January 3, 2012
Ceiling Lamps Revisited
When I finish a series, I’m generally done with it and don’t add to it. It’ s nothing philosophical, I simply lose interest.
But the other day I was eating in my favorite Mexican Restaurant, the Rio Grande, and noticed this wonderful ceiling lamp. And like many ceiling lamps, it’s true beauty was only visible when viewed from directly below.
So I added a new image to the Ceiling Lamp series. Click here to view the entire series.
Cole
Nice Cole. That was a good series. Glad to see you add to it.
This one, and the entire series, illustrates what I often forget, and what E.Weston said:
“Anything that excites me, for any reason, I will photograph: not searching for unusual subject matter, but making the commonplace unusual, nor indulging in extraordinary technique to attract attention.”
Creating art by “Making the commonplace unusual”…duh!
Thanks, Cole, for the great reminder. Sam
Sam, I had never heard that quote but I love it and I agree with it wholeheartedly!
I like this one a lot….. Can you tell us how you photograph these? Hand held? Do you ask permission to come back and set up your tripod? So why did you break your rule of not adding to a series for this particular lamp? (big smile)….
Well Benoit, it really wasn’t a rule that I’d never add to a portfolio, I just never was too motivated. Call it a “short attention span” I guess!
But I had seen this lamp, and it was particularly mesmerizing from below, and I was just motivated to do it.
I normally shoot these handheld, which on the surface seems odd because I really believe in using a tripod whenever I can. (We all think we can handhold adequately, but generally a small amount of blur is introduced.)
But with these shots, you’re generally shooting at a very fast shutter speed because you’re shooting into a very bright light. Also, using a tripod in a restaurant or a retail store is not practical, there is just too much traffic.
Also, as soon as you set up a tripod you attract the attention of the manager, security guards and etc. A tripod often is the fine line between getting the shot and not getting it. As soon as they see tripod they start to ask questions and generally stop you.
I generally do not ask permission if I can shoot quietly and out of the limelight. But if the lamp is in front of the reception desk or I’ll be in the way of their business, I will ask permission. In this instance I just walked in like I was already seated and apologized to the couple sitting at the table under the lamp, and photographed quickly, in about 3 minutes.
Good questions Benoit!
Cole, I think this is a fine addition to a very engaging series!
Thank you Cole, great to hear the story behind the image. The fast shutter speed would help limit potential camera shake which is good. What a fantastic idea you had starting this series, it’s very cool…