shellscape in a bowl

[ashcroft]

Some shells that I collected on our local beach in a pottery bowl. A diffused single studio flash head was the only light (no ambient). The bowl rested on a sheet of white art paper, and as the light was on the left it cast a soft shadow to the right. I selected the whole area outside the bowl and applied the graphic pen filter in Photoshop to give the image a more graphical input.

Comments welcome. Best viewed in the lightbox.

1/100s f/18 ISO100 Canon 5DM2 Canon 100m macro

[Shadowman]

Nice, colors and patterns would work with almost any crop.

[Nicks Pics]

This was an artistic idea. Not sure how you came up with it. A beautiful collection of shells.

[GBO25]

Great idea, nice shot. My preference for crop would include all the shells but I can see that would probably cause the edge of the plate to begin to appear in the top left corner which might not be so good.

[IzzieK]

I don't like shadow but I like the idea...and the shell. I was expecting something else I think...which I captured with a glass of wine.

[Downrigger]

This is to me a very interesting and distinctive treatment, Rob. I like the very bold conception of the eccentric cropping - this, along with the graphic pen elevates this from a picture of some shells in a bowl to a very personal artistic effort.

[Suzan J]

Hi Rob: This is a very nice artistic rendering which works quite well with the textures of the shells.

[ashcroft]

I like the very bold conception of the eccentric cropping - this, along with the graphic pen elevates this from a picture of some shells in a bowl to a very personal artistic effort.

I often do that - deliberately create a different look to the subject. It's surprising how different you can make the 'ordinary' look. Thanks for the good comment.

[Barbara Ponder]

I like the shot very much! I could see it printed large and adorning the wall of a luxury beach house.