I have been admiring all the wonderful pear images that came along in the Start to Finish photography group over the last couple of weeks. (I am doing a still life photography course). What a lot of loveliness 🙂 Most of you used the pears really well to make moody earthy images. I absolutely love that look, but right now I am after some light and airy photos to use in a new WordPress theme that we will be releasing soon. So I took up the challenge to try to take some light pear photos.
We have many types of pears here at our local market in town, most homegrown and sold by the people who picked them. The ones I like best are the gorgeous yellow pears with the red pinkish blush. I suspected they would be shy and might not like having their picture taken. So I asked them and they said they wouldn’t mind but they could not guarantee that they would be able to keep a straight face. So here they are, all rosy-cheeked and girlish.
During most of the shoot the sun was behind the clouds, but at some point the sun started to come out which gave the pears a golden glow. I am trying to shoot images that are quite wide so I can include them as banner images with my themes, but the composition is a real challenge for me! Easier to crop smaller squares out of images, which is what I did with the other image. The banner image fades to pure white on the right. I guess that isn’t how it should be (?), but for what I intend to use the image for (as a banner on a white background) it might still work well.
For the two first images in this post I used a texture for the very first time 🙂 Hello Texture Tuesday🙂 I used Kim’s tuesday texture, soft light at 68% & 70% and brushed the texture of the pear. It made the image even lighter.
How do you start your shoots? Do you have an image in your mind that you are trying to create, a feel or a look and then just start experimenting and shooting? Does the image then become what you had in mind or do you find something else, something better?
Great still life and the light and airy feel is just right. Visiting from Texture Tuesday.
‘Thank you for your visit Viv 🙂
Gosh, this is just beautiful Helena!! I love the light airy look…it is one of my favorites. I enjoy using LR and PS for making an image either light and airy, or darker and moody. As for starting out in a shoot…many times I am simply inspired by the subject and work with props I have on hand, or maybe look at colors. If the light is right, I lean toward the light, airy look. If I’m using darker wood backgrounds, I go more for the moodier ones. I’ve never yet accomplished replicating what I’ve seen in another’s photo, but it gives me something to “shoot” for. I look forward to what you do with your light airy pear images – which are stunning!!
Thanks so much for visiting Beverly, and for sharing your process. The whole conversation has really got me thinking about the WordPress themes I am creating. I am seriously considering producing a light and an earthy version for each theme, maybe even the possibility to change the themes look according to the seasons 🙂 New ideas!!
Your pears are wonderful! The pinkish blush color is perfect for a light and airy photo. I love the depth of field in your bottom image. When I have something I want to take a picture of, I usually think of what background would work first, then add props from around my house. As I look at the images while shooting, I find what I thought would look good in my head doesn’t always look good in a photo. The last pictures of my ‘shoots’ are usually the best because I have tweaked this and that to create an image I like. (I hope that makes sense 🙂
Thanks for sharing your process Michelle 🙂 Yes it all starts with the background, I should invest some time in finding a few more!
I love the light and airy look of your pear photos – so beautifully composed with lots of story telling elements. My favorite – the last one – from above – reminds me of making breakfast with fruits and grains.
Sometimes I have an image in my head – a sort of look I’m trying to achieve. But other times, the image evolves and takes a whole different direction. This is one of the reasons I don’t delete too many images from photo sessions – sometimes I go back months later and see an entirely different editing approach to an existing photo. So much fun!
Hi Donna, love how you describe your process, thanks so much for your feedback. I need to give myself more time to just play around and see what happens 🙂
Wonderful images. I love the light and the fresh colors in your images. Lovely!
Thanks for visiting Sheila, really appreciate it 🙂
I love the ‘pastelness’ of all the colours in your shots, very soft and pretty. I rarely start out with an image in mind but rather set a few thing up and look through the lens to see what happens. Sometimes there are happy accidents where the light & angle are just right but if often takes a lot of playing around. And sometimes it doesn’t work at all … But isn’t it great when it all comes together?
Yes it is wonderful when it works, I tend to work a bit hurried, either my little girl is around and she would like to improve the composition, or I am alone upstairs but feel a bit guilty about playing around, work is always calling 🙂 But an unhurried and playful state of mind is definitely the way to get results!
Just so perfect Helena, love the light and airy and just right for these. Your top down is so lovely. I think we all like pears to photography and these would all look wonderful on cards or framed on a kitchen wall.
Thanks so much for your kind words Barbara 🙂
What beautiful images! I love the light on your pears, they look so darn yummy and I just love the “happiness” and good mood in your photos.
Hello Carola, Love that you think my pears express happiness and a cheerful mood 🙂
Beautiful. Love the dent on the pear.
Yes it’s very wabi sabi 🙂
i love these shots! My fav is the square one.
Thank you Melinda 🙂
So soft and lovely, Helena, the light is gorgeous !
Ma favorite is the one from above !
Happy Holidays !
Sylvia
Thank you Sylvia 🙂