I wanted to do something truly different, but I didn't have any ideas. So I decided to do a "still life with bird"
It takes a couple of hours to do a shoot like this. First you need to get the birds used to your props. I started out with the backdrop hung over the deck railing. Once the birds were used to that, then I had to steal my husband's bedside table. Are they used to that yet? Yup. Now add the binoculars and books. That was quicker than I thought. Now the light. Hmmmmm... they're not so crazy about that. What?? They're landing on the lamp shade?? But the top of the lampshade is out of the picture, because the deck railing doesn't go that high, so there's no background there!
ooooooh!!! Please, please don't go to the bathroom on my beautiful lamp shade! You didn't? I'm so glad!
Couple hours later, shoot is done, I have two options:
I didn't bother turning on the light, because it was extremely bright sunlight, and it wouldn't have showed up anyway.
3 days later -- Quick! Overcast morning!! Grab the table, grab the light, where's the books and the binoculars! Do we have a long extension cord? Yes? Oh good!
Please hold still when you land, birds... there really isn't very much light this morning... Thanks!
Got something I liked -- entered it.
Sunday morning. Ooooh!! An idea! Artwork interacting with bird! Daughter draws artwork. Bird lands on artwork:
Want bird to land in front of artwork, have interaction. Bird lands there once. Wait a second... it's a patio table. This doesn't work! Try a white piece of paper under artwork to create a seamless white background with cat.
Here bird! Here birdie bird!! Bird? Ummmm... hey bird... where are you bird?
All gone bird. 2 hours later. Still no bird. Took away white paper. Tried 3 hours later. No birds. Did I scare them away forever? Sad face...
At least I have the still life with bird. Entered it. But do I have any birds ever again?
Monday morning. Birds are back!! Yay birdies!
Statistics
Place: 2 out of 76 Avg (all users): 6.9573 Avg (commenters): 8.5000 Avg (participants): 6.5833 Avg (non-participants): 7.1235 Views since voting: 3938 Views during voting: 233 Votes: 117 Comments: 34 Favorites: 7 (view)
Congratulations. Personally, I much prefer your outtake with the artwork and bird juxtaposition (and the other outtakes as well). It impresses due to the life it exudes where as your entry impresses do to the fit and finish of the craftmanship. Too bad both couldn't exist in the same picture but both are pretty good in their own right.
I was away all week and didn't get a chance to vote in this challenge but I know I would have given this a high score! Love it, beautiful, so glad you ribboned. (much better than my still life with a bird I know that for sure!!)
Congratulations on the yellow an inspired shot. I think you should change your user name to Snow White cos you have a way of charming the Forrest critters.
Dreams of a Nature Lover
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