's an homage to another image or tradition, sometimes there's another meaningless significance to why things are where they are...

Light and lenses are like gourmet food and wine, to be appreciated and matched to the occassion...

[Gonzo]

Time for new input. This one needs some additional explanation for all non-dutch people...

While the whole world is preparing for Christmas with Santa's and Christmas socks, in Holland we celebrate a different tradition: 'Sinterklaas' (Saint Nicolas).

Sinterklaas is a Bishop who travels from Spain to Holland by steam boat every year to bring all children presents. He has lots of helpers, called 'Zwarte Pieten' (Black peters). Children put their shoes next to the fire place to find them filled with presents the next morning.

Sinterklaas rides a white horse on top of the roofs and together with the black peters they deliver the presents and candy through the chimney. Many children put carrots and hay in their shoes for the horse.

This still life depicts some elements connected with the celebration: the shoe with the carrots, some black peters, the hat of Sinterklaas and traditional candy (note the chocolate 'S', people give each other chocolate letters with the first letter of their name).

You probably noted the similarity with the whole Santa Claus tradition. Guess what: Sinterklaas is actually the basis for Santa Claus. It was probably inherited from Dutch immigrants in the US. The USA just did a better job in commercializing it...

For anyone interested: Wiki

[csant]

8x10 colour paper negative.

More info and larger version at the Flickr page.

[cjbroadbent]

135mm Sironar on 4x5 Ektachrome.

[jim kitchen]

Great images everyone...

I must say Christopher; your images and their visual balance are outstanding.

The attached image happens to be my kick at the can within this thread, and although I do not have a studio or more than two square meters of incremental floor space, it is amazing what a few worn sheets, and a makeshift table top can do for you. The vase was in the dining room, and my camera happened to be in the kitchen.

jim k

Untitled, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 2009

[Allen in Montreal]

Jim,
That is a very beautiful 'kick at the can".
I agree with you Chris B, his work is always stunning and an inspiration.

[Mike1234]

Nice, Jim. Love the textures and tones. Sweet lighting. Lots of depth.